Tank overflow location

[ryudo80]

I'm about a year into this hobby and have only kept AIO tanks up to now. My current tank is a WB 65 AIO. So far I've been successfully with keeping fish and corals alive but everything is growing and I need to start thinking about starting a larger (final tank). I'm fairly happy with AIO tanks because they're simple and pretty much leak proof. Being leak proof is my #1 priority. I think I want the tank to be an acrylic. The dimension I currently have in mind is 72x24x22. I may decide to go with 24 height but I'm concern about being able to clean the tank well given the acrylic would have the bracing around the tank.

I think most vendor sell acrylic tanks of this size 1/2 inch thick. Should I go for 3/4 inch instead? Also since I've never kept a sump system before, I don't have the experience with long term overflow related maintenance. Currently, I'm thinking of the following specification for the overflow:

1) External overflow for easier maintenance since it's not as deep as an internal overflow and no holes on bottom of tank. I assume an acrylic tank made with overflow from the builder should be glue in permanently and should be leak proof.
2) Since it's a 72 inch tank, I think it will be difficult the reach the back middle of tank for maintaining the PVC pipes (how often does one truely need to clean the pipes?) so I'm thinking of having the overflow be offset to one corner of the tank. I'm thinking of having two return lines, one on the other corner of the tank and one near the overflow area. Also, the overflow will be a bean animal system.
3) Or am I wrong in thinking about this setup altogether and stick with internal overflow in the center, would this be easier to maintain and less chance of leakage?

 

[lapin]

Sounds like a good plan . 1/2 might bow . 3/4 won’t bow.
Offset holes for the return will work.