Arapaima Pond Build

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Luc

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Aug 25, 2008
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Will be a long wait, 2 weeks for the big move.
but need to do lots of small things first.
- paint the dome
- test the bottom-drain
- fix the dome on top
- prepare for sun-shade
- get pump running
- move water-tap
- get air-pump and connect it
- fit jump-protection at the front and sides

Thats all for next 2 weeks.
then finally make the last push for digging and moving Mr.T.
Will be quite a project, but confident we can finish that in one day.
Moving will be a matter of lifting his whole liner on top of the new one I hope and then slowly let it go and have him get used to the light and space.
 

Fishfriend1

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Dec 11, 2009
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Well, it looks like your going to be busy. We all want to hear every single test result, you got that? :)
 

Luc

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Well, it looks like your going to be busy. We all want to hear every single test result, you got that? :)
Lol... And here I am, trying to find reasons to post something.
everytime I change a little detail, process or idea, thinking... Can I post again?
And believe me, it changes several times a day.
waiting for the flight home, can't wait to get to work tomorrow and check some new ideas again.
 

Luc

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Well, came back this morning. Mr. T. is doing fine in his smaller pond.
Chasing his pellets, gulping and chewing them down so no worries for now on that.

Cleaning lady gets to a point where she notices every single spot that came or disappeared on him. So good to know that she is a keen observer of anything unusual.

For the pond, will try some 10cm of water on top of the drain and see how that stays.
Will post observations later.

Cheers,
Luc
 

THE V

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Nov 25, 2007
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All this work for one itty bitty little fish. ;)

Yeah, I'm going to have to find an excuse to visit Thailand after you get it built.

I don't understand 1/2 of what you are doing with that monster but the largest fish I've owned was only 12" long. Be sure he doesn't try to eat the cleaning lady when he gets bigger.
 

Luc

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Lol...indeed...1 little fish...
He sure knows how to get the party going.
Filled up some water in his new pond. Now the anxious wait to see if it drops...
Should know in a couple of hours.
 

Luc

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Well, just checked the water level, did not drop anything I can see.
Seems the bottom drain is holding up...ooh would that not be a nice thing for today...yesss..

Cheers,
Luc
 

Luc

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After about 4 hours, there's still no drop at all.
Just walking around with a big grin on my face...
Great, one of the scariest parts seems to be finished.
There's only one more scary part, moving Mr. T. to his new pond.
 

Luc

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Went to the shop today. 1 pump at home. 12k liter per hour, half of what I need. Paid 2200 baht for it, about 70 USD.
Found that wire frame around the pond is less expensive than I thought, 50x200cm for 290 baht befor discount. So might get it to 250 which is about 8 USD.
Need 40 of them, sides and front total 20 meter.
If I'd go with horizontal, 50cm high jump protection...would save a lot except peace of mind.
The other cheaper one we found is the sunshade, 30baht or 1 USD p/meter at 2 meters wide. I need 10x5 meter square, so 5 5x2 meter pieces will do, total cost for 70% UV block is then only 750 baht or 15 USD.
Only thing to decide is color...green, black or blue...think I'll go for blue with the white liner.

Still struggling to find stones, no luck yet to find it cheap.
 

Luc

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Just came into the office, water dropped maybe 1-2 mm overnight.
That's nothing more but evaporation for sure.
It's hot, sunny and windy, so 1-2 mm is not bad anyway.
Bottom-drain is rock solid, that's sure now.

Cheers,
Luc
 
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