Amy, I have been running my filter pump nearly 24 hours a day, except for when we are actually in there swimming. I take the filter out and the filter screen out of the intake part of the pump and hose it off daily. The screen gets more clogged if I run the surface skimmer, but I love the surface skimmer. I should just order another hose thingie so I can run the skimmer and the "aerator" at the same time. I also like the sound.

As for the test strips, I know they are not accurate. They are the AquaChem from K-Mart, and they are way more variable and more inaccurate than the Wal-Mart HTH 5-way strips. However, the WM strips do not show FC versus TC. Based on that, I probably did not need to shock, but rather my chlorine level was just too low for my CYA level. It is all good, though, as the water is heavenly right now.

Can't wait to dig up enough $$$ to order one of Ben's kits. I can really see how essential good, accurate testing is.