simple outlet dependency switch? (skimmer vs. return pump)

[Trever]

Is there something I can plug my skimmer and return pump into that always shuts off the skimmer when the return pump is shutoff, but allows for the skimmer to be powered off when the return pump is not (i.e. return pump stays on)?

I'd love such a thing, but absolutely do not want a full blown aquarium controller.

Perhaps I'm missing something obvious but I'm not savy re electrical. Obviously one can make both devices power up and down at the same time, but I'm looking for something that functions as stated. And yes, I'm tired of overflowing or almost overflowing my skimmer, because my capacity to forget to turn off the skimmer when I turn off the return pump seems unlimited. ;Shamefullyembarrased

 

[driftin]

It's doable, certainly. Ease would depend on your comfort level wiring things. At its most basic, and assuming these are smaller pumps on both devices, I can envision a couple different scenarios where both can be controlled through a light switch - 2 switches and 2 outlets. One switch would only turn off the skimmer outlet, the other switch would turn off both outlets.

I can't sketch - power into first switch, splits to feed the second switch and also the return pump outlet. The second switch (in series with the first) goes to the skimmer outlet. If you flip the first switch, both devices lose power.

If you wanted to get more control on it you can use a time delay relay on the skimmer, so it wouldn't turn on immediately when the return pump does. That's more complicated, not a bunch more but not as straight forward (or inexpensive) as the option above.