what brand/type of filter, buckeye? if it has a multi-valve on the top or side, it will have various settings. rinse, filter, closed, waste, backwash. when i vacuum, i either vacuum:

a) to filter, if it's simply a bit of sediment on the floor of the pool versus leaves and such, then do a backwash after for about 5 minutes, then rinse which cleans the guck out of the filter for about 1 minute.

b) if i have high degree of degree or algae, i flush to waste which bypasses the filter and sends the garbage right past the filter.