At least you had someone watching the pool! Think if you did not! NO water left and a dead pump!
Kim
Kim
you can find DE at home depot, just make sure you buy the one in the pool section, not the stuff for landscape planters.
I wouldn't add DE to your filter till the very end. it clogs up your filter really really fast. for the bigger stuff that's in the water now, your sand filter should be fine. just got to keep up on your backwashing. I wouldn't do a deep clean on it yet, maybe after you are completely done with your SLAM.
the water is going to be cloudy for a while, that's just part of the process. its gonna take some time. be patient.
get the DE though, you will probably want to add it at the very end. it does a good job taking your water from pretty clear to crystal clear, but now is not the time for that.
people also add socks to the skimmer to try and prefilter the water as well. ive never done it but you can read about with a search
I would go ahead and buy the DE so you can add it this weekend when you can babysit it. I got mine from Lowes in the pool supply area.
You are making it!
Kim