Setting pool returns and light recommendation

This may be kinda dumb but I was just wondering what is recommended on how fast to turn the pool around. I have a 24' AG round pool with 2 returns and a wide mouth skimmer. I had a darkbuster light in the top return hole, due to going through too many bulbs I took it out and put a regular return back in. I have a 4 way valve so I can adjust the flow between the top and bottom return. I noticed that if I have the flow going fast, alot of stuff seems to miss the skimmer but if I have it too slow it doesn't skim real well either. My bottom return is pointing straight out. I have a 1 1/8 hp 2 speed pump running on low all of the time with a 200 lb poolco sand filter.

I would love to hear any light recommendations. It seems like I had to put a new bulb in mine every season and at $35 a pop it gets a little expensive for no more use than I got out of it. I looked at the Niteliter 50w light on ebay and would like to hear any opinions on these or any others y'all have good luck with.