Sand Filter dumped all the sand in my pool

This is what I did and it worked great!

1. Filled pool to top with water

2. Removed the cartridge from the filter, cleaned and reassembled tub.

4. Installed a valve to the drain port and a a back wash hose. Opened the drain valve.

5. Turned pump on. (draining out of the backwash hose) and bled air.

6. Prepared vacuum and filled hose off of one of the returns and connected to skimmer port.

7. Shut off returns to pool.

8. Shut off deep water suction to get more suction to the vacuum.

9. Cleaned pool.

I had to clean out the pump basket and tub a few times but it worked great. The deep end is 98% done and will finish the shallow end tomorrow. One downside is that I drained a lot of water from the pool but it is cheaper than a divorce. ;-) I'm refilling the pool as I write this and I'll recheck chemicals in the morning and finish the vacuum.

Thanks so much for your help. I'll post before and after pictures tomorrow.

-John