Arapaima Pond Build
- Thread starter Luc70
- Start date
Thanks Fishe, it's almost like an oven here right now, had my guys dig another part this morning.For the bottom-drain it starts to take shape.
Depending on my guy for concrete work, he's on another job right now. Hope he has a day soon to finish the front wall.
Mean time, I'm making the bottom-drain tomorrow. Still not 100% sure on the air-diffuser, but will make preparations for it sure. The fitting for the dome can be hollow 3/4 inch pipe with a screw-fitting where the dome will be attached.
From the dome simply straight up through a small hole, connecting to a diffuser disk.
Checkvalve somewhere and I'm ready. Connect a good pump and it will be as good as it gets.
Need to find a solution for the air-line on the outside though. Can run it through the drain-pipe, but then need to get it out somewhere before the valve to the vortex. Will try some stuff. Might be a simple 3/4 inch pipe welded to the main drain. From there an endcap that screws on, with the hose going through it.
Question for pond experts.
Bottom drain: pipe horizontal from drain to outside the pond. Is this a must?
How do I get into the settling chamber? 90' elbow straight up from the horizontal pipe?
Or can I go with a 45' sloping pipe in the chamber?
Still puzzled about it...seen both.
Thanks in advance.
Luc
Bottom drain: pipe horizontal from drain to outside the pond. Is this a must?
How do I get into the settling chamber? 90' elbow straight up from the horizontal pipe?
Or can I go with a 45' sloping pipe in the chamber?
Still puzzled about it...seen both.
Thanks in advance.
Luc
2 more pictures of the final result yesterday.
Later step by step on the bottom-drain.
Area is getting close to big enough for Mr. T to stay for a bit until the rest of the pond is finished.
So next week hope to have the drain opening finished and then can set it, fix it and fill it up the week after.
Later step by step on the bottom-drain.
Area is getting close to big enough for Mr. T to stay for a bit until the rest of the pond is finished.
So next week hope to have the drain opening finished and then can set it, fix it and fill it up the week after.
Ok...pictures for the bottom-drain:
Picture 1 the various parts to fit the elbow around the duct-plate
Picture 2 positioning of the elbow under the plate.
Picture 3 bit misleading, but this is how the opening will be made smaller to fit exactly around the duct-plate flange. 2 rings glued first. Sanded slightly and then fitted around the flange. Later I can then fit the elbow with glue.
Picture 4 I cut the top-rim of the flange used for the drain. sanded it down to get a good fit later with the PVC.
Picture 5 Top plate to hold the liner in place.
You can see, the old popnail holes in the top-plate are nicely aligned with the popnails in the duct-plate. These popnails will provide perfect screw-holes for the top-plate.
Also, there is part of the original flange that I've left in, with some sanding and hammering, it now sits flush with the side-walls of the flange.
So by cutting out the opening in the liner and using silicone, there's a very good grip and seal on the liner when I put the top-plate on.
Picture 1 the various parts to fit the elbow around the duct-plate
Picture 2 positioning of the elbow under the plate.
Picture 3 bit misleading, but this is how the opening will be made smaller to fit exactly around the duct-plate flange. 2 rings glued first. Sanded slightly and then fitted around the flange. Later I can then fit the elbow with glue.
Picture 4 I cut the top-rim of the flange used for the drain. sanded it down to get a good fit later with the PVC.
Picture 5 Top plate to hold the liner in place.
You can see, the old popnail holes in the top-plate are nicely aligned with the popnails in the duct-plate. These popnails will provide perfect screw-holes for the top-plate.
Also, there is part of the original flange that I've left in, with some sanding and hammering, it now sits flush with the side-walls of the flange.
So by cutting out the opening in the liner and using silicone, there's a very good grip and seal on the liner when I put the top-plate on.
Internet out yesterday, so finally the pictures for the 2nd part of the drain-post:
1. Full unit with top-plate in it as well.
2. Top plate removed
3. Drain with air-pipe front.
4. Looking in the drain from the top.
5. The bottom-plate with the 2 rings glued and epoxy to be 200% sure.
6. Bottom plate from the top.
The 2 PVC rings, after glueing them together and pushing in the small wedge, became a solid ring with nothing to spare on the flange. Had to send out a little bit and then used a hammer to slowly get it on the aluminium flange. Went on without glue, but they really are solid and water-tight around the flange.
