@justperfect,
first answer, no the system will keep doing it's thing. second answer, by turning the dial you just started a regen and it will reset itself. Do you know that if the power goes off for some time , that you need to reset the timer? Almost running out of salt is the best thing, it won't bridge or become mush. I tell me customers to let the salt go down to 1", and then refill it.