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Mer-Made Filter, Inc. · Pumps, Circulation and Flow Control · FRP pump suction strainers

Fiberglass-reinforced basket strainers

Fiberglass pump suction strainers with clear acrylic lids and 316 stainless baskets, tested to 50 psi.

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← Back to all productsAvailable through FreyTechFacts verified against manufacturer literature 2026-09-26.

Overview

Mer-Made manufactures pump strainer housings in fiberglass-reinforced plastic using isophthalic polyester resin with a 0.100 in. corrosion liner (one layer of C-glass veil and two layers of chopped strand mat). Housings are pressure tested to 50 psi, have flanged inlet and outlet connections drilled to the 150 lb ANSI pattern, and use stainless steel toggle bolts with ABS hand knobs. Lids on standard sizes are clear acrylic sealed with an ethylene propylene O-ring so the basket can be inspected without shutdown; 14 in. and larger units use an FRP lid with an 8 in. acrylic viewport.

The FO (Full Outlet) Series has a basket chamber outlet area at least four times the inlet pipe area, which the manufacturer recommends for heavy debris loading because it lowers pressure loss and extends time between cleanings. T-Style strainers have an outlet chamber roughly equal to the inlet pipe area and are offered as a lower-cost option for light debris loads and infrequent cleaning. LP Series strainers are a low-profile version of the same construction, with inlet sizes from 4 to 16 in. FO and T housings are available with standard, concentric or eccentric reducing outlets so the strainer can drop to the pump suction size.

For replacement work, the M-Series replaces Marlow C10X and D10X cast-iron strainers (2.5 x 2.5 through 8 x 8 in.) and the S-Series replaces Sta-Rite PKG 98 and PKG 184 strainers. Baskets are 316 stainless steel; the manufacturer offers duplex stainless, Hastelloy, Monel or titanium baskets and vinyl ester resin housings for seawater, high-temperature or chemically aggressive service, and notes that standard stainless is not recommended for seawater.

Is this a fit for your facility?

Usually a fit when

  • Commercial pool pump suction lines where a corrosion-free (no cast iron) strainer housing is wanted.
  • Heavy debris-load systems such as gutter and waterpark circulation, where the FO full-outlet design extends cleaning intervals.
  • Direct replacement of failed Marlow C10X/D10X or Sta-Rite PKG 98/PKG 184 cast-iron strainers.
  • Equipment rooms with limited height, using the LP low-profile housing.

Look elsewhere when

  • Seawater service with the standard 316 stainless basket; the manufacturer says to contact them for material recommendations.
  • Installations with fast-acting valves ahead of the strainer, which the manufacturer warns can cause the strainer to fail.

Ideal facilities and conditions: Pump suction protection on commercial pool circulation systems; Replacement of cast-iron pump strainers; Industrial and corrosive fluid straining with upgraded resins and basket alloys; Waterpark and high-debris circulation loops.

Problems it addresses

Key capabilities and benefits

Capabilities

  • Fiberglass-reinforced plastic housing, isophthalic polyester resin with 0.100 in. corrosion liner, pressure tested to 50 psi.
  • Flanged inlet and outlet drilled to 150 lb ANSI standard (ANSI B16.5) patterns.
  • Clear acrylic swing-open lid with stainless steel toggle bolts and ABS hand knobs; ethylene propylene O-ring seal.
  • 316 stainless steel basket; the O&M guide describes a wedge-wire basket with 3/16 in. square openings and 62% open area.
  • FO Series basket chamber outlet area at least four times the inlet pipe area; T-Style outlet chamber approximately equal to inlet area.
  • Available with full concentric or eccentric reducing outlet sections to match pump suction size.

Operational and buyer benefits

  • Manufacturer states fiberglass construction eliminates the rusting common to metal strainers.
  • Manufacturer states the clear lid lets the operator check basket condition and flow without shutting down.

Available models and configurations

FO Series (Full Outlet)Recommended by the manufacturer for heavy debris loading; inlet sizes 4 to 20 in. with standard, concentric or eccentric reduced outlets.
T-Style SeriesLower-cost housing for light debris loads and infrequent cleaning; 4 x 4 through 16 x 16 in. with reduced-outlet variants.
LP Series (Low Profile)Reduced-height housing for tight equipment rooms, 4 to 16 in. inlet.
M-Series (Marlow replacement)Drop-in fiberglass replacement for Marlow C10X and D10X cast-iron strainers.
S-Series (Sta-Rite replacement)Drop-in fiberglass replacement for Sta-Rite PKG 184 and PKG 98 cast-iron strainers.