The drain-assembly slides on very easy and I'll get it glued together once we are ready to install at the pond.
Just to be sure, I used 2-part epoxy and filled in between the aluminium and plastic as well as the opening from top-plate to flange. So there's absolutely no way water can go anywhere.
I can now get the Drain-pipe, dig the trench further to horizontal and then put the pipe and glue all together.
The ugly blue / brown ring on top is a quick and dirty air-ring. Drilled a lot of holes and air comes straight through the pipe that is used to screw the dome on.
Plate is a simple plastic dinner-plate, hole in the middle, epoxy and a pipe-fitting. Can just unscrew it without messing with airlines to unhook from the diffuser. Makes for easy changing that part as well if I ever want to.
Best part: Total cost is THB 200 or about USD 6.50
This compares to USD 100 - 150 for a 'professional' one.
Cheers,
Luc
Been thinking about the filter, capacity and water feeding the filter.
Finally came to the conclusion that those Microwave Antenna's are the way to go forward for the settling chambers.
2 of them, one feeding from a bottom drain, the other from a skimmer box and a mid-level drain together.
Each of the two will then feed into it's own biofilter drum.
From there, gravity back into the pond again.
The antenna's are about 60cm from the bottom of the dome to the top. 150cm diameter, perfectly round of course.
They are aluminium, so I'm going to have to look at several things:
1. Will need to start making them water-proof. 2 component Epoxy first to fill up all the gaps, holes and popnails.
2. Have to paint the inside I think. Any advise on paint to use?
3. connect a drain to the dome (there's already a 4 inch opening there for the antenna receiver.
4. connect the inlet to a flange at the side.
5. Install these. Likely they will be put into sand with a small concrete base around the dome and drain. The rest of the antenna will be supported by sand which is also the side wall of the pond. Would make it look like a round pool level with the top of the side wall. almost like a city sewage water-treatment facility with those beams going around in concrete round pools.
Finally came to the conclusion that those Microwave Antenna's are the way to go forward for the settling chambers.
2 of them, one feeding from a bottom drain, the other from a skimmer box and a mid-level drain together.
Each of the two will then feed into it's own biofilter drum.
From there, gravity back into the pond again.
The antenna's are about 60cm from the bottom of the dome to the top. 150cm diameter, perfectly round of course.
They are aluminium, so I'm going to have to look at several things:
1. Will need to start making them water-proof. 2 component Epoxy first to fill up all the gaps, holes and popnails.
2. Have to paint the inside I think. Any advise on paint to use?
3. connect a drain to the dome (there's already a 4 inch opening there for the antenna receiver.
4. connect the inlet to a flange at the side.
5. Install these. Likely they will be put into sand with a small concrete base around the dome and drain. The rest of the antenna will be supported by sand which is also the side wall of the pond. Would make it look like a round pool level with the top of the side wall. almost like a city sewage water-treatment facility with those beams going around in concrete round pools.
You're doing a wonderful thing for your rescued fish. Your build is amazing. I wonder if your thread is posted in the wrong section? Perhaps if it was posted in the outdoor pond section, you would get more responses on your great build. Maybe a Moderator can move this thread to the Pond Section. I don't know if you have checked out the threads there, but there are some amazing ponds, and the people who built them probably have the answers to any questions you might have regarding plumbing, filtration, etc., being that they have "been there" and "done that" already. Keep up your good work!
Luc this is looking like it going be an amazing pond when it's done! Good work!
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Hello Pacu Mom,... Wow, big smile on my face, a compliment from THE Pacu Mom... I've followed your Pacu-tank build with open mouth, cant wait to see it up and running. Your tank is the absolute Number 1 on this forum for me.
But coming back to your comment, yes, absolutely makes sense. I did post in Pond-construction section on Aquaria Central, but strangely, haven't looked for that over here.
To any and all of the Moderators: Can this thread be moved? Or should I start yet another thread on Mr.T's amazing travel adventures?
But coming back to your comment, yes, absolutely makes sense. I did post in Pond-construction section on Aquaria Central, but strangely, haven't looked for that over here.
To any and all of the Moderators: Can this thread be moved? Or should I start yet another thread on Mr.T's amazing travel adventures?
