OK, I'm going to take the company line here and NOT give out all the "exceptions".

1) Test your pH and chlorine once a day, best at sunset, and add chlorine, borax or acid as needed. If your chlorine runs in the 5 or less range, you can use and OTO kit and get the TC level.

2) Run a full suite of test, (FAS-DPD, pH, T/A, CYA) once a week and record the results.

3) Calcium Hardness: If you have a concrete pool, check it once a week. If you have a vinyl pool, check it at least twice a season, once when you open, and once about mid-season.

4) Metals: Only if you suspect metal contamination.

5) Phosphates: Once every 15 years--or less.

6) Pump/filter time: You should run it 10-12 hours per day, but you can set your timer to run part of that during the night.

All the exceptions are for people who really know their pools, know what corners they can SAFELY cut, and what they can't. Until you know your pool, this is the easiest way to do AND not have problems.