Sand filter allowing bugs to enter pool

[nicole12]

I took the top off the filter today to see if I had the spider gasket lined up right with the holes. Not sure what I'm looking for. Right now my "filter" is at 12 o'clock and the valve opening on the spider gasket is on 12 o'clock, is that correct? Here is a picture of my gasket and inside my filter. Can someone explain how it should be. Looking at the picture of the inside of my filter the biggest whole (1/2 of the pie) is the filter setting. Recirculation is 10 o'clock. Should the biggest opening of the spider gasket line up with the biggest opening on the filter? If so I do have it backwards. I have the biggest opening set on the recirculation side of the filter and that small opening on the "Filter" setting. My other functions backwash and waste work at they should with the way I have it set up now.

You can also see the spider gasket on the table is one that I ordered, it lines up perfectly with the filter but not with my valve assembly. So I have a new one on order. I hope the fact that the valve assembly doesn't match with the filter isn't a problem in itself. That's how it came, I bought the filter/pump as a package.

[Poconos]

Not clear what is what but I'll give it my best shot. I assume the piece in the top pic is what you call the valve assembly and the bottom pic the filter. Cannot tell what ports are connected for what function. If the gasket mounts on the 'valve assy' (top pic) then it is probably the wrong gasket. In the pic it looks like the old gasket is still stuck to it. On the bottom pic it doesn't look like there are grooves for the gasket to sit in. As for what position the handle should be in for each function you may have to trace out the paths of flow.
Al

[nicole12]

If the gasket mounts on the 'valve assy' (top pic) then it is probably the wrong gasket.Al

Did you mean if it "doesn't mount on the 'vavle assy'"? then it's the wrong gasket?
The 'valve assy' has the grooves in it that the gasket fits into. I have only 4 sections in my current gasket and in the new gasket it has 5 sections. Notice the filter also has 5 sections. I did look up some diagrams at the Astral website and it does look like it's on right, however in the panty hose I took off tonight had grass, bugs, etc. I really feel like taking down the whole pool and being done with it, this whole season has been a battle on trying to find out what is wrong with the filter. I never counted down the days to closing the pool before like I've been doing this year.

[Poconos]

Yes...looks like you have the wrong gasket. The gasket must exactly match to whatever it seats. If all but the one web (spoke) at about the 2 o'clock position seats properly you can just cut that web out.
Sorry...got interrupted by a coal delivery. Yes, I take an active role in my Winter heat. A simple check on the valve position can be to check pressure when you're in the 'recirculate' or 'bypass' setting. This bypasses the filter. Then switch to 'filter'. The pressure should be at least several psi higher on 'filter'. Something else to verify is you should not get any flow out the waste line. That should onl occur in 'backwash' and 'rinse'.
Al