What Faefyre did is pretty much what we did when our first pool was installed. You're not kidding that it is hard work! I didn't think we were ever gonna get it level. We would dig a little on one side --- OOPS, too much! So, then we'd go and lower the higher side ---OOPS, still off a little. Repeat, repeat, scream, sweat, repeat, repeat, AAARGHH!, repeat, repeat ------ SWIM!!!!! It was hard work, but so worth it! Good luck!