I am planning out my next tank for some time next year.
I am thinking about having a 48-54"Lx24"Wx16-20"H with a short stand so it will be viewable from the top. I would not have a sump but a closed loop.
Here is the trick, I would have the first foot of the tank divided off and used as a refugium with a 6-7" deep sand bed giving a 12"x24" refugium with low flow returning to main part of tank suppllied by closed loop "T" off to supply refugium.
Now would this 12"x24" be eough of a deep sand bed to cover the rest of the tand because I only want to place around 1-2" of sand in the main display part.