Adding to the previous post...I put a trouser sock (J. Smith from Kmart - on sale $1.50 pair) in the skimmer to help keep the small stuff out of the filter. Also put a pair of pantyhose over the filter to keep the bugs out of it. Works well and makes cleaning it alot easier.

I buy twin packs of filters at Walmart - mine are the B filters. Saves a few $$. And I change them out about every 2 to 3 weeks - washing them every other day or so, in the mean time.

I had an 18 x 48" pool that lasted 2 seasons and was left up year round - in the heart of Texas. It would have lasted another summer, but a hail storm w/ golf ball size hail did in the top ring.

Good luck and definitely get a good drop kit. Those test strips are junk.