MOM2.... do you have shutoffs?
If you do, you can exchange that hose out in about 10 minutes without any water loss, if you don't, it's still possible by blocking the round hole in the skimmer using a rag and you can shove a rag into the eyelet to block the return too.
Even puttin in those male-male connectors will create a huge spill all over you and surrounding area unles you block the holes.
If your filter has an off setting, you could use that instead of blocking the skimmer - the eyelet blocking is still req'd.
Guess what I'm saying is you have to block the water anyway you look at it!

gpshemi - how about a few floaties? Or possibly - look at the different ones available, some may have a better flow through design than others. Smaller pucks may help as you suggested...
Personally I just use the pucks when on vacation, since i shock the day I leave, I've never run low on chlorine but have never been gone more than a week.