NO alkalinity or acid in pool causing green, which should I fix first?

Welcome aboard M! You've come to the right place. Let me suggest you read this first and get an approved test kit on order asap. You'll need to slam so I'll add some info on that as well.

Pool Care Basics
SLAM Process
Test Kits Compared




I hope this is helpful and gets you started. I'll add more in a follow up reply. For now one last thing. Stay out of pool stores 'till you get a chance to see what methods we use. They are designed for average users like you and hundreds of thousand others. Importantly, we don't sell anything. All you get here is volunteer expert advice that's never conflicted.

Look forward to your questions and getting that pool cleaned up fast and cheap - The TFP way!

Chris
 
Major green algae. Tested pool and have ZERO alkalinity and very little acid. Which do I correct first the ACID or the ALKALINITY issue?
Welcome to TFP.

Did you just open a closed pool or have you been using Trichlor tablets that crashed your TA.

Tell us the rest of the story so we can guide you appropriately.

How did you test TA and ph?

TA is zero or below means pH is 4.5 or below.

Add 30 ppm TA of baking soda. Run the pump and brush well. Test the TA. Repeat until the TA is above 50.

If pH still shows yellow, add 0.4 pH rise worth of borax.

Follow the SLAM Process.

This is typical of a trichlor puck treated pool.

 
Major green algae. Tested pool and have ZERO alkalinity and very little acid. Which do I correct first the ACID or the ALKALINITY issue?
How are you testing? Answer to your question is neither. If you have a green pool you need to SLAM. That will involve getting your pH right because you'll need to go to much higher FC levels but never above max recommended in our information. This will all become easier to understand after you read the articles and watch the videos. I've seen many, many pools start with yours and quickly be crystal clear. Never with expensive potions only generic versions of pool store chemicals at waaaay lower price.

Please help us help you by creating a signature. Here's how. You'll get answers faster and our volunteer experts will be more efficient with their time.

Chris
 
Photos are a big plus! Photos of your pool as is and equipment are often helpful to get you better answers. You've already gotten some help from an expert on here. Soon you'll get a lot more!