Hi Gang. Saw dozens of vacation posts (including mine from '14.) But this time I am in a different situation. I MUST shut down my pump for the 8 days away in late July. So I plan on capping off the skimmer and eyelet and covering with the winter cover. Would like to be able to leave stairs in and work cover around them if possible - that may leave a smidge of the water exposed. Most posts say leave pump on a timer but I cannot. I'm basically going to close, then re-open in one week. But unlike winter closing, temps should be in 80's-90's for the week.

What should I do chemically & with equipment before I leave?

Current readings are: Ph=6.8 / FC=5 / Chlorine-Bromine is very high (orange on test tube) / CYA=100 / Alk=40 / Hardness yielded no results (color did not change after 15 drops!) / and pool store told me that Phosphates are very high. (I had incident upon opening and have been struggling to get levels to normal since.) Still learning the chemistry aspect of pool ownership but I've had clear water every season using a weekly shock treatment and chlorine tablet routine - this is probably why the Cl-Br levels are way up.

Thanks to all for help past and present (and future!!!)