Help needed: How to protect skimmer intake

[TheHarold]

How much room between that intake and the side of the sump? I got a simple idea if you have 3-4”

Yeah I do. I’m thinking of some sort of frame for a mesh

 

[Jay Z]

My drawing skills suck but you’ll get the jist of it.

It would kind of be a reverse sump sock standing up. Printed close bottom base with a hole on the side that would slide over the intake. Then a sock fits securely over the top. Then you just have to pull the sock off to change it out. Piece would stay attached.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Kind of pricy, but would 1000000% be worth it if I didnt have to take out the skimmer so often.Thanks

Back in the day we just called that Enkamat. Comes in various sizes and various coarseness/filtering ability. Wasn't that expensive.

 

[TheHarold]

My drawing skills suck but you’ll get the jist of it.

It would kind of be a reverse sump sock standing up. Printed close bottom base with a hole on the side that would slide over the intake. Then a sock fits securely over the top. Then you just have to pull the sock off to change it out. Piece would stay attached.

Though the sock would collapse and get into the pump- it would need a frame to keep it open.

 

[Jay Z]

Though the sock would collapse and get into the pump- it would need a frame to keep it open.

Printed frame. Like a big strainer to keep it from collapsing.

If the sock is 4” wide by 10” long the strainer itself would be printed or attached to the ring that would slide over the intake.

So the strainer would be 3.5” x 9.5”. Would hold the sock open. Then grab the top of the sock to remove, rinse, and put back on.

 

[Gareth elliott]

I have this on my mag drive, i think they are under $20. Most skimmers i have used have the same inlet size as this too.
Also this is after 1 month in a pond under a tree. No cleaning.

 

[Silver14SS]

https://www.marinedepot.com/overflow-strainer-slip if one of these fits maybe it’d work. Or a 90 pointed down almost touching the bottom?

 

[Jay Z]

 

[lapin]

Kind of pricy, but would 1000000% be worth it if I didnt have to take out the skimmer so often.Thanks

Aqua mesh. It was commonly called spaghetti mat when 3M held the patent. It was really expensive then.

 

[Bosco83]

So I keep getting tiny snails or bits of Chaetomorpha in my skimmer. Like this happens almost daily, for months. Its a giant Regal 350SSS skimmer, that with the self-cleaning head was supposed to be very independent. The bits of nasties in the needle wheel cut bubble production in half, rendering the skimmer useless.

I cant print anything fine enough to guard the intake. So I need to find a mesh of sorts?

Any suggestions on where to look?

 

[Bosco83]

I made this crude screen to cover the intake on my old skimmer for the same reason.

 

[Bosco83]

 

[lakai]

Kefir Fermenter: Container for Kefir Grains - for 0.6-1.5 L Jars

or

Roll over image to zoom in Bolio - Titanium Coated Stainless Steel Reusable Coffee Filter - Ultra Fine Mesh - Flower of Life Pattern (Size No.2)

 

[Silver14SS]

Here’s my crude attempt at keeping chaeto out of my skimmer. Used a file to make a L shaped notch in a bulkhead strainer, fingers crossed that it works well.

 

[Silver14SS]

https://www.marinedepot.com/lifegard-aquatics-aquamesh-progressive-filter-pad-coarse
I get it from marine depot, but I think other vendors have it. It’s basically just a really coarse filter pad. They have different sizes. I used to get them to use as a bubble trap in between the skimmer and pump baffles. The coarse are fairly strong and hold their shape so you can cut to fit

The bulkhead strainer clogged pretty quickly, I ended up ordering the Lifegard extra course mesh, works great so far!

 

[don_pips]

I print guards all the time. That would work for snails, but not quite for the small chaeto bits (I think).

Do you have any files on these snail guards you can share?