Overflow Suggestions Needed - New Tank

[d2mini]

My current tank has an internal overflow and utilizes the Herbie setup with two drains, and then the return pipe. I really like this setup and would like to do a Herbie or Bean Animal on my next tank. But my next tank is going to be a completely different shape and this is where I am needing some advice.

I don't have exact dimensions yet, but this tank is going to be LONG. Something like 8 feet long. Maybe 3 ft tall. But the problem is I don't have too much depth to work with because I don't want it to stick into the room too far, and I don't have the option of going into the wall due to what's behind it. So if the tank could only be about 22" deep (front to back), what kind of overflow setup would you go with? Because of the depth problem, I would say my plumbing needs to exit the bottom of the tank, not out the back wall. Which means some sort of internal overflow box. Would you do one large center overflow on the back wall? Two corner overflows? Something else? For the sake of simplicity, I'm not considering a closed loop system at this time. But if you feel strongly about it, I'm willing to hear arguments on its behalf.

I want to make sure i have efficient/sufficient turnover and circulation as well as having a visually appealing setup. FWIW, the tank will be surrounded by cabinetry giving it a built-in look, but it will be bumped out a bit so there will be some side viewing as well.

TIA for the help!

[Ron Reefman]

In your situation, with a tank that long, I'd certainly do 2 internal overflows, one in each corner (or along the back near the corners). I'd do 1 with a drain, a return and an emergency spare drain set slightly higher (just out of the water). The other end could be the same or just a drain and return. I'd do them the same and then when something new comes out that requires a new drain, you could use one of your 2 emergency drains and still have one.

I have a CL with an Ocean Motion OM4 and use their Revolution heads. It's been running for over 18 months and it hasn't needed any work. It also creates an incredible, constantly changing, random flow of water in the tank. No dead spots, no cyano bacteria, no problems. But that's just my 2 cents worth.