Cornbuzzer, Up sizing your pump or having bigger holes in the pre-filter will not solve the plugging problem. The string algae will still plug everything up, including your pump's impeller, then you have more work to do, taking the pump apart every few days. You will have to start pulling the string algae (Filamentous Algae) out by hand or use a stick or a toilet brush to wind the string algae around and then pull it out of the pond. Hydrogen Peroxide (3% per volume) bought at a drugstore etc, can be poured over the string algae, at a rate of one pint per hundred gallons of water. This should turn the string algae dark brown and kill it off within a few days, after which, the dead stuff should be netted out of the pond. Note.Hydrogen Peroxide will not work on suspended algae (i.e "Green water"). Take a look at David's post about killing/removing string algae from a deep area of a pond.(linked below) Here is a link that might be useful: David's post about string algae.

> what is this about the Drake II flapper? The standard flapper looks like this: That hole on the side allows it to fill with water and fall closed fairly quickly. But you can get a flapper designed for Toto's (now discontinued) low-end "Power Gravity" commodes (rather than "G-max", etc.) that is interchangable, but doesn't have the hole on the side (and sometimes a hole gap reducer on the bottom) which makes the flapper stay open longer before falling shut: These pictures are actually not of the Toto-branded flappers but rather of generic Korky replacements, but from what I read, they actually make the part for Toto, and the ones they sell under their own brand, in this case # 2022BP, are identical except for packaging, and even have "Toto" embossed on them, but are less expensive. You can also get this Korky 3060BP adjustable flapper which Home Depot sells in their stores, which lets you rotate the sleeve that opens or closes holes on its side: > I will be installing the Maris (has the same flushing system as the Drake II). Are you sure? A quick look online shows a more elaborate dual-flush setup > Your flap solution is an awfully expensive upgrade. You can get a replacement flapper for $10. > Questions: > Where did you get your information about the flap? From a plumber who has worked on these > How would I find out what kind of flap I have on the Maris? Toto's website has parts diagrams for all their current products. They show two versions of the Maris, one with a conventional tank and one with a tank that's hidden behind the wall between the studs. Both of them are dual-flush units, which I have no experience with, but these don't seem to use conventional flappers but rather a more elaborate flush valve assembly, either THU356 (regular tank) or THU322href> (in-wall tank). Note: I have not actually used this exact product on my Drake II; rather I bought the adjustable flapper to replace a solid flapper from a Gerber Viper 1.28gpf that I thought could use more water per flush, then moved the old Gerber flapper to the Toto, which made it flush using a bit more water, though I should note that it does a fine job even with 1.28gpf and I may switch back. I'm just paranoid about overflowing toilets when there's expensive new carpeting right outside the bathroom.

Hey Lindybarts!!! We had Kohler in the other house and have 4 Totos in our new home. The Kohler's always backed up and in almost a year (you're right has it really BEEN a year now?) we have had NO problems with the Totos (we have the Whitney). I have to laugh at the "slamming of the lids"....been there, done that....and it IS embarrasing! I don't remember did you have to pick out your toilets or did the contractor? If you did there's probably not much he'll do for you. Even if he did and the job was done correctly there's probably not much chance if it's the toilet design... though if it was installed slightly off balance it could be his fault. Another option might be to contact Kohler and see if you can upgrade (though you'ld still have a Kohler). On a side note.....Superchick... On a side note...at least you still HAVE a builder...ours is apparently fixing to go belly up and didn't pay some of our subs, so now we have two liens on our house! And all the punch list stuff will have to be contracted out by "yours truly"! SIGH... That kind of thing just eats at you doesn't it! But I know exactly how you feel. We didn't know it when we signed him but our GC's wife had just moved to Texas with their kids (her family lives there). As our build progressed (or should I say stagnated) GC spent more and more time in Texas and finally moved there. But, we hear he's now divorcing and moving back to California (lucky for Texas-bad for California). He still won't return calls and didn't KNOW the meaning of the term "punch list". But I'll bet you anything he'll want to show our house off to his next victim...uh I mean client. Here is a link that might be useful:

We have both Toto and AS toilets in 3 recent bathroom remodels. The Toto gets used the most as it's on the main level. It's not the model you show though it is one-piece, comfort height and elongated, but not skirted (regretful :-) ) It's been in place for about 5 years and we've never had a problem with it. We have the 2 AS Cadet 3 toilets mentioned above. We got 2-pc. toilets for upstairs just to be nice to the plumber (those 1-pc. suckers are heavy!). They've been in use in our upstairs hall bath and master bath for about a year. No issues with those either. The AS does have a shallower bowl than the Toto but that hasn't affected anything. We went with the AS mostly because of budget and have been happy with them.