Triton, flow rates, and surface skimming

[foxt]

I am struggling with a planned tank build and the design of the overflow box. My plan is for a 230g tank 72"L x 30"W x 25"H. I plan to try Triton, so I need 10x the flow of the system volume (let's just call that 2500- 2800gph). The ideal overflow design would be a c2c, but my builder will only go as long as 24" for an external glass overflow box. So, my dilemma is: find a builder (I am picky) that will build a c2c, or settle for 24" - I need some help from experienced reefers on this one.

I know that a 24" surface skimmer (after teeth, it will be more like 14" effective weir length) will draw about 1" of water over the weir at that target flow rate. The much longer 36" effective weir length gets the height of the water under 0.5".

What I am wondering is if I am turning the entire volume of the tank around every 6 mins, do I really need to obsess over surface skimming effectiveness? Won't such a high turnover help keep surface scum from forming in the first place?

And then there is this: peninsula tanks of similar dimensions often only have an overflow on the short side of the tank, giving them the same length I would have. It it is ok for them, it should be ok for me, right?

 

[mcgyvr]

won't they do a full length internal then 24" external box?

and are you planning on a bean animal setup in the external box?
you should.. hint..hint.. Its the best hands down..
http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx

 

[foxt]

I am planning on using the bean design.

The decision I had to make was between a design with notches in the back panel and the 24" external box, or use an internal ghost-type box with c2c internal box and smaller external box.

I prefer the use of the notched back without the internal box. Tanks I've seen with the internal boxes all have that long horizontal shadow line, and I'm sure I could get over it (probably would not notice it after a while). I should defer to whatever will perform best ....

So the choice is down to the 24" notched design, or the internal ghost design. I am trying to get a sense of just how much I am going to lose if I go with the 24" notched design. With 10x exchange with the sump, is it really going to make any difference?