We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember Andy Kirkland
saying something like:

I was working on that theory.... I should be able to get a 36" element
in. I was just wondering if there were any guidelines regarding length
of element/proximity to side of tank etc.

24" and 27" are commonly available. The 11" one you have is normally
used for side entry immersions.