It depends on how long you will be gone etc. Some send the chlorine levels extra high when they are going to be gone a couple 3 days and if your going to be gone longer you can use the 3" pucks to maintain while your away if necessary, but not all the time, because they aren't good for your pool to use routinely, but every once in a while is fine. As far as the pump running 24/7, as soon as you pass OCLT, then you can let your numbers drop, and pump less time daily.
Everyone maintains there's differently and uses what works for them, their work schedules, etc.
I manually check, and add my chlorine every couple of nights. (you may need to check daily until you figure out about how much your pool is using on average).
I add my chlorine in the evenings, so it can work more without the sun eating through it, and try to maintain it at my Target for my CYA, or just slightly higher. I try to brush at least once daily, vacuum every couple days or as needed, and generally run my pump about 6 hours a day. some run there pump time all at once, and some separate their pump times. I am currently running mine 2 hours in the morning because that skims off and filters out all the little bugs that got in during the night, then I run it 2 hours around 2-4 in the afternoon, and then 2 hours in the evening, but what ever works best for you is fine. I hope this helps.
