low pH & low-mid chlorine level

[Newbie]

I am still learning how to take care of my pool.

How do I raise a low pH? My pool needs chlorine at the moment - when added will that help? Will shock raise pH? Or stabilizer? I just added a 5 lb. bag of stabilizer a few days ago, so I do not think that is it.

Also, how do I check the total alkalinity? The place where I get my chemicals told me to just check pH and chlorine myself and not worry about anything else. I have another "droplet" bottle that I don't use, is that for checking the alk? If so, do I check under yellow or red and how many drops do I put in?

[Pool Helper]

Raise pool water pH using pH increaser, the active ingredient being sodium carbonate.

Liquid chlorine and shock chlorine (cal hypo) will raise pH. Stabilizer will not make a noticeable difference.

You need a separate test kit to measure total alkalinity. Most test strips also include total alk.

If your total alkalinity is low then first adjust TA before pH. Total alk can be increased with sodium BIcarbonate.