OK gang - I found a local source for flexible PVC, at $3 a foot. That is a LOT more than the online sources I have found, but none of them will automatically give me the shipping costs so I can't determine the final cost. The stuf isn't so much heavy (at least in the small quantities I am looking at - I don't need 100'!) as it is bulky. Will the price double once shipping is added in? If so, I'll stick with local. Otherwise, I think I will buy online.

As for the actual plumbing - it has been recommended that I add in some bypass valves, etc. So I am thinking that while it would be the easiest way, it ISN'T a good idea to just run a line from the filter to the panel, and from the panel to the inlet. Instead, I want a valve on the line that runs from the filter to the panel, and a valve on a line that runs from the panel back to the pool. And that means I also need to have a line that will run from the filter direct to the pool, so that if I use the bypass valves I can still get water running. Is that right?

I can't draw a picture (is there a trick to getting the typed characters to line up correctly?), but it would involve two "T" joints on the line that runs from the filter to the inlet, and off of each "T" would be a line, with a valve, that runs to the panel. To bypass the panel, I would close the two valves.

Does that sound reasonable?

Thanks!
Linda (feeling better about this process)