Bravo....many thanks for the detailed response. I'll likely adopt your method(s).
I notice in your sig line that you use the Frog Ease system. What is your opinion of it vs. the liquid chlorine method often used by many on this forum in their pools and spas...me included?
Have been strongly considering the ease of the something like Frog Ease for a more "set it and forget it" system.
Sorry for the late reply. We're on our third Frog @ease SmartChlor cartridge. So far, I'd say the system works well, but is not without its own pros and cons.
Pros:
+ Reduces testing and maintenance workload
+ No worries when leaving on vacation (mostly)
+ Consistent 0.5 - 1 PPM FC level (remember there is no CYA)
+ Included test strips seem reasonably accurate for quick checks
+ Compatible with ozone systems
Cons:
- More expensive than daily dosing dichlor/bleach method
- Impossible to test for CCs vs "SmartChlor Reserve"
- As with ozone, there is no test for silver ion levels (other than there is still material in the cartridge when you shake it)
- Non-refillable cartridges, so some plastic waste/recycle
- Silver cartridge can leave a small yellow stain below it in the filter compartment
End result... I'm glad to have tried it for this first season. We will probably continue to use the system due to its no-fuss factor. It's even easier than a saltwater chlorine generator system, as there is no need to hit a boost function or add a specific level of salt.
If you are leaving on vacation, as we did for two weeks, it's great so long as there is enough left in the SmartChlor cartridge to last. Our house sitters loved it, and the tub was still perfectly sanitized and everything in line when we returned home.
We got about six weeks each on the first two cartridges. In fact, the last cartridge ran out without my thinking about it. I was surprised to test the water and find 0 FC, 0 Reserve (which reads as "CC" on the TFT100 kit). Checked the cartridge and sure enough, it was empty. Ah - six weeks had gone by. The silver cartridge, I think, kept things in check during the brief lapse. I installed a new cartridge, added a kickstart dose of dichlor, and monitored. Everything was fine.