Sand filter allowing bugs to enter pool

[nicole12]

If the gasket mounts on the 'valve assy' (top pic) then it is probably the wrong gasket.Al

Did you mean if it "doesn't mount on the 'vavle assy'"? then it's the wrong gasket?
The 'valve assy' has the grooves in it that the gasket fits into. I have only 4 sections in my current gasket and in the new gasket it has 5 sections. Notice the filter also has 5 sections. I did look up some diagrams at the Astral website and it does look like it's on right, however in the panty hose I took off tonight had grass, bugs, etc. I really feel like taking down the whole pool and being done with it, this whole season has been a battle on trying to find out what is wrong with the filter. I never counted down the days to closing the pool before like I've been doing this year.

[Poconos]

Yes...looks like you have the wrong gasket. The gasket must exactly match to whatever it seats. If all but the one web (spoke) at about the 2 o'clock position seats properly you can just cut that web out.
Sorry...got interrupted by a coal delivery. Yes, I take an active role in my Winter heat. A simple check on the valve position can be to check pressure when you're in the 'recirculate' or 'bypass' setting. This bypasses the filter. Then switch to 'filter'. The pressure should be at least several psi higher on 'filter'. Something else to verify is you should not get any flow out the waste line. That should onl occur in 'backwash' and 'rinse'.
Al