Not sure how I can quote from another email but this was from "Searcher"
""There is no way, no how that a 3 HP motor should be any where near a 12K gallon pool. The "installers" probably piped it out with 1 1/2 inch pipe as well. Sigh!"

I have to defend my PB somewhat. I opted for a larger pump and to run it at lower speeds since I was told that makes sense. I also have a water shear that looks really nice at 80% of full throttle 3hp

My goal is to run the pumps less, but since I don't know much about the pool yet I decrease runtime gradually and the input I received here is very helpful.

BTW I used this formula that I found somewhere to calculate head: (2.31 *filter psi + 3)*1.25
(1.25 is for 25% friction loss, since I have 2 and 2.5 inch pipes, 3 is added since the filter is 3 feet high).

(2.31*4+3)*1.25 ~15 feet (1500 rpm) from chart: 40 gpm
2.31*12+3)*1.25 ~40 feet (3000 rpm) from chart 120 gpm

Does the math make sense? Thanks again for all the help!

Olaf