Sounds like you're well on your way!
As for the compactor, you do NOT need it for compacting your sand base, really, a compactor is just needed if you are filling instead of removing dirt, and tehn, you really just have to compact so that where the wall sits will not sink.
The remaining sand is to be spread out and raked smooth, you can tamp it down but don't need to since the weight of the water will do that for you.