Review on 🐠 Efficient Macro Aqua M-50 Mini Hang-on External Protein Skimmer for 60 Gallon Tanks by Jenny Oster

FUNCTION: Looks good at first glance. Adjustments to water flow and air intake are easy to make with small changes. Produces a lot of lean matte. I use it on 50 gallons with no sump and it doesn't seem to lag behind. I've been using it for a few months now. I make a fairly wet skimmer, although it works well with a dry skimmer too. NOISE: Skimmer pump noise seems acceptable, although noticeable. Mostly the sound of bubbles forming, not the sound of the pump. MICROBUBBLES: I've read other reviews that mentioned microbubbles but I had no problems with them after running the skimmer for the first few days. DESIGN: I deducted a star for that. Even though the skimmer produces a lot of skimmers, the following design issues are my problem, mainly the cup lid and drain. I have a drain line from the collection cup to the bucket so I don't have to remove the cup to empty. The drain tube sits very high in the drip tray, almost to the top of the inner tube, where bubbles form. The top of the inner tube is very close to the lid. So when the drip tray is filled enough to exit the waste tube, I get protein bubbles that come out of the lid through the 4 air slots on top (see photo). The skimmate level remains constant at the exit depth. So. With the drain hose on, I don't have to empty the drip tray every day, but I do have to clean the lid almost daily or the suds gushing from the top will run over the rim and I don't want it dripping onto my floor. It hasn't ballooned enough to drip onto my bottom yet, but it definitely pooled on the side of the skimmer but dried before dripping onto the bottom. My tank is in the basement on a concrete floor (easy to clean) but I don't want it on carpet in my living room. The drain pipe should be lower in the collection cup and I can make my modification. Another design flaw is that the skimmer hangs on the edge of the pool. he leans slightly. The tubes on which the skimmer rests at the edge of the pool are of different sizes, one higher than the other, so that the skimmer hangs slightly askew. In the end I still put foam under the plastic tubes to avoid vibration noise from the skimmer hanging on the tank, so I adjusted it to the foam. Locking screw for attachment to the tank. It is very difficult to turn with fingers (plastic screw/thread) and requires the use of pliers along the entire length of the thread. When space is at a premium, pliers are impractical for maneuvering and adjusting the screw. CONCLUSION: I do not regret the purchase. I'm actually very satisfied, especially for the price. That suits my needs well. My tank is built into my basement wall so all the wires, hoses etc are hidden and easy to service so the shortcomings I mentioned aren't a huge issue for me. If it were in my living room or on the carpet, I don't know if I would feel the same way.