Howdy. I've had this problem since I started using the pump this season. Whenever I would let the pump run on it's own or use the vacuum, whatever I sucked up would get spit back out of the return jets. This happened even when I manually washed off the filter grids and put in new DE. To help combat this, I got ingenious and folded up paper towels, put them in the outside filter (a filter for the filter), and brushed the crap from the bottom towards it. My pool is pretty clear now, but I still need to figure out what the problem is.

I read the post by Waste about how to clean the filter grids (and mine are definitely grids), and I know mine hold water in the bottom. Is that the most likely reason for my problem? Is it easy to take apart/put back together? I have a Hayward filter, and the grids kind of overlap, like a swirl. I don't want to take it apart and not be able to put it back together. And I'd rather not have to spend ~$200 on new grids unless I absolutely have to.

And for the detergent, does it have to be any specific kind? And does it have to be a powder or liquid? And is the muriatic acid something I can get from Leslie's? Thanks in advance for the help.