CMP Eyeball Jet Fitting, Hydrostream 1″ Hole, Black, 25552-404-000

This is the Hydrostream style eyeball jet fitting, part number 25552-404-000, in black. It threads into a 1-1/2 inch female return with a male pipe thread and finishes in a 1 inch opening.

What the restricted opening does

An open return dumps water into the pool at low speed and the pool never really turns over. Narrowing the outlet to an inch raises the velocity of what comes out, which is what drives circulation across the surface and along the floor. That is the whole point of a Hydrostream fitting, and it is why swapping a plain return for one of these usually makes the skimmer work harder for you.

Aiming it

The eyeball swivels inside its seat so the return can be pointed. Aim it toward the corner that always collects leaves, or angle it downward to sweep the floor toward the main drain and the skimmer. Set it, run the pump, and adjust once you can see where the debris is going.

Replacing an old one

Eyeballs chalk, crack and seize in place over the years. Because the fitting threads into the wall fitting rather than being part of it, you can change the eyeball on its own and leave the plumbing alone.