Quote Originally Posted by At wits end View Post
OK, this might be a stupid question, but can I turn the pump on and run it if the water is not up to the return lines yet? (Obviously I'd keep the skimmer off until the water level got up to it)

I thought maybe I should backwash the filter one more time with the "cleaner" water before i started filtering ???????
If you can get the pump to prime, and stay primed, it's OK to run the system. On most pools this means you have to have a main drain, AND a valve that allows you to cut off the skimmer, so you can pull water from the main drain alone.

If you can get it primed, backwashing would be fine.

Don't add the hardness or bicarb till later (and maybe, not ever). Don't add the CYA till you have the system running and circulating.