Wow, thanks for the in-depth info Doc. To help me choose a course of action, can you answer a couple of noob questions?

1. What is the disadvantage of high calcium hardness, other than the scaling on my fiberglass? You say I can just lower my TA and be fine; does that mean there are no adverse effects on my water treatment regimen or my pool equipment from a high (and increasing) calcium hardness?

2. It would cost me roughly $60 in water to drain and refill the pool, but I hate wasting water and I have no knowledge of the local water table so would be VERY hesitant to drain this fiberglass pool.

3. Your second option for lowering calcium hardness sounds pretty intense but I'm sure I could do it (I have a T-valve that has a capped threaded stub). How long do you think the pool would be out of operation? It is almost warm enough to swim here and we are looking forward to getting in our new pool for the first time in the next couple of weeks.

I really can't say 'thank you' enough times!