HELP - 3 week old Intex

[Verdog]

We got a little rain today while the SWG was running, but I don't think that was the problem. I went to check the pool and the SWG was screaming Low Salt and there were no gas bubbles in the unit.

A little history:
I did not read the manual like I should have and ran the SWG 8 hours after I added salt 3 weeks ago during install. I have 2670 ppm per salt test strips, Intex wants 3000. I am a little low, but again not what I think is the MAIN problem.

I bought a Taylor test kit at a new PS I found that I earned an instant $20 credit and they had a sale on the Taylor kits! Unfortunately I bought a 2005c instead of 2006c, but I ordered a FAS Chlorine hit from our friends at tfttestkits. So I now have an expensive 100!

Levels now
FC 2.5 (jumped SWG from 4 to 6 hours last night and only got a 1 ppm increase)
TC 2.5
pH 7.0 (lowering TA and added acid)
TA 260 (a different PS told me it was 256, but i gave up on taylor test after 300 yesterday AM)
CH 170
CYA 60
Salt 2670

Here is my concern, the plates; These were a beautiful gunmetal color 3 weeks ago.... Problem?..... WHY so soon?

 

[Bama Rambler]

Your TA is your problem. High TA will cause scaling in the salt cell and you's is sky high. You need to seriously work on lowering it. Of course, you'll also have to clean the cell.

 

[Verdog]

I really didn't think it would have gotten that bad that fast. I am working on the TA, brought the pH to right below the test and ran full fountain for 2 hours. Just got done cleaning the cell an will reinstall and run full fountain overnight so I can hopefully add more acid tomorrow.

Cell looks brand new after vinegar only. Most flaked off with my fingers.

I hate city water, probably doesn't help being in the limestone capital of Texas.