Jerbob

I take it everone has seen the mesh mod (DIY NEDDLEWHEEL) for a pump to turn it into a skimmer pump, my question is if anyone knows a local place or a substitute for the mesh product to use on this mod. Also to get air to the pump do you just use airline tubbing on the intake of the pump and just let it hang out of the water or is it better to use an airpump?