Well I think I found the culprit! There were a couple of holes between the end of my backwash hose and the filter, so the water (leaking from the faulty push/pull valve) wasn't making it all the way to the end. It was gradually leaking out in the middle of the damn hose. For now I have the hose pulled up so it can't leak until I can replace the valve. Thanks for everyones' advice....hopefully this will do the trick. I've had enough problems with the pool this year.

Now if only I could get rid of my algae problem.....I have some black algae on the bottom of the pool, concentrated mainly at one end. Since it's been down almost a week it's starting to spread though. A guy at my local pool supply store said there's a strange strand this year. Is he full of crap just trying to get me to buy some overpriced stuff??????