What direction to point returns?

Get yourself some ping pong balls and go to testing.. throw them in the pool with all the returns one way.. does it pull all of them into the skimmers? move the returns again, how about now? try to do the test with no wind... It may take a couple hours but you will find the best way that it works

mmesqc1578 said:

I've read to point returns down and all in same direction

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I have read that too - for me it absolutely doesn't work that way in order to get effective skimming - important with daily swimming dogs. This is going to be different for every pool though.

I think the reason(s) they say "down" is to keep the deeper water circulating, as well as to reduce the aeration from the return water breaking the surface.

My pool has a max depth of 5.5'.

I have one return pointing a little above horizontal, fully to the left, so that it "sweeps" my tanning ledge when the pump is on a high cycle. The return opposite that, is pointed horizontal and fully left as well - which really makes the overall circulation more of a "figure 8". My third return (on the same long side as my second) is also pointed left and slightly below horizontal (the deep end that has a bench seat) and my single skimmer is directly across from that return.

I have almost no wind - ever. So this works consistently for me. My back yard is quite surrounded by trees, but my house also sits down-hill from the street, so any breeze that is strong is really up and over the house and not reaching the pool.

You really have to take some time and watch what is happening. It took me a couple weeks to really tune mine, at different pump speeds.