I recently bought/moved into a house with a chlorine pool. Looking for where to start on learning how to maintain.

So far I have just been adding chlorine tablets 1x per week and cleaning filters as well as brushing and cleaning several times a week. Need to shock it this week.

Need to learn how to do the chemical tests (alkalinity, etc).

TIA

Moore42, if you are in or can get to the Cypress area I'll give you my TF100 test kit.

Nothing wrong with it, just don't need it.
We use a pool service now

I'll third the TF100 test kit and second troublefreepool.com as great resources for figuring out what to do. The TF100 kit has the instructions for each test right on the box.

When we bought our house (16 years ago), we actually paid Leslie's to come out and do an onsite pool school as we knew nothing about the pump/filter/heater system or maintaining chemicals. Every couple of years, we would have an issue with yellow algae and pay about $150 for all of the chemicals at Leslie's each time.

I don't know this for sure, but I suspect the recurring yellow algae issue was due to using the chlorine tablets which continually add a small amount of cyanuric acid to your pool water. I'm oversimplifying (read more at troublefreepool) but if the cyanuric acid is too high, 'normal' levels of chlorine are ineffective and algae can start growing.

Did a pool remodel (replaster and replaced equipment) about 7 years ago and troublefreepool was very helpful in learning how to get started up with no issues. The folks there also converted me to using mostly liquid chlorine (either Clorox bleach or now Home Depot sells a 10% chlorine liquid that is pretty cost effective) for my chlorine source. I still use the tablets on occasion (winter and during vacations) but try to minimize usage.

The only chemicals I buy for the pool are:
-Clorox bleach (6.05%) or HD 10% chlorine for chlorine
-Muriatic acid (20%) from HD or Lowe's to lower pH - sometimes by pool stuff, sometimes by paint supplies
-Baking soda in a big bag from HD/Lowe's/Walmart/Costco to raise alkalinity - sometimes on the bulk aisle, sometimes in the baking aisle
-A big bucket of tablets from local pool store lasts me a least two years

During the hottest months, I test and adjust chlorine and pH twice a week and alkalinity once a week. During the other 9 months, I might test chlorine/pH/alkalinity once every 1-2 weeks.
The other tests in the TF100 are the calcium hardness and cyanuric acid tests. I probably only do these 2-3 times a year.

If you have a lot of water features (like I do) be aware of the out gassing issue. We have a waterfall and scuppers. My pool drinks acid, especially in the summer. Each pool has its own little quirks, as you spend more time with it you figure those out. Sounds like a wife or girlfriend, doesn't it?

http://trksend.hammacher.com/t/gfH1AAkbbC4I~QATE7BJZ6MQ~aENyCUA5aaaaENyBNVLX2aaaMQ~ENy?j=B_uFtG~amp;T=d4h0QzAu~25Eqi0REY.2YC~amp;p=JONK6JqE~25uAOK7YE.MEW~amp;b=Lt0~amp;n=~amp;1=~23

I had tried to do troublefree pool before but wasn't diligent enough and went the pool store route (i.e. testing + buying chems weekly vs self checking & chems every day or two)...

Long story short, pool store was so much more money for chems I probably didn't need and basically just jacked my CYA through the roof.

I had been so afraid of draining/refill, but over the 4th I finally had to do it.
* $49 to rent a submersible pump and 100 ft of flat hose from HD for a day
* 2-3 hours to drain (pool isn't too big)
* Most of the rest of the day to refill

Game changer.

Here's my bit of takeaway advice:

1) Test your CYA first. If it is over 100 as mine was previously, don't try to make it work - drain part of the pool.

Oh my gosh - the difference is amazing. The water actually responds to the chemicals now. Draining/refilling is so much less painful than high CYA.

2) If you have a few bucks, I HIGHLY recommend this - https://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Magnetic-Speedstir-Start-Up-Batteries/dp/B004BGPC5W
It makes the chlorine, TA & CH tests so much easier/faster.

3) Did I mention get your CYA in order. Seriously, this is the single biggest thing I've done to make my pool management easier.