We did not get the pool filled as we ended up re-installing the skimmer and return (creased gasket issues) - all installed, siliconed on the inside, hoses hooked up to skimmer and return, we installed valves inline from the skimmer to pump and from filter to return (so work can be done to either side without floods - solar panels and diverter ready to be installed when rack system completed -still under construction) - Then we set up alternate pumps and filters (hoses over the sides) to help keep it clean until filled and, did the only thing we could for our sanity - went on vacation for 4 days.

When home we continued to fill as now silicone had a chance to cure and this morning water is currently at 1" up on skimmer opening. This morning my son called me because he noticed a leak at the connection where the hose goes into the pump (few drips per second) - this is not the type of connection that uses a hose clamp - the adaptor on the pump side was threaded and we did use teflon tape on that. I told him to close the valves on both sides until we get home.

Pump/filter (22" Pentair Meteor Sand) is NOT yet running or plugged in. We have not primed it yet or anything. It is just sitting with the multiport valve in the CLOSED position, water put in as directed and 150# sand (gently filled - I was scared to death of damage to laterals from filling - all these posts make it sound like its common?) So after getting the water 1/2 or 2/3 up the skimmer opening and filling pump pot to prime, what position do we put the valve in to start it up? Our old sand filter was just that, no multiport valve, the cartridge filter has no valves either, we manually primed and air bled the lines to get started. Is it supposed to backwash to start or to waste or start up on circlulate or filter or ????