Don't like pulling a plug? Get a switch! That's 1930's technology; you don't need electronics for that!

You may have a pH and ORP controller; that doesn't mean it's accurate. Any *competent* maker or vendor of pH electrodes will tell you that you must REGULARLY calibrate the meter, using at least 2 buffer solutions. Without regular calibration, pH meters are LESS accurate than an $8 OTO/phenol red testkit.

ORP is a different beast. Though ORP electrodes don't drift the way pH electrodes do, it's rather hard to say what ORP measures. But it's easy to say what it does NOT measure: it does NOT measure chlorine levels. It does correspond somewhat to the HOCl fraction of the oxidizing chlorine species present in the water, minus the effect of all the reducing agents in the water.

I am *very* familiar with ORP / pH control systems; I sold and serviced $10,000 commercial systems for a number of years. Believe me, they will not make your life easier. I can't prove it, but I think finding this out for themselves explains why Pentair has switched its 'automatic' chemical control systems from pH/ORP based, to timers! They don't tell you that, at least not very clearly, because a time clock is SO much more IMPRESSIVE, when you hide it behind a computer.

You want to be smart about it? Do NOT get an ORP/ph controller for your pool, AND *do* buy the buffers and learn to properly calibrate your saltwater control system. (If your system says it doesn't need to be calibrated . . . upgrade to a better system not made in China!)

Automatic valves can have a place, and can be moderately reliable, although not nearly as a reliable as manual valves. If you have a multi-feature / multi-function pool with a spa, an infinity edge, and a waterfall or fountain, auto valves properly tied to a control system can make sense of a what is other wise a hard-to-understand switch over system. But, putting auto valves on a plain pool + pump + filter is just needless and useless.

If you want to automate something harmlessly, get a fancy lighting system. A lot of people enjoy those, but if it breaks, your pool still works!