Arapaima Pond Build

I really like it when things work out as hoped for...though it took much longer than planned, I am really looking forward to the next steps in finishing it.
Apart from the 2nd bog, I need to put some things in the pond that give cover for smaller fish.
Typically, you'd get driftwood and plants, but I don't want to get the trouble of buying it, cleaning and the risk of sharp objects resting on the liner.

So what I thought of is to use PVC pipes and fittings. Glue pieces randomly together and maybe paint it gray or brown.
I am talking about 2-3-4" diameters and the elbows and 45' connectors would be nice to cover potential sharp edges from the pipes.
Glueing them in various angles to create some sort of 'abstract' piece of driftwood.

Make a couple of them and place them in the water, perfect for smaller fish to hide in and around.
What you guys think?


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
I like the pvc idea....if it sounds good to me then you'll make it look better than my wildest expectations
 
I like the pvc idea....if it sounds good to me then you'll make it look better than my wildest expectations
Thanks, that's a go then, only question remaining is: shall I paint it or leave it blue..I think the blue color would look nice with the white liner...
 
it may be cool to go completely strange and abstract. blue could look really cool, or maybe white.
 
After a long weekend, I came back to find that water seems to be clearing a bit. Part is that there is more rain and clouds, so algae get less chance to grow. Part I guess the roots of hyacinth in the tanks get covered with small dirt. Eating away on it I am sure.

Mr.T is getting more active every day. Can see him chasing smaller fish, not very successful but he gets his daily exercise for sure. Due to the light color of the liner I guess, he looks much lighter in color. His belly is fully light grey, red spots a bit faded red. His head a metallic green.

Fish in the bog are racing around, mix of small koi and other colorful fish...overall, looking good. Some serious rain cleaned the gravel around it and we can walk around without dirty feet.
 
Sounds great to me. Do you have plans for other permanent stock other than the arapaima?

I am leaning to mostly local fish. Tilapia already in, maybe a few siamese carp, Mekong Catfish, feather back, my catfish at home of course.. Got 3 Oscars ready to grow out when the second bog is ready.

Any suggestions, very welcome.
 
+1 on the Mekong cat...how would one go about getting one of those? The whole deal continues to sound more and more cool.
 
+1 on the Mekong cat...how would one go about getting one of those? The whole deal continues to sound more and more cool.

Well, in Thailand they are not so common anymore, but there's plenty of fishing-lakes where you can fish for them.
Buying them would cost you a lot if big, so normally you put them back.
Went fishing once for party, great fun. Had a very good guy to take care of the fishing, and us taking turns to bring them in.
Brought in 6 myself, biggest about 15kg I guess, but boy are they strong.

So getting a smaller one will not be too difficult and costly. Same for Siamese Carp and other types of Carp.

Mr. T. meanwhile is very active. Fun to see him going through the pond, checking things out, gulping down pellets, asking for attention.
Pond runs and plants start rooting. Saturday a start on the 2nd bog I think. Some heavy grunt-work first, but the rest should be a breeze over the coming weeks.

Both settling-tanks filled with Water-Hyacinth, far less muck coming out of the drains now. Only 2 FW-crabs I scooped up and put in the bog.
Later this week get some more plants. Want to fill it with more leaves and flowers asap.
The small fish in the bog are nice. Brown, orange, white, yellow... very colorful and active. Need to get more of that. Some suckerfish as well, to take care of algae and dirt on stones/walls.
 
AquariaCentral.com