All returns should be pointed in the same direction. How high on the skimmer mouth are you keeping your water level? Too high and they will not create much suction if any.
Pool return direction
- Thread starter DerekBooth
- Start date
- Jul 16, 2012
- 7,206
- Pool Size
- 27000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
I'm not at all convinced that the aiming of your returns has anything to do with your water clarity. And I really believe it has zero to do with it. Sure, in an ideal world, the volume of pool water is nicely circulating about throughout the water column. But just by the pump running, the water in the pool gets circulated pretty well. Maybe not well enough to skim effectively, or to eliminate dust settling in one area versus another, but almost certainly well enough to distribute chemicals, which is the primary the reason for cloudy water. As stated earlier, the water is just as cloudy in the shallow end as the deep end, it is just more obvious when looking through more water depth.
My advice is, in order to obtain the best possible skimming, is to continue fine tuning your return directions. But to obtain clear water, test and treat your water properly, which if your water is cloud (i.e. not crystal clear) is to follow the SLAM Process.
I notice that you are not sharing your Pool Math logs. Can you share a complete set of test results, and what test kit you are using to get them? That will allow us to address chemical issues.
My advice is, in order to obtain the best possible skimming, is to continue fine tuning your return directions. But to obtain clear water, test and treat your water properly, which if your water is cloud (i.e. not crystal clear) is to follow the SLAM Process.
I notice that you are not sharing your Pool Math logs. Can you share a complete set of test results, and what test kit you are using to get them? That will allow us to address chemical issues.
Try having an AG pool with wedding cake steps, the lack of flow in around them is an algae nightmare.
I have a similar dead zone in my pool, curious to see if any improvements are found. I just have one of the kids go out with a net once and a while to skim the surface.
You can get different “eyeballs” for your returns that can assist with flow, remember water goes its easiest route, normally the first return has lots of flow where the others off that line won’t, that’s where I put a smaller eyeball to force the water to other returns.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 13,702
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
They are. I only adjust them to point up and out to push the floating scum toward the skimmers because that seems to be the only way to avoid using a net on half the surface of the pool daily. Water level is about halfway.
Clarity has improved a ton. I was slamming already when I posted this thread. I've also been adding DE fiber to my sand filter.
Here is my current log.
==========================================
------------------------------------------
Build Type: Vinyl
Volume: 25000 gallons
------------------------------------------
Latest Test Result Summary:
FC: 6.0 (8 minutes ago)
CC: 0.0 (8 minutes ago)
pH: 7.6 (8 minutes ago)
TA: 60 (8 minutes ago)
CH: 10 (8 minutes ago)
CYA: 55 (8 minutes ago)
TEMPERATURE: 50° (one month ago)
==========================================
Any suggested eyeballs? Mine are all the same size. 3/4" I'm guessing.
Yes, but that takes many days usually.
They're not now.
And apparently the skimmers aren't moving much of it around either.
If you are getting any debris in your skimmers then they are working. If you have two skimmers and they are not both plumbed independently then the second one won’t have pull if any. Water level can affect skimming action as well, 1/3 up the mouth of the skimmer pulls more than 1/2 up the skimmer. Having the main drain open too much will reduce water being pulled by the skimmers. Placement in regard to prevailing winds can also affect their pull.
They're plumbed on the same line and both catching debris. Main drain is open maybe 5%.
I've played with water levels and watched the sucking action of each skimmer and I believe they're optimal. One thing to mention is one skimmer seems to sit about a half inch to inch lower than the other.
My main issue is that scum on the surface of the water seems to swirl on the side of the pool that is opposite the skimmers.
Maybe I just need to chalk this up to a bad design...
Sorry if I'm being a pest, but i have tried all suggestions so far, with the exception of buying eyeballs with smaller holes. My skimmers still are not skimming the entire surface of the pool.
Any other ideas? Very frustrating.
Any other ideas? Very frustrating.
csconner
Bronze Supporter
- May 8, 2020
- 121
- Pool Size
- 8000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
I’d second the recommendation regarding a different size return. Look on Amazon, you can find them with 1”, 3/4”, 1/2” openings along with slotted.
I’d recommend getting a selection of these and swap them around to try and get more surface circulation. Smaller should produce more pressure.
Question, I’m not familiar with your primary pump is that a single speed, dual speed, variable speed? I assume second/booster is for your pressure cleaner?
Also, what happens if you shut down one skimmer? Can you generate better circulation and skimming?
I’d recommend getting a selection of these and swap them around to try and get more surface circulation. Smaller should produce more pressure.
Question, I’m not familiar with your primary pump is that a single speed, dual speed, variable speed? I assume second/booster is for your pressure cleaner?
Also, what happens if you shut down one skimmer? Can you generate better circulation and skimming?
Last edited:
csconner
Bronze Supporter
- May 8, 2020
- 121
- Pool Size
- 8000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
PM, not to argue, as I’m not a really experienced OP.
I have a Paramount ParaSkim skimmer that includes a Venturi that really skims exceptionally well. The Venturi is essentially another return, deeper in the pool (30” deep), with a very small high pressure nozzle, this unit even works really well at low pump speed (950RPM).
I get 95% of the surface skimmed very effective after some careful return adjustments.
A venturi pool skimmer is 200% more powerful, reducing maintenance time
Choosing the right pool skimmer will dramtically reduce maintenance time. A venturi pool skimmer is 200% more effective than any regular skimmer.
www.1paramount.com
I have to admit this was pure luck. PB included as part of package, I was unaware until I did my research of the unit, reviewed lots of posts here and then spent most of first summer, adjusting my Three returns.
I grew up in So. Cal with a gunite pool with single speed pump, sand filter and deep diving pool and old school skimmer, so this is a significant improvement.
this ParaSkim is fantastic.. unfortunately it’s not a post build / replacement unit.
Thanks.
Venturi returns aren’t used in a lot of pools but still won’t pull water from the whole surface area. There is a reason why poolskim sells like crazy. Years ago 1 skimmer and 2 returns for an 18x36 pools was the norm, now it’s not uncommon to see these pools with two returns and up to 6 returns. You gain surface movement by having properly sized eyeballs plus proper direction.