Pool Installed Now What? How to Backfill

[ePoolUser]

Hello Everyone,
I've been lurking here a few days and found lots of wonderful help and info. Now I want to ask, what to do next?

Pool was installed yesterday. We are filling slowly (not by choice really!). The installer excavated about 24" deep on the back side. How much do I back fill? level to bottom of pool? up to original ground level, but that seems wrong.

In the photo you can see the installer backfilled the bottom corner of the pool only. I suppose that will hold the sand in and under, for now. How much do I fill in now, if any?

Here is what I want, will it work?
I'm envisioning a gravel path next to and around the pool, say 2-3 feet wide. Can I do this, or does it need dirt to the level of the bottom of the pool? Then for a retaining wall I will lay the basic home improvement store retaining wall block, up to the level of the original ground surface. I am guessing 2 layers rising to 5 layers at the deepest.

I'd love to see what others did to fill in after their excavation/install on unlevel ground. I have looked for photos, but I haven't really found any on the 'net. All the pool sellers show are perfectly flat yards...


Here is my "problem".
http://webpages.charter.net/sgf/backfill.jpg




TIA,