Buriram Expats
Buriram Province - General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Rabbi on April 27, 2014, 03:44:12 PM
-
I am more than pleased with my 1st use of this forum and hope it will continue. bravo1
I'll update my True vision experience after tomorrow but in the meantime I need some advice on where [hopefully] I can get stuff for the fish pond I am building without having to go to BKK
What I am looking for is:-
Submersible Pumps
Water sealant or additive for Concrete
Internal or external filters
Aerators
Anyone got any ideas?
-
^ The guy who runs this place .... http://www.burirambuildersmerchants.com/
is a member of Buriram Expats. Name is Pichai.
I would be surprised if he doesn't stock all the items you mentioned.
If he doesn't, you can rest assured that he will be only too pleased to point you in the right direction.
The main shop is on the 2074 road just off the 288 bypass and easy to find.
-
Thanks Somnat. bravo1 Once again a great and quick response. So much better than the TV forum I tried to use when I was in Pattaya.
I don't suppose you have a telephone number or know if he speaks English. Mai pen rai!! I can take my wife.
-
Somnat - Silly me!!! - all the info is there on his website ;D
-
Somnat - Silly me!!! - all the info is there on his website ;D
Yes, the website is quite informative, and Pichais English is very good :)
He is normally in the shop everyday.
-
The guy is helping me now. Go see him in his shop.. Even has men who will do the work for you if your buying a septic tank etc
-
He was in khon kaen when I spoke to him yesterday
His mobile is 0898449680..
Seems a very helpful man..
-
A fish pond ! How big ? What kind of fish ? What sort of waterplants ? How much work to maintain it ? etc.
I have a pond myself with about 2 m3. From the beginning 4 m3.Too much work to clean it out. Never finished. Fresh water from the community of very variable quality. Lot of algae most of the year. Very difficult to get rid of.
A lot of fun but when getting old you have to make a simple system. I guess you can buy most of what you asked for in Buriram but when something breaks down you may have problems to find a substitute. Especially if you live far out of town.
My system now is a standard Mitsubishi waterpump with some PVC-piping and a ceramic watertank where I deposit the garbage. The circulation of water gives a nice sound effect and it is very easy to clean out. I realy hope it will be my last design.
Good luck and keep us informed about your success.
-
A fish pond ! How big ? What kind of fish ? What sort of waterplants ? How much work to maintain it ? etc.
I have a pond myself with about 2 m3. From the beginning 4 m3.Too much work to clean it out. Never finished. Fresh water from the community of very variable quality. Lot of algae most of the year. Very difficult to get rid of.
A lot of fun but when getting old you have to make a simple system. I guess you can buy most of what you asked for in Buriram but when something breaks down you may have problems to find a substitute. Especially if you live far out of town.
My system now is a standard Mitsubishi waterpump with some PVC-piping and a ceramic watertank where I deposit the garbage. The circulation of water gives a nice sound effect and it is very easy to clean out. I realy hope it will be my last design.
Good luck and keep us informed about your success.
Sounds like we have about the same problem. I fixed up a filter system that didn't work. Pichai can sort this out for us he told us, so that's another recommendation. Took the filter unit away. If we decide to empty the pond to clean it (stressing out the Koi) it is a lot of work and after two days the algae are there again. We only see the fish when we hand feed in the morning. On my shopping list: A pump that can suck out all the gunk at the bottom, and a pressure cleaner. We had fun with our pool before we put fish in it , the dogs still love it and cool off in there every morning.
PS what is a ceramic fish tank?
-
Once again real helpful information unlike other forums that I have experienced where Farang & Thai kicking, politics and biased opinions eventually permeate almost every posting. boxingguy wildman alcoholic
I think Pichai could be the person I am looking for to assist me in completing the renovations of my house. Apart from the Fish pond that I have designed I need some competent tradesmen for a couple of weeks finishing the electrical upstairs & down, doing some plumbing upstairs and including installation of water tank & stand; I have an old well with ample water that has been tested as drinkable but just needs basic filtering of sediment to supplement the unreliable town supply.
I am hoping that Pichai can advise/supply to our mutual benefit so I am going to try and speak with him today.
