Step Jet Returns or Not

tylerharm29

Member
Jan 5, 2025
9
Omaha, NE
Hello,
I’ve got a question relating to whether or not I need to add additional returns to my tanning ledge or not. I’m installing a 16ft x 32ft pool with 2 skimmers, main drains and 3 returns (currently). All plumbing is 2”. The attached drawing shows the skimmer locations in blue and return locations in red. Maximum water depth is 4ft-6”. The prevailing wind blows from the tanning ledge end to the “deep” end.

Here are my questions:
If I don’t add the additional returns to my tanning ledge area, am I going to have water circulation issues?

With a 2.2 variable speed pump, is the pump large enough to even support adding these 2 returns?

Opinions on current locations of skimmers and returns?

I’d prefer to not install these but I’d be willing to do so if it were recommended. If recommending these to be installed, please let me know the location the I should install.

Thank you
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0667.jpeg
    IMG_0667.jpeg
    77.3 KB · Views: 4
  • IMG_0777.jpeg
    IMG_0777.jpeg
    762.2 KB · Views: 4
  • IMG_0778.jpeg
    IMG_0778.jpeg
    840.6 KB · Views: 4
Hello,
I’ve got a question relating to whether or not I need to add additional returns to my tanning ledge or not. I’m installing a 16ft x 32ft pool with 2 skimmers, main drains and 3 returns (currently). All plumbing is 2”. The attached drawing shows the skimmer locations in blue and return locations in red. Maximum water depth is 4ft-6”. The prevailing wind blows from the tanning ledge end to the “deep” end.

Here are my questions:
If I don’t add the additional returns to my tanning ledge area, am I going to have water circulation issues?
Not so much on circulation but more about dirt accumulating on the shelf.
With a 2.2 variable speed pump, is the pump large enough to even support adding these 2 returns?
Yes, any pump can handle that but it may require running at higher RPM $$.

Opinions on current locations of skimmers and returns?
If wind blows right to left, the skimmer should be in the deep end where all the surface debris will end up. Also, with that size pool, 2 skimmers is a bit overkill. But it looks like they already cut out the skimmer locations so maybe it is too late?
 
Not so much on circulation but more about dirt accumulating on the shelf.

Yes, any pump can handle that but it may require running at higher RPM $$.


If wind blows right to left, the skimmer should be in the deep end where all the surface debris will end up. Also, with that size pool, 2 skimmers is a bit overkill. But it looks like they already cut out the skimmer locations so maybe it is too late?
I was told 1 skimmer can cover 400sq-ft of pool so since this was slightly over, I decided to go with 2. Thanks for the input on the other items.