Doc,

I think I will take your advice and lower the TA of the pool for now without worrying about the high calcium and the scale. I just dropped my pH to 6.8 and pointed my inlets at the surface to impart some 'ruffling.' I think I'll pick up a couple of the little fountains that attach to the inlets to better aerate, as I will likely also need them to help lower water temps this summer.

I'll attack the calcium buildup at a later date. As you say, the soil here in the Las Vegas valley is sandy and full of caliche. The grade falls away from my neighborhood, so my little 5' deep pool is likely above the water table. I think all our drinking water comes from Lake Mead; there may not even BE a water table. Draining/refilling may be an option at the end of summer if I don't feel adventurous enough to try your method of precipitating it out.

Thanks for all the help!