Just opened the pool... questions

[waste]

I did a partial drain and fill at the end of the season last year.... I can do it again. I can only seem to get it down past the skimmer and I lose prime..

I use my vacuum and clean the bottom while I pump off into the vacant lot behind me

I will go ahead and do another this evening... damn...3 years on pucks and now I am fighting this...

What can I do to get the hardeness down...?

If you want to get the water lower than the skimmer mouth, use the vac - (* if you're sucking air while 'vac-ing', put the other end of the vac hose in the skimmer) It sounds like the skimmer is your only suction source.
I don't know (and apparently you don't either) if your fill water is the cause of your high CH - is it possible to 'truck in' some low calcium water?

[JMCFAN]

Dont know.... could be my well water. It is pretty hard. I have to use "Metal B Gone" post adding fresh water or I turn my pool green..

[waterbear]

That sounds like copper in your water. Might want to check for that.