The primer bulb works great for easy priming of the pump. Here is how I have mine set up.
I used a sink strainer (works wonders for keeping debris and eel grass out, and not getting stopped up) Gooped to a piece of a threaded pvc connector at the bottom of the pump. The largest primer bulb I could find was 3/8 inch and was the trickiest part of the operation. I had to get the crimped on ring off of either end and replace it with the hose clamps. Once you have the crimped connectors off, you can back out the inserts to allow you to attach the larger hose. But I had to modify mine cause it had a raised portion that the bulb butted up against when inserted (which was larger than the inside diameter of the hose). A sander or rasp will take care of it pretty quick. Then you just have to stagger the hose clamp over both the hose and the end of the bulb before you tighten it.