Which size skimmer should I get?

I am going to get a SWC Extreme Cone Skimmer and I am trying to decide between a 120 and a 160. I have a 65 gallon tank and the 120 is rated up to 75 gallons. The 160 is rated up to 150 gallons. I would like to get the 160 because I would be able to upgrade tanks later without having to upgrade skimmers. Will the 160 work on my 65 gallon tank? Or would it be overkill and not work properly?

 

The 160 will do fine, it may have times when it doesn't pull out as much but that is no problem

 

With skimmers always go with overkill. If you get something rated near your tank size chance are it will not be effective enough. I always go huge on my skimmers. My 220 has a rating of 500 gallons, my 92 skimmer is rated for 250 and then the red custom sea max with custom sump is rated at 125. My frag tanks have 1 skimmer for the three 40s that are combined for 250 also. I learned along time ago the skimmer needs to be able to work. would you hook an escort to the flront of a tractor trailer trailer and think it will pull it?

 

Going with a huge skimmer is a waste of money, power and space. Not only does it not pull any more, it actually performs worse than one properly rated for the tank. Now having an over rated skimmer that does not actually do what it says is different.

The 120 will be fine for you. It will give a little head room. The 160 will not be bad either. It will work for you. About as big as you would want to go. In your size range going to a 90g would be easy. So ya, you would not have to buy twice. But really ask your self. iI going bigger is not a certainty in the near future, then get the 120. In a year or two you could very well decide you want a 180g and then paying more for a skimmer that you didn't need and is not enough for more than a 90g is really a waste of money.

It really depends on your future upgrade. Both will work.