I've had the Octo 160 in my sump/fuge (150 gallon tank w/ total volume of 175) for 10 months. I have a pretty hefty bioload with overfed fish. That skimmer is working great for me. I wouldn't change a thing. My nitrates are always zero but I do also have a small ball of Biffys Chaeto spinning in there. Maybe some of the higher end skimmers can handle what they say they can.