Help with return flow direction

Nov 24, 2016
79
Davenport Florida
here is my pool with what seems to me as weird return jet placement... the shallow end has a seat the entire width of that end...

I'm really confused about flow direction for one. I read it depends on where you are located, well if it matters i'm in coastal Georgia.
so do i go clock wise or counter clockwise? It looks to me that counter clockwise makes more sense with the jet placements.

i do have a main drain in the deep end. And I run a polaris daily.

i tried to figure this out myselft, but the set up just seems weird. Advice is greatly appreciated.

This unkept pool came with the house and i'm determined to have learned how to take care and maintain it before summer hits!




 
I would be inclined to go clockwise because I think return #4 might blow debris right past the skimmer. It also depends on the prevailing wind direction too. You might also try pointing return #2 down a little more to help move debris off the bench.
 
This looks to me like incorrect skimmer placement, how is any surface debris, dust, and insects supposed to get directed to the skimmer?
Number 3 return should be in the same wall as 1 and 2 with the skimmer at the other end wall where you currently have return 3.
I have 3 returns in an end wall and my skimmer in the centre of the opposing end wall as I describe above, then I found these things on the net called "circulators" you can see them at http://www.thecirculator.com. They cost 50 dollars each. You remove the eyeballs you currently have in the returns and the circulators easily install by screwing the adapter that comes with them onto where the eyeballs were. The circulators come with semi circular hoods on them and you can use the hoods to direct the flow of your return pressure.
Does this existing arrangement get the surface debris into your skimmer? Or do you constantly have to use the screen and do it by hand?
If it is working for you.......then, if it isn't broke don't fix it is the way to go.
If you want to create a flow in your pool, you can get the Circulators described above.
If you go the Circulator method, I would try Clockwise first. Why? Because your current arrangement looks like return 4 create a dead spot between it.....and the end of the pool.
You could turn the hoods on the Circulators for return 3 and 4 to create a clockwise flow and you can try turning the hood for return 2 down so it creates a flow on the bottom of your pool and return 1 towards the bench step. See how that works and you can play with the combination that works best.
With or without Circulators, I would adjust your valves so you create more suction at your skimmer.
I leave my skimmer valve full open and partially close my main drain suction so it create more of a flow suction into the skimmer.
upload photos
 
the pool is new to me, came with the house we just bought, so i don't know if anything is working or not.
,
seems to me all corners are dead spots. there's nothing in the right corner by the steps leading into the pool

i don't have a problem usually with the corner of return 4, but to the left of return 1, that's also a big dead spot.

i just changed them so they are all pointing down and to the left. they were kinda what ever facing :(

i have a floating temp guage, and that is going in a fairly slow circle around the pool, skipping the shallow end mostly though.
 
so experimenting, i decided to point jet 3 straight, so as to be pointing directly at the stairs getting into the pool, that is pushing the water all the way down,
i also decided to point jet straight just a little to the right facing jet 3, that seems to pushing water to the jet 4 that then pushes to the stairs on the opposite end.

Jet 2 i aimed at the skimmer, to the left. and jet 1 is as far right that i could get it with it still pointed down. and that's creating a slight ripple keeping things from getting trapped in the corner... i will see how this works for the next couple days.

i decided not to worry too much about directing anything down, i have a main drain in the deep end and i also run a polaris daily.

i get a lot of leaves, and it's important for those to get to the skimmer before sinking.

until recently i was emptying my skimmer basket 4 or more times a day, now that the trees are almost bare it's not nearly as much. just once a day.
 
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