1)I do test less. Probably once every 2 weeks. However, this is after about a year of obsessive testing so I feel like I "know" the chemical levels better now. That being said, it'll prob bite me in the behind one of these days.
2)I live in the southern california desert, with daily highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s/high30s generally this time of year. Water temp is currently around 50 degrees. I believe I read in several places that algae grows very slowly if at all below 50 degrees?? Can anyone verify this?
3)During the summer I use chlorox and a tablet or two in the floater to maintain FC as our water temps push 95 degrees, but during the cold season I put 2 pucks in the floater and let it be and they seem to last a few weeks. I've never had CYA over 40-50 ppm but I still watch it pretty diligently. I don't seem to build up CYA as fast as some others.
4)I run my pump 4 hours currently (down from 9 hrs at height of summer heat), although without knowing exact gpm yet I don't know how many water turnovers I'm getting, but the water still looks good . I'm considering dropping it down to 2 hours or even less when the water temp drops into the 40s. I figure the algae is not growing quickly, and if I vacuum weekly that should keep the debris to a minimum. I run a 2 hp pump so my power bills are not unsubstantial so if I can get away with it I will.
Has anyone in a warmer climate just turned off the pump completely during the cold weather? Is there any reason not to do this? Maybe I will make this a new thread as it could help save a substantial amount of $ in the long run.