"Richard J Kinch" wrote in message
. ..
Ross Mac writes:

Can I get away with 3 hours or so??

Quite possible, especially in the winter.

Don't believe those rules of thumb. You can get away with what you can
get
away with. That is, give it a try for a few weeks, and see how it works.

In the winter in SE Florida I turn the pump and chlorine off altogether,
and it takes some days or a week before I have to clean it up, IF you keep
the pH on the low end. The low pH is critical. Stuff doesn't like to
grow
if you keep the pH on the low end of comfort and Langelier balance. High
pH will get you algae and cloudiness in no time.
Thanks Rich,
I already dropped it from 6 to 5 hours and I do add acid from time to time
to keep the ph in range. The chlorine tends to run high and I think that is
from the chlorinator running 6 hours. I'll test it this weekend and run a
sample down to the pool store to double check...
Thanks again, Ross