Technical specifications

HousingFiberglass reinforced plastic, pressure tested to 50 psiSource: https://mermade.com/product/mermade-fiberglass-reinforced-basket-strainers/
Resin / linerIsophthalic polyester resin; 0.100 in. corrosion liner of one layer C-glass and two layers chopped strand matSource: https://mermade.com/product/mermade-fiberglass-reinforced-basket-strainers/fo-fiberglass-pump-strainers/
FlangesInlet and outlet flanged, drilled to 150 lb ANSI standard (ANSI B16.5)Source: https://mermade.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/mer-made-frp-strainer-basket-operation-and-maintenance-guide.pdf
LidClear acrylic, swing-open, sealed with ethylene propylene O-ring; 14 in. and larger use FRP lid with 8 in. acrylic viewportSource: https://mermade.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/mer-made-frp-strainer-basket-operation-and-maintenance-guide.pdf
FastenersStainless steel toggle bolts (three fixed, one swing-away); ABS hand knobs with stainless insertsSource: https://mermade.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/mer-made-frp-strainer-basket-operation-and-maintenance-guide.pdf
Standard basket316 stainless steel wedge-wire, 3/16 in. square openings, 62% open areaSource: https://mermade.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/mer-made-frp-strainer-basket-operation-and-maintenance-guide.pdf
Particle retentionLimits particles 0.1875 in. (0.48 cm) and largerSource: https://mermade.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/mer-made-frp-strainer-basket-operation-and-maintenance-guide.pdf
Basket / lid diameters (FO and T)4 in.: 4-7/8 / 9-1/4; 6 in.: 6-7/8 / 11-1/4; 8 in.: 8-7/8 / 13-1/4; 10 in.: 10-7/8 / 15-1/4; 12 in.: 12-3/4 / 17-1/4; 14-20 in.: 18-1/2 / 23-1/2 (FRP lid)Source: https://mermade.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/mer-made-frp-strainer-basket-operation-and-maintenance-guide.pdf
Recommended flange bolt torque2-6 in.: 25 ft-lb; 8-10 in.: 25-40 ft-lb; 14-16 in.: 25-55 ft-lbSource: https://mermade.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/mer-made-frp-strainer-basket-operation-and-maintenance-guide.pdf
Alternate materialsDuplex stainless (2205) or Hastelloy baskets for seawater; vinyl ester resin for fluids to 260 F; Monel and titanium basketsSource: https://mermade.com/product/mermade-fiberglass-reinforced-basket-strainers/
DrainPVC drain plugSource: https://mermade.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/mer-made-frp-strainer-basket-operation-and-maintenance-guide.pdf

Specifications are summarized from manufacturer literature and depend on configuration. Confirm current values with FreyTech before design.

Installation requirements and retrofit considerations

Prerequisites

  • Mate to full-faced flanges with full-faced gaskets at least 0.125 in. thick (Shore A 40-70); the manufacturer does not recommend bolting to raised-face flanges without a spacer ring.
  • Install with flow matching the housing's flow arrow; basket 'low' side faces the inlet.
  • Isolation valve ahead of the strainer so it can be closed before the lid is removed; avoid fast-acting valves upstream.

Retrofit and replacement notes

  • M-Series and S-Series housings are made to replace Marlow C10X/D10X and Sta-Rite PKG 98/PKG 184 cast-iron strainers; the manufacturer also states Purex and Hayward replacements are available.
  • Reducing outlets (standard, concentric, eccentric) let a larger strainer inlet drop to the existing pump suction size.
  • Replacement lids, O-rings and baskets are ordered by acrylic lid outside diameter; current FO/T units are blue with angled baskets, older units gray with flat-top baskets.

Integration with other equipment

No equipment integrations are documented for this product. Coordination happens through the design team.

FreyTech's role: design, installation, commissioning, training, support

Project services

  • Evaluation of fit for your facility
  • Supply, lead time and pricing confirmed on request
  • Installation and support coordination where the product calls for it

Ongoing service and support

  • Parts, consumables and warranty coordination through FreyTech

Brochures, manuals, warranties and specifications

All resources for Fiberglass-reinforced basket strainers · Request documents

Fiberglass-reinforced basket strainers: frequently asked questions

When should the strainer basket be cleaned?

The manufacturer says to inspect the basket daily (or more often under heavy debris) and remove it for cleaning when more than half the basket area is plugged or when pressure drop across the strainer exceeds 5 psi.

What is the difference between the FO and T-Style housings?

In the FO (Full Outlet) design the basket chamber outlet area is at least four times the inlet pipe area, which lowers pressure loss and extends cleaning intervals for heavy debris loads. In the T-Style the outlet chamber is about equal to the inlet pipe area; it is a lower-cost option for light debris loads.

Can these replace an existing cast-iron strainer?

Yes. Mer-Made's M-Series replaces Marlow C10X and D10X strainers and the S-Series replaces Sta-Rite PKG 98 and PKG 184 strainers; the manufacturer also states Purex and Hayward replacements are available.

Related products

See the Pumps, Circulation and Flow Control category.

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Next step

Is Fiberglass-reinforced basket strainers right for your facility?

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Serving commercial aquatic facilities across New York State.

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