Is a return eyeball needed?

[jersey]

Is a return eyeball necessary? My filter pressure is 19 with the eyeball in and 9 with it out. With it in and facing up and toward the shallow end, the surface of the pool water moves and is rippling. Without the eyeball the top of the water is close to stagnant.

I've used a return eyeball for 8 years. This year the pipe fittings going into and out of the filter were dripping, so the pool guys came over. Pool guys took the eyeball out and the filter pressure dropped from 19 to 9 and the dripping stopped.

He says I don't need an eyeball return and a pressure of 9 is fine. He recommended leaving it out.

Visually, when the eyeball is in it looks like the water is circulating much better.

Is the pool guy right? (I don't need the eyball and a pressure of 9 is fine). Or are my instincts right and the eyeball really does help the water circulate and clean the water better? Thanks!

 

[Teald024]

I think your pool guy was going for the easy, cheap fix. He didn't fix the issue, he just made it not happen. A pool needs good circulation and the directional eye helps with that. The surface doesn't need to roll, but you want to move the water around the pool. I'd suggest putting the eyeball back in and then fixing your leaky connections properly.

 

[Jimrahbe]

J,

How many returns (eyeballs) do you have? I like the idea that you can point them to make the water flow in a particular direction, but I'm not all that sure that the amount of filter pressure has a lot to do with it..

I run my pump at about 1200 rpm and at that speed my filter pressure is less than 2 lbs... yet I get plenty of circulation. (Four returns with eyeballs in each one.)

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jersey]

Thanks everyone! I think I'll go with the suggestions and keep the eyeball in. Now I have to figure out how to fix the leak...

I only have one working retun, so that's our only option.

 

[Teald024]

Which filter do you have? If it has threaded connections, then it might not be very difficult at all with a saw, some schedule 40 pipe fittings from the local hardware store and some elbow grease. If you need more advice, post a pic of the offending filter/pipes and we can set up a plan.

 

[Arizonarob]

You can also change out the size of the eyeball itself. Larger=less restriction and still be able to direct water, smaller=more restriction and faster water movement.

 

[sktn77a]

You can also change out the size of the eyeball itself. Larger=less restriction and still be able to direct water, smaller=more restriction and faster water movement.

Yes, the eyeballs come in 1", 3/4" and 1/2". What size do you have now? As stated above, you need to fix the leaks at your filter but a larger eyeball may still keep water circulating in the pool while lowering the pressure some.

 

[Melnic]

Question, you guys mention moving water with the eyeballs, Where would I look for more info on configuring the direction of my eyeballs? I have 4 and all of them are not in place, I ordered new ones and will be installing them next week.
I also noticed my starting filter pressure was lower than last year and maybe the eyeballs were the reason.

 

[Teald024]

Where you point them depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Feel free to start a new thread if you want to discuss it further.