Mild weather maintenance

[cap10gus]

I have a Salt Water pool in central Texas. Throughout the winter the water temperature was in the low 50's to upper 40's, I didnt winterize the pool except for freeze mode which activates the pumps when the air temperature is 35 degrees or less. I had been maintaining the pH and chlorine levels based on the pool store water analysis. In hindsight, i am questioning the addition of chlorine since the SWG doesnt run when the water temp is in the 50's indicating the pool didnt need the chlorine maintained in cool weather.

This morning i tested and chlorine was very low and pH was very high. Water temp is now 62. The water is still crystal clear. The SWG is now running and salt level is 2600.

I bumped the SWG from 25% to 33%. Days have started warming to 70's causing trees and plants to bloom. However, this being Texas, we are expecting a freeze later this week.

Im looking for opinions on how critical the chemical balance is when the pool water temp is low 60's or less.

[Teapot]

Do you have cya stabiliser in the water?
The addition of chlorine is a good idea especially above 50f

[Denniswiseman]

The fact that the SWCG doesn't work in cold weather is nothing to do with how high your chlorine should be (they just don't work)
Also get your own FAS/DPD test kit as pool stores and strips are widely inaccurate
Is your salt level of 2600 adequate