Spa nozzle blockage

[jpm121]

(new pool owner, still figuring out what all we have and how it works. We're in Arizona, pretty far from major cities so pro help is somewhat limited.)

We had a pool technician (recommended by the previous owners) come out and show us around our new pool, we asked about one of the spa jets that doesn't push water. He poked around and determined "something" was blocking it, but didn't get it fixed. After he left, I found my bore camera and poked it about 10-12" inside, and discovered this (all the other nozzles are clear):


I don't know if that's a hunk of plastic or calcium or what, but it's clearly the problem.

My questions are -- (a) what is this nozzle, and (b) could I put use a socket on an extension and unscrew that hex thing, and then try fish out the the offending blockage? Or is that fitting permanently installed?

We've never had any bubbles in the spa either, I don't know if this is blocking water flow and preventing it. The pool guy said there should be an inlet somewhere for air lines, but we have not been able to find anything around the yard.

Thanks for any ideas, I've been reading and learning a ton here.

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Yes, the hex thing should unscrew.

Debris is often found in the nozzles of newly built spas.

Post pictures of your equipment pad.

Do you have any pictures of your build and the spa plumbing before gunite?

 

[jpm121]

Thank you.

No we don't have any pictures or blueprints from the build. Based on the age of the components, it was estimated that the pool is 10-20 years old.

Here are a few photos of the pad equipment, there used to be an ozone generator and possibly a solar heater in the mix, before our time.



I'm not even sure what I'd be looking for in terms of an air supply. I've also wondered if the aged pump just isn't pushing enough pressure to make bubbles.