Return jet orientation suggestions?

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MiguelACA

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May 12, 2020
261
Houston
I am trying to figure out the best way to set my return jets. I have 2 slotted returns, one on either side of the skimmer by the tanning ledge, and 3 normal returns. Slotted returns are pointed to the west, to sweep the tanning ledge. The other three returns are perpendicular to the wall. Wind typically blows to the west, and with the main drains and skimmer on the west end of pool, most of the debris floats to that side. Both skimmers collect debris, but the deep end one collects WAY more. Yesterday I adjusted returns to different orientations. The slotted return on the south side of the skimmer points north, the slotted return on the north side of the skimmer points west, the two returns on the north side point west and up towards the surface (not breaking the surface, just enough to cause movement up top, the turn on the south side points east and up towards the surface as well. I noticed that if there is no wind, the debris on the surface just hangs out there and isn't taken into the skimmers. I'll see if there is any noticeable difference once I'm home this afternoon. Thoughts? Suggestions?Screenshot_20210421-151338.jpg
 
Did you try asking them which orientation they preferred ?? This IS 2021 and all. :ROFLMAO:

Wouldn’t it make sense with the original setup that one skimmer would collect more as the swirl reached the wall in a outward spiral pattern ? Or being long and skinny it could be half swirl and half ricochet to that spot and not the other.
 
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The idea behind return jets is to move the freshly chlorinated water throughout the water table in your pool, think of circles tilted on their axis by 25 degrees, they are not designed to move debris from surface water. Proper placement of skimmers with Them being on the opposite side of the prevailing winds will help somewhat but there isn’t a pool designed that doesn’t require manually surface skimming with your skimmer net imo.
 
Pool_Medic said:
The idea behind return jets is to move the freshly chlorinated water throughout the water table in your pool, think of circles tilted on their axis by 25 degrees, they are not designed to move debris from surface water. Proper placement of skimmers with Them being on the opposite side of the prevailing winds will help somewhat but there isn’t a pool designed that doesn’t require manually surface skimming with your skimmer net imo.
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Hm, that makes sense. It's just frustrating that if there is no wind... Nothing moves...

So should I point my returns down into the water to get fresh water into the bottom versus up and disrupt the top to try and get debris into the skimmer?
 
Also, i saw a related post where the OP was instructed to mostly close the main drain... Leaving it open about 5%. I did that as well today. You can tell there is more suction into the skimmers now.... Doesn't hurt that i cleaned the cartridges in the filter today too... They were disgusting...
 
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Miguel,

I always suggest that you point the returns slightly up and that each one be pointed so that at least tries to make the pool water swirl like a very, very slowly moving flushing toilet bowl.

I also recommend that you only run your main drain at 5 or 10% open to have more suction go to the skimmers..

Do your skimmers have operating weir doors.. Skimmer do not skim well without them.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Jimrahbe said:
Miguel,

I always suggest that you point the returns slightly up and that each one be pointed so that at least tries to make the pool water swirl like a very, very slowly moving flushing toilet bowl.

I also recommend that you only run your main drain at 5 or 10% open to have more suction go to the skimmers..

Do your skimmers have operating weir doors.. Skimmer do not skim well without them.

Thanks,

Jim R.
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Main drains are more only slightly open, weir doors are operational. Returns are angled slightly up, just barely making a ripple on the surface, but not sure what direction they should be pointing... Towards the skimmers? Perpendicular to the wall? All pointed at one skimmer? Alternating?
 
Miguel,

I would point them all the same direction... All left or all right, it does not matter. The idea is to try to cause the water to "rotate"... It may not work in your pool, but that is what I would try first..

Water level effects skimming.. The lower the level the better the skimming, and the higher the worse it will skim.. If the water never changed its level than just to the bottom of the weir door would be best. But since the water level can change, the best compromise is right at the middle of the waterline tile.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 

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Jimrahbe said:
Miguel,

I would point them all the same direction... All left or all right, it does not matter. The idea is to try to cause the water to "rotate"... It may not work in your pool, but that is what I would try first..

Water level effects skimming.. The lower the level the better the skimming, and the higher the worse it will skim.. If the water never changed its level than just to the bottom of the weir door would be best. But since the water level can change, the best compromise is right at the middle of the waterline tile.

Thanks,

Jim R.
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I think i have an the regular returns aimed at the deep end and just slightly tilted up. We'll see what it does tomorrow. Not sure what to do with the slotted ones on the tanning ledge?
 
Jimrahbe said:
Miguel,

Or you could just change out the slotted ones with normal ones.. What is the main purpose of the slotted ones??

Thanks,

Jim R.
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The slotted ones are on the tanning ledge itself. If I was to swap them out for regular ones they would just turn into bubblers lol. The pool builder said he had put those in to "sweep" debris off the tanning ledge.

Right now I have one pointed north and one pointed west though to kind of get water moving around...seems to work? I guess i would have to try and either orient them to face the skimmer on the deep end, or face each other?
 
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