Once again thanks! bravo1
-
I am personally glad for this thread as I also plan to start some kind of fish pond.
And while I have heard about algae problems, I have also stopped at numerous 7-11 fuel stops that have these "ponds'" and they are clear. However, I also acknowledge that there are several of these stops that have algae issues.
Need to find out what the clear ones are doing.
-
Hi Urleft. I have been involved in aquariums and smaller fish ponds for a number of years and am happy to collaborate with you. Whereabouts are you? I am near Chumpon Buri about 20 kms from Satuek and 80 Kms from Buriram.
-
I gather that the algae problem in my case comes from the fact that I have Koi in a small pond. They eat everything including plants that would bring the pond back into balance. I have seen the same problem in Switzerland where the addition of Koi to large ponds with a viable ecosystem and clear water has transformed them into murky, plantless (water cress went in a week) algae ridden puddles. Their gunk gathers at the bottom and gunk is what algae like. No problem with gold fish in another pond and mosquito eating fish in another. Let us know how you guys get on, I am in a state of financial imbalance at the moment so probably can't keep up with you rich guys.
-
I am personally glad for this thread as I also plan to start some kind of fish pond.
And while I have heard about algae problems, I have also stopped at numerous 7-11 fuel stops that have these "ponds'" and they are clear. However, I also acknowledge that there are several of these stops that have algae issues.
Need to find out what the clear ones are doing.
PTT station on highway 24 before Chok Chai. Pond is next to Amazon Coffee
.
-
Just a quick update. Pichai and I are in contact and I have emailed him details of all the work I need done.
BTW... I am having goldfish and algae eating suckers, not Koi, in the pond. In fact I already have 10-15 large fish in Pattaya that we will be bring up once this project is finished and the water is conditioned.
-
Attached is an image of what the pond will hopefully look like except the Buddha is being substituted with an elephant [at this stage]. That's another chore for me - find one. I have seen plenty on the roadsides I just need to ensure I can get water out of its trunk.
-
Attached is an image of what the pond will hopefully look like except the Buddha is being substituted with an elephant [at this stage]. That's another chore for me - find one. I have seen plenty on the roadsides I just need to ensure I can get water out of its trunk.
Change that water to beer and we shall join you. party4
-
Beer is the problem! That's why I need a pond so I've got something to watch while I'm having 1 or 2 or more! party4
-
So . . . . . stop drinking beer and there would be no more pond building problems to overcome, right?
-
"elephant . . find . . water out of its trunk" (or Beer)
Actually, I seem to remember seeing this sort of elephant near the Immigration office in Korat; where they have all the statuettes and ceramics.
-
"elephant . . find . . water out of its trunk" (or Beer)
Actually, I seem to remember seeing this sort of elephant near the Immigration office in Korat; where they have all the statuettes and ceramics.
Some pics (but not of the elephant) from Korat:
http://www.buriramexpats.com/forum/index.php/topic,7675.msg48031.html#msg48031
-
"elephant . . find . . water out of its trunk" (or Beer)
Actually, I seem to remember seeing this sort of elephant near the Immigration office in Korat; where they have all the statuettes and ceramics.
Some pics (but not of the elephant) from Korat:
http://www.buriramexpats.com/forum/index.php/topic,7675.msg48031.html#msg48031
Or perhaps a Km or so further North on the highway (304?) where it curves to the left; lots of ceramics, pottery and such in that area as well.
-
Back to my Fish Pond... though lots of info about tiles, ceramics etc. I think I have found a Thai artist guy that sculptures what you want just before you get to Satuek. More info later.
Met Pichai today at his huge hardware store but no pond pumps filters etc. Got waterproofing additive for cement so hopefully I wont have to put a 2 pack epoxy paint to seal the water compartments.
It is out of the ground!! Believe it or not this BBQ looking "thing" will be a fish pond to admire and drink beer around.
I thought I inserted an image but I cant see it??? Maybe it'll be on the actual posting?? Got a message when posting that it was too big! I didn't even know my wife had any input into this forum but anyway how do I make "it" smaller? The image !!!
