Return Aiming and Skimmer Performance, or Lack Thereof

[Plettschner]

Lately it seems like my skimmer just isn't doing a great job, so I have been fiddling with the aiming of the return eyeballs in an attempt to help circulation of surface water to skimmer. (Sorry for the low res Google Earth image) The magenta is my single skimmer and the red are the three returns.

The one on the left is aimed down toward the upper left corner. The middle one is aimed down and toward the upper right corner. the right one is aimed just slightly up and straight out to move the surface water.

Any suggestions?

 

[mas985]

Which way does the wind blow?

Is debris collecting anywhere specific?

The middle one I might point directly at the skimmer so anything that passes in front of the skimmer gets pushed directly into the skimmer.

 

[Plettschner]

Which way does the wind blow?

Is debris collecting anywhere specific?

The middle one I might point directly at the skimmer so anything that passes in front of the skimmer gets pushed directly into the skimmer.

Good idea with the middle return. I'm going to try that and see if it helps.

Wind doesn't really seem to come from any specific direction that I have noticed. I'll try to pay attention to it.

Only place I seem to notice some floating debris collecting is here in the blue circle...

 

[Plettschner]

Also worth noting: the right return is closest to the pump and has the most pressure/flow.

 

[jtpipkin]

just my opinion, but i struggle with the same issue. my feeling is that they should all point in the same direction as to 'circulate' the water in the pool. it's not perfect, but with all the experimenting i've done, it's the only thing that seems to work. the shape of your pool may make that a little more difficult. but with water being pushed against itself, i can't see how it would stand a chance to 'flow' by the filter...?

 

[Jimrahbe]

P,

I like to try to get my pool water to swirl like a giant flushing toilet bowl, but obviously much, much slower. To me this means that all the returns point in the same direction.

That said, the biggest factor in a properly working skimmer is the weir door.. These are often not installed or missing. Do you have a little weir door that floats up and down with the water between your pool and the skimmer basket?

Water level is another factor.. The higher the water level, the less skimming action there will be. About in the middle of the skimmer mouth is the best spot.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Plettschner]

P,

I like to try to get my pool water to swirl like a giant flushing toilet bowl, but obviously much, much slower. To me this means that all the returns point in the same direction.

That said, the biggest factor in a properly working skimmer is the weir door.. These are often not installed or missing. Do you have a little weir door that floats up and down with the water between your pool and the skimmer basket?

Water level is another factor.. The higher the water level, the less skimming action there will be. About in the middle of the skimmer mouth is the best spot.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Yes, the weir door is there and working properly as far as I can tell. Water level is a bit high end after some heavy rains last week, though with the crazy heat wave this week, it has been dropping... should be mid level of skimmer by tomorrow, and then more rain is coming! I do tend to try to keep water on high side from the rains because I have well water with a bit of iron that I try to use as little as possible of.

I can't really see anyway to point all of the returns the same flow direction without some kind of 90 degree on the middle and left ones. Should I keep the middle one as it is but aim it level or a hair up rather than down how I have it now?

 

[otter86753]

We had a similar issue with inheriting a pool with returns that don't play well with the skimmer location. I use Hydrostream Jet Fitting Slotted - White to aim one of my returns to get a swirling action for my pool.

 

[Plettschner]

We had a similar issue with inheriting a pool with returns that don't play well with the skimmer location. I use Hydrostream Jet Fitting Slotted - White to aim one of my returns to get a swirling action for my pool.

How'd it work? Seems like it would be quite restrictive.

I have one of these V-Fitting venturi return things on the left return in the narrow part of pool. The claims seem mostly gimmicky but it does seem to "bend" the outlet stream more than an eyeball and doesn't seem terribly restrictive.

 

[otter86753]

It works great. It is minimally restrictive, but ensures great circulation to skim the pool surface.

 

[Selenap]

I have but one solitary return on my pool. I aim it towards and slightly down from the skimmer. If the wind blows a lot of junk into the pool I drop my sub pump onto the steps on the far end and turn it on its side to propel water along the wall to the skimmer. It works.

 

[Plettschner]

Wondering if experimenting with outlet eyeball opening sizes will have much effect. The center and right are the standard Hayward 5/8" or 3/4" opening eyeballs. I have a couple of extras and was thinking maybe bore one out larger to use on the right side return... that one has the biggest impact on the circular flow and also has the most pressure. If that pans out, I could also put a Hydrosweep slotted fitting on the center return. and see how that goes.

I'm focusing a lot on the surface flow... should I also keep in mind the deeper water flow? That's the reason I have the center return pointing down and to the right... to keep the deep end water mixing/circulating.

Also worth noting: I keep my valve on the main drain/skimmer pipes at about 70 skimmer and 30 main drain. Anything more than that and the pressure at the filter drops and the pump is pulling some air in (probably around valve).

 

[jtpipkin]

I only have two returns - tried the thin opening, way too much restriction. I've also found that aimed upward to just break the surface tension works best for my skimming. Logically, aiming down would rotate the water, but it never seemed to work well for skimming. I keep the top layer rotating and it skims the best... Maybe it's just my pool

 

[mas985]

Wondering if experimenting with outlet eyeball opening sizes will have much effect. The center and right are the standard Hayward 5/8" or 3/4" opening eyeballs. I have a couple of extras and was thinking maybe bore one out larger to use on the right side return... that one has the biggest impact on the circular flow and also has the most pressure. If that pans out, I could also put a Hydrosweep slotted fitting on the center return. and see how that goes.

I'm focusing a lot on the surface flow... should I also keep in mind the deeper water flow? That's the reason I have the center return pointing down and to the right... to keep the deep end water mixing/circulating.

Also worth noting: I keep my valve on the main drain/skimmer pipes at about 70 skimmer and 30 main drain. Anything more than that and the pressure at the filter drops and the pump is pulling some air in (probably around valve).

Reducing the eyeball size increases the velocity of the water coming out of the return. However, it also reduces the flow rate because it has higher head loss. Trade off.