I have a single return jet in this 1982 pool. It is almost directly across from the skimmer, currently equipped with a “Skim Doctor”. There is a vacuum port pretty much right below where I’m standing. I’d like help getting circulation improved to get better skimmer performance and still have decent pool water circulation, especially at the deep end, which is 9’.
Most of the time I run the pump to draw entirely from The standard instruction I’ve found is to point the return eyelet down and towards the skimmer. If I do that, it hits the skimmer wall and then flows back out, and I can see the surface ripples push out from the skimmer past the point where the skimmer pulls things in, keeping things from ever getting to the skimmer. There are two circular patterns that form on the shall and deep ends, with the shallow end collecting debris in the stairs.
With the return eyeball pointed down and slightly to the shallow end I get effective sweeping of the stairs and things on the edge of the shallow end gyre will get pulled from quite far into the skimmer. The lack of current making it around to the deep leaves stuff collecting to the far right of the picture, though.
Last year I rigged a second skimmer using the vacuum port, some PVC pipe, and a small above ground skimmer. It is a very ugly solution, but worked OK.
Last year I was also using a pressure-side Polaris 360 that was good at distributing return water throughout the pool. I got a Polaris 9650iq robot this year, and while I think it mixes things well, it doesn’t stay in running all the time like the Polaris360 did. The Polaris360 of course didn’t allow me to point my return anywhere, but the hose was good at dragging stuff around.
I just installed a VSP this year, and even going through a solar heater I don’t think I’ve got many issues getting enough flow through for turnover. At full speed it is enough to draw air in through the skimmer unless I keep the water at least an inch above the skimmer’s marked water line.
I’ll list what I see to be my current options, and I’d love to hear feedback, advice, or other options.
1. Keep the ugly second skimmer. This give a deep-end intake and solves the problem. I haven’t yet seen if it will cause issues with the robot
2. Get a pressure side skimmer device, one of those Venturi powered floating things. I feel like that could work but having only the single return I’d hate to restrict it so much.
3. Find a commercial, less ugly solution for an additional skimmer on the vacuum port. I’ve not seen a good one. There’s one that connects to a suction-side cleaner and moves around with it but it seems way too small to do much. The reviews are underwhelming, but maybe it does work well. There was a suction-side kreepy krauly when we bought the house in 2009, but I replaced it with the 360 when it got stuck at the ladder and wore a hole through the vinyl liner.
4. Attach a PVC tee to a threaded 1.5” fitting to attach to the return. Either have the tee output directly to the left and right of the return, or fit the ends with female threads and return jets. This is another “looks ugly” solution, but at least would give me more flexibility. Without eyeballs, the tee would be less restrictive then my current 1” opening return eye, I would think.
5. Break into the pool deck above the vacuum line and install a second skimmer, tying into that plumbing with a two-ported skimmer box. I’ve not look d into this much, and it frankly scares me to consider what might be involved or what damage I might cause.
Most of the time I run the pump to draw entirely from The standard instruction I’ve found is to point the return eyelet down and towards the skimmer. If I do that, it hits the skimmer wall and then flows back out, and I can see the surface ripples push out from the skimmer past the point where the skimmer pulls things in, keeping things from ever getting to the skimmer. There are two circular patterns that form on the shall and deep ends, with the shallow end collecting debris in the stairs.
With the return eyeball pointed down and slightly to the shallow end I get effective sweeping of the stairs and things on the edge of the shallow end gyre will get pulled from quite far into the skimmer. The lack of current making it around to the deep leaves stuff collecting to the far right of the picture, though.
Last year I rigged a second skimmer using the vacuum port, some PVC pipe, and a small above ground skimmer. It is a very ugly solution, but worked OK.
Last year I was also using a pressure-side Polaris 360 that was good at distributing return water throughout the pool. I got a Polaris 9650iq robot this year, and while I think it mixes things well, it doesn’t stay in running all the time like the Polaris360 did. The Polaris360 of course didn’t allow me to point my return anywhere, but the hose was good at dragging stuff around.
I just installed a VSP this year, and even going through a solar heater I don’t think I’ve got many issues getting enough flow through for turnover. At full speed it is enough to draw air in through the skimmer unless I keep the water at least an inch above the skimmer’s marked water line.
I’ll list what I see to be my current options, and I’d love to hear feedback, advice, or other options.
1. Keep the ugly second skimmer. This give a deep-end intake and solves the problem. I haven’t yet seen if it will cause issues with the robot
2. Get a pressure side skimmer device, one of those Venturi powered floating things. I feel like that could work but having only the single return I’d hate to restrict it so much.
3. Find a commercial, less ugly solution for an additional skimmer on the vacuum port. I’ve not seen a good one. There’s one that connects to a suction-side cleaner and moves around with it but it seems way too small to do much. The reviews are underwhelming, but maybe it does work well. There was a suction-side kreepy krauly when we bought the house in 2009, but I replaced it with the 360 when it got stuck at the ladder and wore a hole through the vinyl liner.
4. Attach a PVC tee to a threaded 1.5” fitting to attach to the return. Either have the tee output directly to the left and right of the return, or fit the ends with female threads and return jets. This is another “looks ugly” solution, but at least would give me more flexibility. Without eyeballs, the tee would be less restrictive then my current 1” opening return eye, I would think.
5. Break into the pool deck above the vacuum line and install a second skimmer, tying into that plumbing with a two-ported skimmer box. I’ve not look d into this much, and it frankly scares me to consider what might be involved or what damage I might cause.
The pool builders of 1982 did you no favors. 
Looks like you've come up with some reasonable options. I suspect running a line across the decking for an additional suction (skimmer) line or return (better circulation) is probably going to end-up being your go-to plan until such time you get tired of tripping over it and get out a concrete saw. I'm sure there are ways to disguise a line from above, but as you said not ideal. Really boils down to time, effort, and money you are willing to invest in the modification. Let's see if others have some ideas.
