Constructing 12x24x54 AG on our own... are we done yet?

[matt4x4]

Remember you'll need a good 1.5" ABOVE the skimmer before backwashing or you'll just suck air because water won't replenish the skimmer fast enough - one way to "cheat" is to remove the weir, gets you an extra 1/2" of fast water.
You can also try to backwash early with the pool vac hose connected into the skimmer (no basket), and held under water, with the garden hose water "sealing" the connection inside the skimmer - flow will be slower, but it should remove the zeo dust as per it's purpose.

If you backwash all your water out and can't go to filter right away due to low water, set the manual vacuum into the pool, connect the hose into the hole in the bottom of the skimmer (no basket), and place your garden hose inside the skimmer - this will keep a seal around the hose while sucking the crap off the bottom of the pool and will give you a little head start to you can stay on track with your tight schedule.

Your Granules won't dissolve very fast (esp. in cold water), so don't measure chlorine within half an hour of dispersing. I'd recommend using bleach to start just so it disperses fast, put in only about 1/2 gal @ 6% for your size pool if people are going swimming, outside of that just worry about your pH. Stabilizer just saves your chlorine from sunlight, alkalinity is rarely an issue - esp with AG pools - unless your hose water is questionable.

Your CYA will need several days to a week before it gives you any sort of indication (very slow at dissolving) - place it in a sock and tie it off the stairs or else it will harm liner.