I've been going back and forth with the returns. I don't like that look either but I was thinking it would be easier if I needed to disassemble it. I could just lift the entire return off from the top. I did just order a 1 1/2 hole saw and the 3/4" bulkheads tho
I was going to buy a skimmer but I found this thing in my tub O' aquarium junk. We had a love/hate relationship way back. It'll probably work as good as anything else for this size.