Best water circulation is when returns are set 45 degrees downward What to do when vortices appear that defeat the skimmer?

The best way to beat this problem is to replace the return jets with a ninety degree setup that had a larger opening than the eyes that you find in the return jets. these can still be pointed downwards, along the wall of the pool and give very good control over the direction of the pools currents, which in turn gives you more control over the skimming.