Arapaima Pond Build

[Luc]

Talked about my small bog at home, here's some pictures, including the Catfish I have there growing.
Still not 100% what type it is...Thought initially an RTC, but I hope some of you can help me ID.

The bog is about 30cm deep. Both pond and bog have crystal clear water.
Very simple setup, still to add more plants, but it's a 1" PVC pipe with holes drilled in, connected with a hose to a pump at the far right in the pond (under the stones and drift-wood). Bog used to be filled with soil for plants, but rain would splash it around and messing up the pond and concrete. Aside from that, I had this big sponge filter in the pond, ugly and taking up space.

So I cut away part of the concrete at the pond side. Dug out the soil. Put an old piece of carpet in it. Plastic liner in it and then filling it up. Has seen the plants suddenly go ballistic. Unbelievable compared to before.

 

[real]

Holy wow this build is amazing! I can't wait to see Mr. t grow into the beast that I have seen on river monsters lol


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[Luc]

Holy wow this build is amazing! I can't wait to see Mr. t grow into the beast that I have seen on river monsters lol


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Thanks Real, it's been a fun time so far. Getting to Saturday again.
If lucky, I hope to be able to get digging on the second bog. Planning that one bigger.
Need many more things done, but getting that bog in place first.
Initial dimensions are 3 x 6 meters and about 1.2 meter deep for about 3x4 meters of it.
2 x 3 meters will be about 50cm deep, for bog/gravel.

Overall it will get the same 'gravel' treatment, with steps and plants around it.
To its right is the Spirit House (not 'Booze' House)...Thai, altar for prayer...
So it will be nice to finally clean up the area around it and make it look proper.

Cheers,
Luc

 

[Luc]

Lunchtime and we've done far more than I could wish for.
2nd Bog-area has been leveled, we're now busy with the back of the pond, getting those sandbags out and putting in some steel beams that will hold the liner up. The white liner and white wall behind it will look more like one piece.
At the same time, there's no problem with water/rain getting between the liner and the wall.

Afternoon finally put in some over-flow and then fill it up to maximum maybe over the course of this week.
Hopefully with the help of plenty rain to save the cost of water...lol.

Will post some pictures later...
Cheers,
Luc

 

[Luc]

Ok, long enough wait, finished for today, filling in progress, to the max, which is still 5 cm off.
Backside is safe, not perfect though. Will need some more digging. Some sand that needs to be shaped different.
But the basic idea is there. Will let it settle for a while and maybe in 2 weeks we can do some more on that.

For the bog, waiting first to get a truck of sand delivered and a liner. That's also in the coming weeks.
More plants for the 1st bog is more important, I need to clean out algae big time. Getting very green and dark.
Then again, there's enough flow and oxygen in the pond, so not worried about it too much, helps eating rubbish.

Pictures for today:

 

[finsNfur]

I haven't checked this thread in a while, wow, you've made amazing progress!

 

[Luc]

I haven't checked this thread in a while, wow, you've made amazing progress!

Thanks for checking back finsNfur, making nice progress indeed. Coming 2 weeks nothing though, too much work to finish.
Need to get sand, liner and more stones to start with the second bog.
Will likely be easier in one go than the first one though. Learned some here and there...lol.



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[Fishfriend1]

Just got back from England, this is as awesome as Big Ben! Okay, maybe not THAT awesome, but very awesome in it's own right I love the bog, and that catfish is very cute

 

[Luc]

Just got back from England, this is as awesome as Big Ben! Okay, maybe not THAT awesome, but very awesome in it's own right I love the bog, and that catfish is very cute

Thanks Fishfriend1, we've done some while you where enjoying your holiday..This afternoon another 10 plants go in, need more roots...lol..Should really fill it up, with a small area left open for the small 2 inch sized fish I got in there.

Still some leaking going on the second settling tank, see if that stops this week, otherwise I guess I need to drain and repair the silicone. Not much of a problem, just shut it down, close the valves, pump out most of the water and start cleaning it first. Dry it, then put a fresh bead of silicone on top...Then wait half an hour, fill it up and let pressure push the silicone into all the gaps for a couple of minutes, then drain again to let it cure.We'll see, it's a nuisance, not really a big problem.

The cat is indeed fun. He's all frisky when you walk by, waiting for a cube of frozen worms to drop in.Fast as hell though, you drop it anywhere, he'll have it within 2-3 seconds max...Just wondering how big he'll get. So far does not add up much to it.Cheers,Luc

 

[Ptrick125]

That a really cool setup!


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