Aim my jets, please!

[dennislaughlin]

Hey all. Need some help with return aiming. Pics show how they’re aimed now and this is how they’ve been for several years. I get good water change over and circulation but I feel my skimmers aren’t operating to their full potential.

Deets:
~28k gallons
Hayward VS pump
Hayward Sand Filter with glass media

Any thoughts?

 

[ajw22]

That is about as good as you can get with where your returns are placed.

I would have placed all the returns on the opposite wall from your skimmers but it is too late now.

What speed are you running your Intelliflo for skimming and for how long?

 

[dennislaughlin]

That is about as good as you can get with where your returns are placed.

I would have placed all the returns on the opposite wall from your skimmers but it is too late now.

What speed are you running your Intelliflo for skimming and for how long?

Thanks.

Running 2400 rpm for 12 hrs during the day and 750 rpm for 12 hrs over night.

 

[reggiehammond]

Can you valve off your main drain? It will help your skimmers immensely.
I run ~1400rpm 24/7 - you might consider a lower, more consistent speed and check results.

 

[dennislaughlin]

Can you valve off your main drain? It will help your skimmers immensely.
I run ~1400rpm 24/7 - you might consider a lower, more consistent speed and check results.

I can, yes. With all valves wide open, my skimmers do suck hard. There’s a nice “tornado” in the skimmer. I just didn’t know if my jets weren’t aimed correctly.

 

[ajw22]

Actually a tornado in the skimmer is not what you want. A calm flow over the weir doors is more effective.

You do have weir doors that swing freely with the water level?

 

[dennislaughlin]

I do have weir doors. Also, TIL that they are called weir doors and not skimmer flaps.

I will adjust my valves to achieve a calm flow and not a tornado! Thanks!

 

[ajw22]

How are your skimmers placed relative to your prevailing winds?

If the winds are working against your skimmers the wind will keep debris away from the skimmers.

 

[dennislaughlin]

How are your skimmers placed relative to your prevailing winds?

If the winds are working against your skimmers the wind will keep debris away from the skimmers.

Winds tend to come from the south, west, and north. The skimmers are on the west side of the pool. Fortunately it isn’t that windy here, but when it is, it’s either early or late season.

 

[mas985]

Water comes out of the returns in straight lines not curves so I don't understand your drawing.

Have you tried point some of the returns directly at the skimmers? That can sometimes work better than trying to get water to move in a circle.

 

[dennislaughlin]

Water comes out of the returns in straight lines not curves so I don't understand your drawing.

Have you tried point some of the returns directly at the skimmers? That can sometimes work better than trying to get water to move in a circle.

Sorry, I couldn’t draw a straight line on my phone lol.