Arapaima Pond Build

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Oh, did not trust the dinner plate for the pond drain. Afraid the fish would knock it out and damage the airline.
So I poured a 50cm concrete disc with PVC elbows as spacers for 1" clearance.
15cm thick, so it should be over 20kg. Heavy enough to stay in place.
Hole in the middle for the air-pipe and need to paint it waterproof.
 
Well, after lots of trying yesterday I gave up. There was trouble to even reach Aquaria Central, let alone post anything.
Might have been Apple hogging all the servers with the iPad 3 introduction. Would not be surprised if that was the case.

Anyhow, pictures of yesterday and some comments on it:

1. The Settling Tank needs work, silicone work, around the popnails. Leaking too much, so that's a nice job for the coming days.
2. The Bottom-drain filled with water, testing that one on leaks..seems to be holding up, so that's good.
3. Mr. T. is a happy camper, but I'm sure he'll be amazed once he gets in the new pond.
4. The cover for the Settling Tank is perfect, no need to be water proof, but fits very nice to keep rubbish and animals out.
5. That drain for the settling tank is just plain perfect. The amount of water gushing out is perfect to drain the rubbish.
6. The Dome for the bottom-drain is nicely drying out. I'm sure that one will work good.
7. Really hope to get the liner in next week. Will then start making preparations for the move...
8. Concrete work almost finished. Need to put a rail at the backside so that I can get wires across to support sun-shade fabric.
9. The dome over the top of the settling tank will also provide nice support for spray-nozzles to add water.
10. Planning for auto top-up inside the settling tank. Just fix a float and water inlet to get it done.

Pictures of the work:
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36.jpg
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32.jpg
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36.jpg

34.jpg

33.jpg

35.jpg

31.jpg

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32.jpg
 
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Its looking really good man. I wish I had the money in the beginning to concrete my pond. Yours is going to look way more professional than mine does. lol
 
Thanks Derek for your comment.
Well, I only put a concrete wall at the front to have a clear viewing area and support for steel to keep up a sun-shade. Pond itself will be liner.
Reason for putting up the wall is also that I can't dig very deep there. So instead of digging, I simply brought up the back and sides with the 40 or so centimeters I dig out of it. Also using sand from flooding sandbags. They are falling apart by now, so we have good use for that sand.
Money-wise, I'm very surprised how it turned out. Would never have thought it to be so cheap. Initial budget was USD 1,000 but that was far too optimistic. Have funds for up to USD 2,000 to get it all done.
Looks like I can get there with only that amount.
Hope I can soon turn open the tap to get the pond filled. That will be quite some planning and work still.

Cheers,
Luc
 
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Great job Luc, you've come a long way. Keep up the good work. Can't wait to see the finished results with the happy arapaima in there :)
 
Thanks DammitKhoa, so far I'm very happy with it.
Hope this continues..very impatient person...lol, want to get that ready before the end of the month.
 
more more!
Lol..thanks for following Nerd, will try to get some more today, but no workers available, all out for customers.

Opened up the tent-cover this morning, feeding Mr.T. He's adorable. Coming over, getting his strokes over his head and back.
Saw our cleaning lady yesterday tickling him under his chin, his sides, he loves it...
Got his feeding of pellets, gulping them down, hungry. Bit cooler today after yesterday rain, thank god..too hot and humid last couple of weeks.

Bought some stuff yesterday like stainless steel screws for the liner-plates.
Also brought silicone to plug the rivets..
So will get my flip-flops on, dive into the settling tank and start some work.

Cheers,
Luc
 
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