Wow...this is a job for the experts

[chem geek]

But what does the all red alk test mean?????

I believe the Total Alkalinity test from Taylor (and others) uses a combination of "bromocresol green" and "methyl red" pH indicators that turn from green to red at around a pH of 4.5 so the fact that the TA test starts out red means that the pH is already below 4.5

I would expect that the water is not only low in pH, but probably has much of the carbonate buffer removed from it as well (the acid from the TriChlor tabs will lower pH and the TA while the carbon dioxide will outgas quickly so I suspect the TA is also quite low). Therefore, I recommend adding Soda Ash, aka [EDIT] Washing Soda [END-EDIT] (not Baking Soda) aka Sodium Carbonate (typical "pH Up" in pool stores) since that will raise both your TA and your pH. If you follow Carl's advice and add Borax, then you'll likely also need to add Baking Soda, aka Sodium Bicarbonate.

If your TA is really very low, then adding relatively small amounts of Borax by itself will cause fairly large swings in pH. Add some, wait to circulate (an hour should be OK if the pump is running) retest pH and add more if needed, etc. If you add either the Sodium Carbonate or Sodium Bicarbonate, then you won't get as large a pH swing.

Richard