I would replace the pressure gauge. They're not that expensive, and pools rarely needto be backwashed weekly. Eventually you'll learn how your pool "acts", and it may not be as necessary, but for now you really need to get a new gauge.

You can safely add bleach and borax to a salt pool. Salt pools are chlorine pools, the only difference is thatthe chlorine is generated from the salt instead of added in the form of bleach. Many people with SWCGs use bleach for their shocking and the SWCG for regular chlorination.

Backwashing to waste means what you vacuum out goes straight out of your waste line, bypassing the filster. "regular" vacuuming directs the stuff into your filter.

Janet