high ph/ alkalinity and green pool

[vjeffcoat]

We have a 24 foot above ground pool, vinyl liner, sand filter.

The water in my pool is a nasty green color, with no visibility of the bottom of the pool. I tested the water (with one of the strip tests) and it says i have No chlorine, ph and alkalinity are very high, cya is fine. I went to the pool store today to have them test for the specific levels, but once i said the pool was green i was told that they didn't even need to do that, that i needed to shock with 5 lbs of shock and add floc.

Is there a better way to clear up the pool without having to floc, since i was told with the floc you have to vacuum to waste, and i just hate the thought of wasting so much water.