Thanks for the replies. I'm going to go ahead and change the sand. I'll head to the pool store over the weekend. I'm sure they will try to sell me some super-duper special sand.
I'll let you all know if I have any questions about the laterals. Hopefully they are in good shape.
I'll also throw some glue on the input feeder/distributor/sprayer or what ever it's called. JB-Weld is my favorite new toy to gluing stuff together.

Thanks again
Ryan