-
OK. There is a guy at the small 'garden centre' near the elephant roundabout. At the bottom of the short road on the left. He has a pond set up with pump and filter and will do the work. He doesn't speak Thai. Sorry, I can't describe its whereabouts better than this: coming from BigC towards Buriram, turn right at the trafic lights, at the roundabout turn left. Keep your eyes open as the centre is on the right, you have to do a Uturn at the next traffic lights.
-
OK I have the photo now. Is it a BBQ or a Fish pond?
Ruangsangthai Hardware wasn't able to help with aquarium/pond supplies so am looking for any suggestions in the area.
[attachment deleted by admin]
-
Fair enough, I won't send any more suggestions.
-
Hey Davu - I appreciate your help and will be visiting the garden guy you mentioned when I am next in Buriram but was looking for some extras/alternatives as well.
-
A fishy looking BBQ????? thumbup
-
Day 3: It's taking shape - basically!!
Off to Buriram shortly to try and locate equipment from the number of leads I have been given.
-
Oops forgot to resize
-
Looking at that picture Rabbi, I am assuming you are doing the work thumbup
The LEVEL gave it away ......... :biggrin:
-
I am the designer & supervisor believe it or not the F-I-L is the worker and without prompting he uses the level.
We may start tiling tomorrow.
Spent the morning in Buriram but could not find anyone with pond & aquarium supplies. They are mainly pet shops that stock basic domestic tank stuff. Looks as though I am going to have to go to Bangkok or take a chance on buying online.
-
Suggestion.. Contact ATB he has built a few serious nice homes resonantly, Buriram and Surin that incorporated fish ponds of your design. He does post on BE.
http://www.alanthebuilder.com/
-
Thanks Maaate!! I have emailed him. I'll wait for him to contact me. thumbup
-
If you are in Pattaya, there is a really good pond equipment supplier on third road at the back of where Carrefour used to be. Basic directions are if you turn down Pattaya Klang from Sukhumvit, turn right at the lights onto third road. About 2 to 300 metres on your right hand side is where the shop is. If you pass the rear entrance to Homepro/Carrefour or what I think is now BigC you've missed it.
Have you been to the koi carp shop in Buriram yet ? If you are driving towards the town centre on the road where Macro etc are, there is a road on the left hand side immediately before the new Mazda showroom. The shop's about 50 metres after you turn on the left hand side at the side of Mazda.
-
Thanks....yes I know of several in Pattaya but I don't want to make a special trip. I will try the one near Mazda in Burriram.
At present ATB's suggestion in Surin was successful in that I was able to buy the pump & filter but they were an equipment/machinery shop and didn't have any other aquarium type products [fish, chemicals etc.]. Excellent service and a nice Thai guy Khun Gung with good English
-
I guess it's just the way they are used to doing it, but all filter systems in Thailand that I have seen have the pump actually in the filter thus drawing the water from the pond. Back home, I was more used to fitting a submersible pump into the pond. Depending on the size of the pond and the volume and size of the fish, we'd pump the water to a vortex via a UV tube. The vortex circulates the water from the bottom and the large particles of crap sink to the bottom. The water flows upwards into a pipe which then goes into the main filter chamber, usually 4 sections. First brushes, then volcanic rock or similar with dense plastic matting on top where the water fleas/nymphs live ( every good filter system should have a thriving colony of them ) then the somewhat cleaner water falling back to the pond. Remember to place the pump and water outlet at opposite ends of the pond to create a ' flow ' which naturally brings the crap to the pump. I'd give my pump a shake every few weeks and was always surprised at just how much extra crap fed through ( can't do this with an in-filter pump ). As mentioned, the pump fed the water firstly through a UV filter which kills off most of the algae. New UV tube housings have a chrome sleeve which increases the performance but you must change the UV tubes every 6 months or possibly even more frequently here. The vortex and the main filter chamber had sluice valves fitted so when needed, you could open them up and the dense crap would flow out into a nearby drain.
