Thank you Ben,

I just bought a bristle brush and a stiffer pole. The contractor from the get go said it should be crushable and it may be but with the flexible pool cleaning rod I can't get enough leverage. So I am going to try the stiffer brush and stiffer pole tomorrow, I definitely will put filter socks in the baskets before vacuuming.

I very much appreciate your help. Not sure I can easily duplicate the situation. It may be scuba tank time !

Ray