Thanks all, the spa is going to be to the right in the picture and will spill into the pool (it is a giant hole at this point). The control system I have is the Jandy Aqualink RS (PDA). Most of the time it will be just me and my spouse. I added a 3 way to the return line before the check valve coming out of the filter (before the heater) so that the main pump can supply the 1.5" to the spa (spillover and chlorinate if I move the salt gen.) while the 2hp pump heats the spa and supplies the jets. I have 2 Hayward pumps, both are "Northstars" 1hp & 2hp. With the setup this way I should be able to chlorinate the spa while using and if it gets to be too much can divert or just shut off the main pump. I probably am overthinking this but I don't want to be stuck with what I've got and not be happy with it once the decking is poured.

The spa has been done for about 1 year now. We are very happy with the outcome. Here are the final pictures. Most things worked out great, a few things we would have done differently. 1. The polished granite plaster finish is great however it had to be installed twice. The first time the hose clogged and by the time the installers gave up on the hose and carried it in some had set up so it had a lot of cracks. 2. We had to have the plaster polished a few times as the first few installers did not have much experience. Be sure to check on the plaster installers experience with the finish and visit a reference if possible. 3. The salt / ozone / nature 2 system works great. We keep the clorine level at 1 and have not had any problems. 4. The Jandy remote is great but has some quirks. See my post on the Jandy variable speed pump. If you have a range issue, pick a different channel. It controls the pump, waterfall, yard lights, blower, chlorine and ozone. 5. A bit concerned as to the life of the Jandy heater. We had a sensor on the heater fail at the 12 month mark. The 400,000 BTU unit was the way to go. About 30 minutes to temperature in the summer and 2 hours in the winter. 6. The installer, Carlonia Pool King, has been very good about post intallation service and fixing any defects. 7. The variable speed pump is super. Most of the time we run it at 750rpm and you can't even tell it is on. It only runs at 2750 rpm for two hours in the morning so the chlorine generator works. It has to have a minimum amount of flow to produce chlorine. At full speed the 2HP motor can run the waterfall and 8 jets with no problem. 8. The gunite guys knocked the jet pipes around a little and the angle and heights are not quite as designed. Double check the heights after the rebar goes in and be sure to have a clear drawing handy so the seats go in correctly. 9. The LED lights are the only way to go. Love the color choices. 10. I like the different waterway jets we selected but a couple of them pop out fairly easily if you twist them to control the volume. Not sure why. 11. The waterfall is really nice. The dog like to lie down in the hot water. 12. Very happy we put in yard lights at the same time and connected to the remote. 13. Shocked at how expensive it is to repair sprinklers. We basically had to re-install the entire back yard.

wow.... 10% down... our project was for $90,000... In California, Pool Builders are only allowed to collect $200.00 down and the rest in stages although most contracts seem to be front loaded when the consumer has to come up with roughly 50% of the job by the time gunite is completed. I think we paid $9000.00 or 10% after dig and $9000.00 after steel.. or 10%... another 27,000 or 30% after partial electrical and completed gunite. so we were into it for $45,000 and all we had was gunite. I know from talking to subs that the builder had only spent 2000.00 on dig and 3500.00 for steel and his gunite cost was 5500.00 and misc plumbing was 2500. not even complete plumbed out yet. so he was 13,500 out of pocket and I had already paid $45,000.00?? I guess they get their profit first before completing the job? who knows... our project also included an outdoor kitchen/bar and BBQ and fireplace with 2500 sq. ft of stamped and colored decking that was also into the price and was added to the individual payment program.. when the builder is building you much more than a pool, it is quite easy to feel you are on the wrong side of a front loaded contract.. the price of the Deck/BBQ/Bar/Kitchen/fireplace were all included in the intial payment plan.. yet the builder was not even close to even starting any of those items when we were 1/2 way thru with the payment plan. I feel your pain... good luck

whatareuthinking, I was reading your response and appreciate the constructive criticism but you have me a bit confused on some of your questions and statements. I just replied to all to make it simple. a) it looks like one valve is going to be in the dirt After concrete was pored it still clears the dirt line. b) the new spa plumbing is touching the reinforcing steel (not the prescribed 2" clearance from plumbing to steel as the engineers decree!). This was my suggestion. This is a remodel, not a new build. I wanted the jets in a specific area so they cut some corners here without compromising the integrity of the existing structure. c) How are you going to clean out the jet pump? The dumb asses forgot a valve on the intake line... are you going to drain the spa down every time you want to get hair, dirt, rocks, lizards, etc. out of the pump trap? This is where you got me. I just don't know wtf you are talking about here. I simply remove the lid while the pump is turned off, remove the trap, clean and replace. Why would I need a valve to do this? The pump is higher than the pool. Gravity will not allow the water to go threw the pump while I clean it. d) why so many damn elbows enroute from the pump to filter?? Couldn't they have turned the filter towards the heater (90 degrees)? They could have eliminated a few elbows, saved themselves some time & money, and made the system more efficient... You actually had me thinking on this one. I examined my setup to eliminate elbows when I noticed the real problem. Even if the PB had turned the filter inline with the heater, its the Vario Valve that is F'ing everything up. It requires 3 to 4 unneeded elbows no matter how the filter is situated. This will be going on ebay as soon as I get the DE Quad filter which will not have a valve at all. I will take your advice here and direct this towards the heater. Thanks man. Anymore advise?