Pea gravel, then sand on top in sand filter?

[stevedanni]

I just bought the Hayward S310 30" 500 pound sand filter. The pool store guys say I need to put in 200 pounds of pea gravel in first to cover the laterals. They say that keeps the laterals from getting clogged and broken. Then to put in 300 pounds of sand on top of that.

The manual says use only high rate sand No. 20 silica sand (.45mm-.55mm)
So should I do what the pool guys say? I am in the process of plumbing the new filter now so haven't added the sand yet.
What should I do?

 

[Bama Rambler]

Some people use pea gravel to offset some of the sand but it's just fine to use all sand. Using pea gravel doesn't have anything to do with breaking or clogging the laterals. Pea gravel is usually cheaper than pool sand so using it helps the cost a little.