pressure problems with new de filter

[coryinsocal]

hey all, i just replaced my vintage spin de with a pentair 36+ (my spin was only a 25sqft). this and a new multi seemed to install ok. i did a rough visual on the grids before i installed but i have that same "all my de went into the pool!" as a few others here. the pump primed fine and i filled the entire fiter quick enough, till the water came out the vent continuously, then i closed the vent and dupmed in my slurry. main issue here, i never got any pressure on the filter. none. the jets were spitting out some de as i dumped it in.

my question is, if there's a small tear or something, wouldn't you at least have some pressure and just get the de bypassing? i took the lid off and everything is at least going through the right direction (de on the outside). i'm wondering if i should be looking at the valve or if this is normally still a filter issue. it doesn't seem to be leaking from the waste port, but i guess that doesn't mean there isn't something else wrong with it.

to top it off, i forgot to switch my valve to "closed" before i vented the filter to have a look, after that, the remaining 80%of the de lot burped up out of my skimmer! lucky me, i bet that'll never happen again. everything seems to be going in the right direction, i just have about 3.5 lbs of de in my pool...

i guess another similar question, but something that would help me troubleshoot, is there normally any pressure showing before you ever add de?