Ya know, you could use a 1" hose and drill holes all over it. I mean a ton of holes, so the hose becomes pretty much a mesh tube. That way you'll protect the inlet, won't have too much suction at any one opening, and it'll eliminate that chunk of concrete. Softer is better! It'll pull most of the water from the end by default, but should anything block that it'll draw through the sides without much effort.