oops, first I feel I must apologize to msm859 following my rant about "90-counters". I meant no disrespect to your advice. To be honest, I only very briefly skimmed through your post and didn't even catch the part where you mentioned 90s, so I wasn't trying to be rude on that point. You recommended going with larger pipe anyways and my personal gripe is with those who still use 2" pipe and then boast about avoiding 90s. Respek! Note to others: Somebody could just as easily be thinking I'm a hack for using big pipe and not worrying about 90s. We all draw the line somewhere. Jennifer: The 1.5" returns are typically branched off a 2" main return line. They go to 1.5" where they penetrate through the wall because the eyeballs (trim pieces) are that size. I'm guessing that is what your builder is intending, but I could be wrong. In a perfect world, or if you were a Kennedy or DuPont, then that main return line would be the same size as the suction, so 3" is my armchair recommendation. If it was built with 3" suction and 2.5" return, I would not really frown on that either, but I wouldn't do it myself. Well actually, that's not true because I am doing exactly that on a current project, but that's because of some other fuzzy logic and it's not that my return is downsized, but rather my suction is upsized. If your pool was built with 2.5" suction and 2.5 or 2" return, then that would probably be better than average, but you'd be amazed at how much more you'll love your pool with bigger pipes. I mentioned to somebody here before that one of the first pools I built on my own, I used a 1/2 HP filter pump on 2" pipes and I was a little disappointed that the pump did not seem to be any quieter than any of the hundreds of 3/4 HP pumps I've seen in service. So last year, I did a project of several small fountains like you might see at a ritzy shopping center (these things are more painful than any pool I've ever built), each on its own filtration system. I used 2.5" suctions and returns, reducing down as appropriate for the returns and fountain nozzles. The pipe runs were all well over 100' in each direction, two of them approaching 160', and those pumps were so quiet I was stunned and amazed. If you do go with the Intelliflo, then the Intellitouch will certainly be a nice complement to that, but you might also consider the EasyTouch. In a nutshell, the EasyTouch is a value-engineered, toned-down version of the Intellitouch. I'm not familiar enough with it to know for sure that it controls the Intelliflo in the same manner, but it's definitely worth looking into. If your builder doesn't know either, he can contact his local Pentair rep. who will be happy to lend a hand. Something else I just noticed is that they've spec'd a 1 or 2 HP Whisperflo for the two laminar jets. This equation is way out of balance because those laminars only need 10 gpm each. Even with a 1/2 HP Whisperflow, you will wind up sending the majority of its output through the bypass line, directly back into the pool. The 1/2 HP will give you 2 or 3 times the flow you need for the laminars. Laminars are delicate and fussy, it's imperative not to give them too much flow or they can be damaged. At the least, they won't work correctly with too much flow, so there is zero advantage to oversizing the pump which runs them. Additionally, they should receive filtered water, so I would put a small cartridge filter on that pump (Clean & Clear 100 or 150 is fine for the task and not much $$). You also want to have the flow to each laminar adjustable with gate valves or globe valves because they are much more suited to very fine adjustment. Most builders would use a 3-way valve or two ball valves, which can be difficult to adjust in the fine increments needed for laminars. The laminars are proposed to be lit, but I do not see a fiberoptic illuminator listed in the specs. They are available with or without color, so you'll want to be sure and clarify that with your builder. hmmmm...a couple other things off the top of my head; you might consider going with two pool lights, along the long wall on the house side so they aren't shining into the house. This is a basic thing that many others here can vouch for. Regarding the auto-fill, I may be splitting hairs at this point but I don't really like the Pentair/Letro autofill. They have a tendency to cause hammer knocking in your house plumbing because of the way they're designed. I much prefer the new autofill from Pour-A-Lid or my former favorite, MP Industries' Auto-Lev. The prices are roughly the same and these two are much easier to install, service, and live with than the Pentair/Letro version. Well this was fun. If I can help you spend any more of your hard-earned money, don't hesitate to ask. hahaha

I think there were a number of things that I missed out on because I didn't have the money at the time, and it was probably a good thing, early 1990s late post-modernist dining chairs, for one, some Starck polycarbonate chairs, for another. I was also partial to furniture made by Dialogica in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and actually I am glad I was not in a position to buy furniture then because I am not sure now what I saw in some of the pieces that I liked.

junco - The chairs Ive chosen are 30' wide, 7" smaller width wise than the chair in the picture and about the same height. ( I just used that for scale) They will be used only for occasional extra seating as we usually sit on the sofas. I'll attach the picture. (see bottom pic below) Here (see 2nd pic below) is the only other fabric offered by the chair manufacturer in a print that is good color wise, but again.. just wondering if better to go with solid color in chair. The first small print looks good, I just think in 2 chairs it might be too crazy psycho. Ha ha. I mean I will be looking at them more than sitting in them. The bigger print may be more pleasing, but didnt know if having that kind of design will date them. Sofa fabric still up for final decision, but Ive ordered yard size samples and waiting on the one in the pic above to come. The first one below is same color, just a teeny bit different weave. all these colors look a bit off in the pics than in the naked eye. Fabric sample in first is taken in my room against the paint in the room. The second is taken in the store, and bottom in different store is not the fabric, just the chair. thanks for your imput! I just need to make up my mind. Im driving myself crazy.

My apologies! That's what happens when you answer posts late at night <g>. I did confuse the two brands. and mixed up Highland with Huntington in my head. Core softness / firmness is a matter of preference of course, and after 33 years in the furniture business I see a preference for firmer rather than softer in today's market. Most companies allow a customer / dealer to alter the cores at time of order and it's something I spend some time with on my in-store customers to try to get right. Even then, some clients are dissatisfied with the sit on their order and its really not difficult to make it right, provided that manufacturer offers choices in cores (This is not going to be an option with most imports, however). All cushion cores are sourced outside the maker and are not done in-house. The manufacturers order them as needed from third party suppliers, and typically replacements will ship direct from that supplier to the customer. These cores are actually more complex that most people realize, so it's good to get them from the original source. I've never had to have a customer wait more than 3 weeks for cores (domestic product), it only takes the dealer 5 minutes to order them - so long delays are the fault of the selling dealer rather then the maker/supplier. You should not have this much of a battle over a set of seat cores, sorry to hear that. If you are not getting any satisfaction from whom you are dealing with at Furnitureland South, perhaps go up a level or two to management. They have a large operation so I'm sure they have tiered layers of staff. Don't give up - this is easily fixable. Sammy: Yes, I do a lot of out-of-state business but I don't spend money to advertise so you won't see my store name out there but through Google searches. In upholstery lines, I'm a top tier dealer for Hancock & Moore (they build best in the industry), Century, Taylor King, Jessica Charles, Bradington Young and some dabbling in Hooker for customers seeking lower price points. - Duane Collie