To raise ph, you use Borax, not baking soda. However, hold off on the Borax for now since you want to lower your alk. See the following link for information about lowering alk.

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=191

Re: cya --- yes outside, yes dot should disappear. It is definitely the hardest of all the tests to read. Hope this helps.