Review on 🐠 Optimize Your Nano Aquarium with Azoo AZ13123 Nano Surface Aquarium Skimmer by Yolanda Martinez

In this review I will use this filter with the Aquatop SSK-65 (now $30-40 but bought it in March 2020 for $25) which I have been using for 11 months, to compare. I bought this filter as a cheaper alternative for another tank and to see what other skimmers are on the market since the SSK-65 went up in price. Skimming Ability/Flow: When the SSK is running it actually breaks the surface tension and you can watch the surface film disappear, it does it so well that sometimes you have to turn it down or it sucks in too much air and blows it out. When Azoo is running at full capacity there is little to no loss of surface tension and it can take hours to clean a tank's surface. SSK moves a lot more water. Filter maintenance: The SSK needs to be cleaned every 3-4 days before it starts to clog. I also use an extra piece of styrofoam that I cut out that fits inside the filter housing and doesn't get in the way. Azoo seems to clog up after a day and I can't add extra foam to the room. The pillow that comes with it is tiny. Azoo broke after 3 months of use during maintenance. The mechanism used to control the flow and keep the filter pad out of the impeller broke. It continued to use only 2 tiny tabs. Each part of the SSK clamp is firmly connected. I would have a hard time snapping anything on it. Skimmer/Weir Design: My only complaint with the SSK skimmer is that I've had issues with my White Cloud minnows and shrimp getting sucked in at times. The included skimmer guard helps keep fish/shrimp out but they occasionally get in and the surface tension effect is reduced by the guard. The Azoo skimmer barely works and sits too close to the glass. Half the time it vibrates against the edge of the glass. I disable Azoo most nights. In addition, it is difficult to clean and quickly becomes unsightly. And he sucks shrimp. Both skimmers use air to compensate for tank level fluctuations, but I find the SSK has a wider operating range. Both pumps must also be as vertical as possible, otherwise they will not remove the foam well. The first 2 pictures show both filters assembled and disassembled (Azoo on the left and SSK on the right). You can see from the photos which product put more effort into. The mechanics and clips of the SSK are much more robust and much more value was placed on functionality and design. Azoo just feels fragile. The last 2 photos show the part that broke on Azoo. There are 2 tiny protrusions that are broken in their holes. If you have a few bucks more, Aquatop is a much better buy.