ONE MORE TIME - Skimmer hair-nets

Instead of using a skimmer angel, I got some stainless steel rod and made a curved handle that ends up being close to the skimmer cover so that I do not have to bend over very far (I am 71) to extract the basket. I drilled out a couple of the holes in the basket for the rod. When I put the hairnet into the basket I can stick the rod right through the hairnet. This helps hold the hairnet in the basket and has worked out very well for me.

This is great, thanks gary300!
 
As a little additional information, I got the stainless rod at McMaster-carr: https://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/123/3785/=186mltf

I ordered two of the three foot versions, 1/8" diameter.

This is tough stuff, and I had to use a grinder to cut it, and stick the end of it into a vice then use a hammer to bend to the ends. I have two skimmers, so I made two of these and have really saved my back!

If you have not used McMaster-carr before, this is a great place for high quality materials and tools. Normal consumers can set up an account and buy from them and they have quick shipping.
 
We started using the hair net sometime last year and replace it on a weekly basis. We still have more than 600 pcs in stock, though.
Between the h-net and the robotic cleaner, our cartridge filter has no noticeable increase in pressure all year round.

Today I replaced a week old h-net. The river rock is to prevent the basket from floating when pump is off.
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I also use a river rock to keep the basket down, but I put it in the basket with the net on top. That way I just remove the net without fooling with the rock.
Good idea, glad it worked for you.

Done that in the past but as observed the h-net floats or somehow is being pushed up every time our wild kids jumps in the water especially when the pump is not running.
 
I would love to get one of those "skimmer angels" that raises the handle up, but I would not want to take the handle on and off all the time since it attaches with screws. The only alternative I can think of that might work is to still put the hair net inside the basket and try to bring a rubber band around the outside to hold the edges down, but the skimmer angel attaches in the middle of the basket so I don't know that it would work. Does anyone have a skimmer angel and use a hair net or skimmer sock in conjunction with it?

I use a clam rake to pick up my basket, keep it by my pump, you can also put them on a carabiner and attach it to a fence. Those grabber tools for old people work good too, but I wouldn't leave them out in the weather. Oh and the skimmer basket needs to have a piece going across the middle or something else to hook/grab onto. Works good and I don't have to bend over to clean the basket now.
 

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I just tried the hairnets and I can't believe how great they work. I didn't have to use a rock to hold mine down. When I first put it in the skimmer it floats, but within a few seconds the suction pulls it down into the basket. Thanks for the great idea.
 
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