What size orifice on returns (jets)?

[Cobra9777]

Hi. Great forum; I'm looking forward to being able to search.

My question is this:

I seem to have somewhat poor circulation and some dead spots around benches and sharp curves where I get algae occasionally. I'm thinking of enlarging the holes in the returns (jets) to get more flow. Would like some advice on whether this is a good idea, and if so, what size I should go up to? Here are some background facts:

- 19K gal in-ground
- 3HP pump
- Pentair cartridge filter (just cleaned)
- minimum PSI after clean = 12
- I usually clean cartridges at 20-22 PSI
- 6 returns
- all returns currently have 1/4 inch orifice

[PoolDoc]

You'll need to see if there's some reason why your builder (?) stuck those super small orifices in there. Do you have solar panels up high? A pool pump powered pressure side pool vacuum? (Sp-p-puttering p's!)

The reason is, you may find you 'break' something by replacing the orifices. That said, creating backpressure like that is a common, but horrendously inefficient way of solving flow problems.

Are they really 1/4" orifices? That is almost certainly, way too small. Most PVC returns have replaceable eyeballs, like this one:
Hayward SP1419C White 1/2-Inch Opening Flow Inlet Fitting with 1-1/2-Inch MIP Thread

You can get *just* the eyeball, but you'd probably have to go through a dealer locally, and it might be cheaper to order the whole ring, body and eyeball, as shown in the Amazon link above.

[Watermom]

A 3hp pump on a 19K pool???

[Watermom]

I found this original thread of yours after I saw that you re-registered under a different username. PoolDoc gave you some of his thoughts on your problem but you hadn't come back and replied any more so that may be why he didn't finish upgrading your registration.

We have SO many people who register each week that it is hard to keep up with them all. Many times, the person gets a reply or two and then never comes back and so those posts may or may not ever be moved into the regular section of the forum.

At any rate, you can see the rest of the forum if you log out first. Hopefully, yours will be finished soon so you will be a full-fledged member!

[Cobra9777_confused]

Thanks Watermom. I am still not able to post a response (or do anything, other than log in) under my original username. But apparently, I am able to respond under this new one (_confused). Would really appreciate it if you guys could just enable my username (Cobra9777) so I can search and post. Thanks!