For your fish, the shop I mentioned near Mazda Buriram has some very large koi but at very large prices. There is a fish shop near the railway station who has more reasonably priced fish -- directions: back to the station, go forward to the clock roundabout. Turn left onto the dual carriageway. Just after the dual carriageway goes down to two lanes, there is a fish shop on the left hand side. I've had a look at Chatuchak market on a Thursday morning. Lots of fish from tiddlers up to 50 and 60 cms. There's a Dutch guy who has an enormous koi farm just outside Bangkok in Phatumthani. I've not been yet but the farm looks exceptionally good from his website: thaieuropeankoifarm.com and when I get my ornamental pond up and running I'll be paying him a visit ( my koi are currently sharing a pond with pla nin ).
-
Thanks Finnomick very informative. I was trying to find the shop near the station but finished up at an ordinary pet shop without any fish. Next time I go up to Buriram [probably early next week] I'll try again using your directions. I was looking in the same street as CAT.
I think I may have a problem in that one of my inlets is on the same side as the submersible pump but the other is around the front creating the aeration. The filter is an external cartridge. At this stage I haven't got a UV but I can add later. I am having goldfish not Koi [Carp] so the amount of excreta is lower but I will still have to clean the filter regularly.
This photo taken last night after I set up the plumbing to establish the "holes in the walls" will give you an idea. Since then and you comments I am planning to take a Tee off the aeration outlets to branch the water into the pond around to the left hand side so I now should have the flow as you suggest. I have ball valves to control the flow into the top aeration tank and now the left hand outlet.
Thanks for your advice & assistance.
[attachment deleted by admin]
-
Rabbi, I'm not that familiar with Buriram, but I think the CAT office would be in the wrong direction i.e. you would have to turn right at the clock roundabout to get to the CAT office so you want to be going in the opposite direction. I'm going there myself on Monday and I'll detour that way and double check though I know my directions to the fish shop from the station are correct ( assuming it hasn't closed of course ). There is one other ornamental fish market which I believe is just south-west of Bangkok. It's called Korana market somewhere near Ratchaburi but I've yet to speak to anyone who can give me more precise directions and info as to how good it is. I've a feeling the guy at the fish shop mentioned above told us about it.
After you have rendered your pond will you be sealing it or leaving it raw so-to-speak ? If you are leaving it just rendered, you'll have to reduce the amount of lime in the water by leaving it full and changing the water over a period of about 4 weeks. Chopped up banana trees help to soak up the lime too which is something we have done. Sorry if I am telling you what you already know.
Back home we regard goldfish as ' dirty ' fish. They'll turn most clear water ponds into brown water. One of my ponds at the front of the house is a similar size to yours and we have 15 koi in it, plus 1 goldfish, 1 albino catfish and several platties and guppies. The pond is exposed to the sun, so the water has algae in it but we don't even have a filter in it or aeration. If we change the water every 3 months or so, it stays reasonably clear. Fish love algae and the fish growers in Thailand create algae in their ponds ( by adding fertilizer ). Every time the fish opens it's mouth, it's feeding and a lot of the guys don't even have to add pellet feed in order for the fish to grow. As an ornamental pond, you'll be wanting to see your fish every time you look at it, so may I suggest growing something around the pond to give it shade or even screen it from the sun. Not that it looks that nice, but when I construct my main ornamental pond, I'm going to shade the whole area with that black plastic sun-screen. It'll also help keep bird eating fish away. We are inundated with white ibis, herons and some eagles plus several pesky but beautiful kingfishers.
-
Good Morning Finnomick and thanks for your interest and comments. thumbup
I am sort of playing this project by ear even though I have been involved in aquatic fish for 40 years or so, this is the 1st time I have built a large pond. I had a small one in my bar in Pattaya and it is these fish that I will be transporting up to our house in Chumphon Buri in about 4 weeks after the pond is finished and been running for 3 weeks. It should be operational in a day or two.
The walls have been rendered with water proofing additive then ceramic tiled - mainly to seal for leakage and appearance. I will be building a thatched shade roof over the area.
Just looked at "thaieuropeankoifarm.com" very professional operation but I am more interested in Goldfish at present and finding fish suppliers without having to go to BKK. I will follow up your leads and yes if you can check on that Buriram shop I'd appreciate it. I drove all around the station back & front streets and only found pet stores no dedicated fish ones.
