OK, here is a slight update to this thread. I received the taylor test kit and I'm impressed. I wish I had bought this thing years ago. I had used several different kits in the past but this one is definitely top notch and accurate. It even comes with a little book that is full of useful information about not only the test kit but why the colors sometimes are flaky.

Here's my #s for today.
FC = 3.0 (as measured with the .2 ppm method)
CC= 1.0
Alkalinity = 200 ppm (may be slightly less, I elected to use the 25 ppm multiplier to save on reagents).
Hardness = 300
pH =7.4
CYA = 30

Pool water is much better after changing the sand. I'm still curious as to why I have lost sand. When I bought the pump/tank I sized the tank for the pump. The tank is good for 60 GPM, but I did measure the open ended output and it is in the 60 GPM range. I'm curious if any of you had run into this problem and if I need to simply add a bag or two of sand per year to prevent this from happening.

Even though my water has gotten much better it still is not that "crystal clear" I was looking for. I'm seriously considering switching back to a DE filter and I noticed that most of the mods etc. use sand filters. Is the hassle of adding the DE really not worth the better efficiency?

Thanks for your replies.