Cover for skimmer intake!

[kittenbritches]

I just found one of my BRAND NEW, idiotic chromis stuck (and dead) with his back half sticking out of the protein skimmer intake. I've clumsily covered it with cheesecloth and a rubber band because I'm halfway out the door, but I'm sure there must be a more elegant solution.

What is the best way to cover the intake to keep future fish from meeting their demise? Should I super glue mesh over it?!

 

[Calm Blue Ocean]

I just found one of my BRAND NEW, idiotic chromis stuck (and dead) with his back half sticking out of the protein skimmer intake. I've clumsily covered it with cheesecloth and a rubber band because I'm halfway out the door, but I'm sure there must be a more elegant solution.

What is the best way to cover the intake to keep future fish from meeting their demise? Should I super glue mesh over it?!

Sorry to hear about your new chromis. What kind of skimmer do you have? Might help us figure out a solution design if we can see what the intake looks like.

 

[Goaway]

Honestly, I never seen a hob skimmer strong enough to gulp up a fish that wasn't already sick and dying.
What skimmer you running?

 

[afrokobe]

I dont know how your intake looks, but if its a tube you could put a sponge on the end like this

 

[Pistondog]

Model of skimmer? I had a blenny take the roller coaster ride down into the sump and venturi of my skimmer. Cover over the intake weir solved that.

 

[kittenbritches]

It's the Macro Aqua M-50 Protein Skimmer.

This is what the intake looks like:

And with my half-booty cheesecloth cover while I ran an errand:

When I first pulled the fish out, I lost my grip and it got sucked right back into the intake, so it's stronger than it looks!

 

[Pistondog]

It's the Macro Aqua M-50 Protein Skimmer.

This is what the intake looks like:

And with my half-booty cheesecloth cover while I ran an errand:

When I first pulled the fish out, I lost my grip and it got sucked right back into the intake, so it's stronger than it looks!

Is the skimmer in your sump?

 

[kittenbritches]

Is the skimmer in your sump?

No, I don't have a sump. It's HOB.

 

[vetteguy53081]

No, I don't have a sump. It's HOB.

Nylon screening tie with a nylon hose clamp

These are about 40 cents and release easily

 

[Calm Blue Ocean]

Looks like a filter intake sponge like @afrokobe linked is exactly what you're looking for. You can should be able to find various sizes on Amazon.

 

[Pistondog]

No, I don't have a sump. It's HOB.

Yes, saw that. Bad design to have an exposed venturi intake. Your fix is the idea, but maybe something more substantial, like fiberglass window screen and plastic ty wrap?

 

[Calm Blue Ocean]

Funny, I looked up pictures and at first assumed the sponge I saw was on the intake but after watching a setup video I see that's probably the return side and it's there to stop bubbles from escaping. Seeing the actual configuration that's definitely a bit more complicated to put a guard on and I understand your challenge. Very unusual design.

 

[kittenbritches]

Funny, I looked up pictures and at first assumed the sponge I saw was on the intake but after watching a setup video I see that's probably the return side and it's there to stop bubbles from escaping. Seeing the actual configuration that's definitely a bit more complicated to put a guard on and I understand your challenge. Very unusual design.

Exactly -- that's the return and to reduce microbubbles. The hose connects relatively close to the end of the intake, which is why I was thinking super glue or something. I had to disconnect the hose and feed it through the rubber band multiple times, underwater, on my tiptoes. LOL.

Whether I get a hose clamp, as @vetteguy53081 suggested, or go the zip tie or super glue route, I'm sure it will be easier when I'm not working underwater. Hopefully my rigged-up temporary solution will suffice for the night.

 

[blaxsun]

Survival of the fittest!