If you're "..not that familiar with Buriram.." may I ask where you are? I have to drive 90 kms each way to get to Buriram from the NE
anyway time for brekkie then out to the "project.....Regards
-
well I'll try again. The market in Buriram, not the one in the town center, is where we bought goldfish and Koi, Saturdays and Tuesdays, near Jintana resort, go over the railway lines. They also sell goldfish at Lamplaimatt market, 6, 16 and 26 of the month. I never saw Farang at either of these markets.
I don't know where there is a fish shop near the railway station either.
-
Thanks Davu. I am thinking of driving down on Tuesday or Wednesday.
-
Wrong day to go to Buriram ( or anywhere else ) -- most shops closed because of the public holiday and everyone and their aunty doing the shopping. Just how many people does it take to push a shopping trolley ? About 10 if you are here.
The directions for the fish shop near the station are accurate. At the end of the dual carriageway, there's a row of about 8 ( or so ) small shops just before the road does an ' S ' bend. Trouble was, they were ALL closed today so I can't say if this business still exists. The shop at the side of Mazda was open.
Rabbi, I live about 60kms due south of Buiram.
Davu, I know a guy who sells fish at the markets. He buys all his fish from Chatuchak on a Thursday. He goes down every fortnight, and the in between weeks, they send the fish up via bus. We have a fishing shop, well, that is the wife has a fishing shop, We ( done it again ), she also used to sell tropical fish which she bought once a week from the market guy. Can't believe how cheap fish are here especially as at least two ' hands ' had taken a profit out before she got them. Never really had an issue with the quality of the fish either. If you go to Chatuchak, one can buy a bag of 100 platys or guppies for 250 baht. Goldfish just a bit more, they started at 300 baht for 100.
-
Chatuchak is the main fish market out of BKK isn't it? I have heard about it so will try and get there on the way back from Pattaya around 20th.
I'll have to rethink my travelling to Buriram tomorrow if shops are closed.
I have to go to BKK on Friday then Pattaya for a week and am hopeful the pond will be operational Wednesday so it can run for about 3 weeks pending the arrival of the fish from Pattaya.
-
Yes Rabbi, it is the main fish market in Bangkok. It does a special ornamental fish market on Thursday mornings as in from about 2am. We arrived at 7am to find most people already spent up and gone although there were plenty of fish still available. Nearest BTS is Morchit. It also does fish at the weekend, but the rest of the market is also open with thousands of people milling around so Thursday is best when the rest of the market is closed. You have to be careful where you park too. There is one road where everyone parks or there is a multi-storey car park in the market though you have to walk back down the ramp to get to the market. The lifts only start operating when the indoor shopping/mall area opens. Don't park on any other perimeter roads as you will be towed although there are no restricted parking red and white kerbs. Crazy.
You should be OK with the shops in Buriram from tomorrow -- the public holiday is only today.
-
I am not sure whether this will post globally or only to Banga. Hopefully all who have had a part in this project, which I admit wouldn't be completed without Buriram Expats "Expats helping Expats". Thanks to everyone bravo1
Yep about an hour ago I released the "test fish" into the pond that has been running for about a week. Still a little murky but PH level is at 7.4. I have 120micron filter and I'll see how it goes over a few weeks
I have my 3+ year old goldfish travelling up from Pattaya on Sunday. Each one in it's own travelling bag in an air-conditioned car, just to keep them at about 280. The fish man in Pattaya who is arranging the transport reckons the individual bag method is superior and less stressful to transporting in a box.
Anyway here are 2 photos of the completed pond
[attachment deleted by admin]
-
Very nice Rabbi,now it doesn't look like a "fishy BBQ" as I joked a while back,very nice Mate.
-
It does look nice. Can imagine sitting around the pond having an adult beverage or two. Quite calming.
-
...and if it's really hot, you can dangle your feet over the edge.....that's if you can stand the fish nibbling at your feet
-
Poor fish.... 2guys
-
Uhmmm... if I dangle my feet over it's not them that the fish might nibble on!!!
So I will just observe while having a beer or 2 or 3
On a different note it appears that all TV channels are under control now.... nothing on True!!