Hello from Montreal!

[Watermom]

- use algaecide very sparsely, just to help with prevention when the water gets a little blurry and that I feel unsure about algae resistance

If you do decide to use an algaecide, make sure is it Polyquat 60%. Most cheap algaecides causes foamy water.

- monitor my water chemistry and adjust accordingly (Cl, pH, Alk, CYA); I intend to to at least one trip in the USA so that might be the opportunity to invest in that Taylor K2006 testing kit!

The Taylor K-2006 kit is only available online. So to get it, you'll have to order it and send it somewhere in the US and then pick it up on your trip here. While you're at it, I think I'd go ahead and order some extra CYA testing reagent R-0013 so you'll have some for if you run out, especially if you are going to use Trichlor tabs. (The kit only has enough for a handful of tests.) The R-0013 is listed on the test kit page.