I use in my pond a small rectangular basket from the Dollar Store or
Walmart. It is about 4 times larger than my pump. I put the pump in that,
then put the whole setup into a zippable nylon mesh laundry bag (about a
buck from the dollar store.) I don't think it clogged up once last year.
Outlet from the pump goes to my 60 gallon veggie/biofilter. Mike