Where to drill?

[gilber00]

I am setting up a new system. It’s a 42 gallon with a 29 gallon sump. The main goals of this tank is to multiply copepods to sustain a mandarin in the tank. My original set up was to have an external overflow leading down to my sump. I was also going to place an internal overflow as well with small holes near the bottom to House COPEPODS and rock inside. I was trying to make them a safe place in and out of the main display. I was also going to have a place for the copepods in the sump tank. I was gonna leave the back of the tank clear, to keep it a very simple feel. Now I’m wondering if I should exclude the external overflow and just keep an internal overflow and drilled the bottom of the aquarium for my plumbing. Does anyone have any insight they could share about drilling the bottom of the tank or about how to encourage the copepod growth. Thanks

 

[Fish Fan]

First thing; have you checked to see if you have tempered or non-tempered glass? You cannot drill tempered glass, it will just shatter.

 

[gilber00]

Yes. It’s non-tempered

 

[Fish Fan]

Then a couple more thoughts that I hope are helpful:

Have you considered purchasing a captive raised Mandarin from Biota Marine? These fish are preconditioned to eat a wide variety of foods, including even pellets, making them much easier to feed than wild caught Mandarin?
https://shop.thebiotagroup.com/search?type=product&q=mandarin*

^Definitely be sure to grab the pair of Mandarin themed shorts too, you will not want to be without those

I don't think you need both an internal refugium for 'pods, as well as an area in your sump. If you do want a safe place in your display for 'pods to multiply, take a look at a 'pod hotel:
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/pod-...KavqozIv0jAVpmpXbna4-mCBaCIhIOJUXmG6ZfN29VVWF

Internal vs. external overflow is a personal choice. Some prefer the extra space and lack of gear in the display itself (external overflow) and others prefer to place the tank up closer to the wall it shares (internal overflow).

I would not leave the back clear. In time, you'll have untold cords and gear hanging behind the tank, and I think you'll regret not having it blacked out, or some other color like dark blue or sometimes white. It's much easier to do this now than later when the tank is running. You can use spray paint or enamel paint with a cheap, disposable foam roller, but I quite like using vinyl, which is nearly as cheap as paint, with no dry time, no drips or spills, no clean up, and vinyl can be even more easily removed than paint if you ever want to. This video has more info on vinyl wrapping a tank:


I hope this helps and post back with any further questions!

 

[UncommonSense]

I was also going to place an internal overflow as well with small holes near the bottom to House COPEPODS and rock inside. I was trying to make them a safe place in and out of the main display. I was also going to have a place for the copepods in the sump tank

your choice of sumps, specifically one that’s 66%+ the size of the display, will make most of this redundant!

I’ve had great luck with a 20g sump under my “35g” (more like 30g capacity) hexagon for a decade or so… just pack the free sump space full of live or dry rock, stick a light on it, and you’ll be set!

(Copepods and amphipods alike seem to make it through the return pump with minimal losses, for context)