Would you get this skimmer?

[ismvel]

Yes I have heard that the ratings are overstated by the makers of the skimmer, but I would beleive that they are more accurate with your bigger name skimmers they would be a little more accurate. You can't compare a Seaclone with a Tunze or anything like that...but once again, I really don't know about the ones I mentioned if they are really that out of line with their suggested sizes. As far as the three I listed above their suggested ratings are:

ASM - 250 gallons
Octopus - 300 gallons
Tunze - 264 gallons

[Wryknow]

The ratings are always nebulous at best. Most of them should be cut in half for practical use IMPE but it depends a lot on the brand.

The ASM G3 advertises that it is good for a 250 gallon tank (6" column, 24" height, sedra 5000 motor) but the same sized euro-reef skimmer (RS135) is only rated for 135 gallons. I'd say that the Euro-reef rating is probably more accurate for that size skimmer. The Tunze published ratings are accurate for what they are meant to rate - low sensitivity tanks. If you are planning on keeping SPS (high sensitivity) or SPS and an "above average" fish load then Tunze recommends cutting the skimmer rating by 40% or 60% respectively. So the 265 rating is probably more like 120 or so for most tanks.

Anyway, you need to take this into consideration I suppose. Saving a little bit on a skimmer now and then having to buy a bigger one later is an expensive proposition.

[brewercm]

Back when the company ASMskimmers was selling the ASMs they also stated they would only run the G3 on a 180 gallon that was of standard stocking at most. That's why I decided to go with the G4+ which is a much larger skimmer even though it's only on a 140 gallon but I have at least another 40 to 50 gallons in my sump/fuge.