water volume and equiptment questions

[rapture]

so as im purchasing equipment by the rating as of how many gallons. should I take into consideration exactly how much water is in my tank and go by that?
I have a 90g with all of the rock and sand there is probably only reasonably 60g of water. correct me if im wrong. I shouldn't be purchasing equipment rated for more than 100g. especially since I may add more rock and corals as I go?
or should I be buying items rated for more?

 

[bugs713]

I have a 185g with 30g sump, I estimate my actual total water volume to be about 180-190 after taking into account the sand and rock.

In regards to equipment ratings, I always go bigger - if the skimmer manufacture says up to 180g, then I will get one that is rated up to 250g, which I did. I do the same with pumps and heaters.

Better to have more than not enough IMO/IME.

 

[82ndengineer]

+1 on bugs's statement. That way if/when you decide to upgrade you don't always have to buy all new equipment.

 

[AntiSatan]

+1 bigger is almost always better

 

[jesusmeza80]

+1 go bigger

 

[rapture]

I have a 185g with 30g sump, I estimate my actual total water volume to be about 180-190 after taking into account the sand and rock.

In regards to equipment ratings, I always go bigger - if the skimmer manufacture says up to 180g, then I will get one that is rated up to 250g, which I did. I do the same with pumps and heaters.

Better to have more than not enough IMO/IME.

thanks