Skimming on a timer?

I wouldn't go with a timer, my skimmer says right on it, not to use a timer. The pump isn't designed for all the starting and stopping, and will fail prematurely if used on a timer.

+1 For trying to find a way to quiet the skimmer.

 

So after a bit more reading I tried to use filter pad as a baffle, its a no go. Paper towl seemed to work good just trying to avoid the mess and hassle of changeing it out. I think im goging to go to lowes and get a small acrylic square tomorrow and cut a more perminent baffle, read online someone used it and then used some old airline around the edges to seal it in, ill let you know how it works