Install My Own Filter?

Recently bought a home with a pool/pond. The pool is appx. 40,000 gallons, and I'm just getting ready to start tackling all of the issues that it has. The current filter is an old DE filter. The filter manifolds are torn and need to be replaced. Every pool professional I've spoken to has told me that it would be cheaper in the long run just to switch to sand.

So here are my questions for you guys:

1) Are the pool guys right? Should I just switch to sand?
2) If I do switch to sand, how tough is replacing the filter myself? Looks to me like it's just a few PVC pipes and some sand...
3) If sand is NOT the best way to go does anyone know the best place to get replacement DE manifolds? It's been hard for me to find online pricing for new DE manifolds, but what I have found has put them in the $300 dollar range for the whole set.

Thanks in advance.

1. Send pictures to poolforum AT gmail DOT com -- I'll post them, and you'll get much better answers that way. Pay particular attention to the pump AND pump label, as well as the motor label. We'll also need to see the piping coming out of the ground, and returning.

2. There are benefits to both sand and DE. But, if you get a sand filter, make sure it's at least a 30" filter, for a 40,000 gallon pool.

3. We can give info on the manifolds, once we have pictures of the filter and filter label

Good luck!