I've never been able to get my TA down below 180. I am faithfully adding small amounts of muriatic acid (diluted in a bucket of water before it goes into the pool) to lower the PH to 7.0 then bubbling the heck out of it with the air compressor bubbler my husband juryrigged for me on Saturday. All the while keeping my pump running. The water was very milky yesterday but I shocked it, and it's clear(ish) now. At 180 TA we get very clear water if everything else is properly maintained. I doubt if I will ever get my TA as low as 80-100, I'm not that patient. And, not to worry, I have avoided adding anything to do with calcium for the last five years, since you all have reaffirmed it's not necessary, I can't imagine wanting to start now

Thanks all for the welcome backs!

Mary