Newbie, pls help- High Total Alk and low pH !

[Philpj]

Hi, Pls help. I am a new pool owner. I got a gift of a vinyl round pool from my daughter and am having trouble getting the chemical levels right. I took a sample into my local pool people and they told me my pH level was too acidic so I bought two bags of Calcium Carbonate?? On their recommendation and after diluting in water, added them to the pool. I then took a sample into them two days later and they said my pH was okay but my total alkaline was way too high, approx 240ppm. I bought a gallon of acid from them and added a quart a day for two days, half a gal in total. My total alk is now down to 160ppm but my pH has also dropped to 6.8. I believe my total alk should be below 120ppm and my pH should be approx 7.3. I am not sure if their advice is correct as everyone I speak to in the store seems to have different advice to offer and I am confused. Thanks in advance for your help. They calculated my water to be approx 6000 gallons.