Mike, as you have a young family I'm sure you will look carefully at your choice of a pool fence. The reason I say this is that a lot of the so called approved pool fences will actually fail a proper test. Especially the bargain basement aluminium tube fences. I have seen some in a major hardware chain that with one hand you can squeeze two tubes together to a large degree. Some very determined skinny kid could quite easily squeeze through. I think I checked out the "Choice consumer" webpage. Anyway I'm sure you have this under control.
I use an ioniser set at minimum and an occasional use of a minimum amount of chlorine works really well. Pool always clear and clean. No smell and very cheap to run. I have often been told the best thing to do is keep you filters clean and run you pump everyday. Only neglect will make it a chore.
All the best
Richard