Neither. I go by the dimensions over anything else. Big difference between say a standard 125 gallon tank vs a 150 gallon that is 4 feet long, 2 feet wide and 30 inches tall. The 6 foot long 125 gallon has far more useable space being a 6 foot long tank and doesn't have the headaches of being a tall tank so to speak. Yes water volume matters to an extent, but if you have a 75 gallon display tank and a 210 gallon sump you still only have the useable space of a 75 gallon tank in terms of stocking options for fish.