Cambansay - Idea

[MingJohan]

Hi to all

I'm a new to any thing that have to do with farming and ponics(aqua or hydro). Saying that I believe a person is never to old to learn something new. What I know about ponics is what I research and learn via internet and forums like Aquaponics HQ.

Where do I want to build it - Bohol, Philippines

Why?
I'm a South African, that fall in love with the Philippines and are married to a Pinay.
Where I will retire not want to retire (less crime,)

This my idea of the AP system I want to build:

1. Based on the UVI system - small scale -
2. Build out of ferrocement - wood will not work due to termites and humid conditions I think. If I'm wrong please correct me.

And here is where i ask for help. I understand the concept of Ferrocement and read on this forum, that some did build tanks out of FC. I under stand due to a system crash that the photo's are lost - perhaps some one still have some photo's of it - if so please mail it to me or re post it.

Any ideas on how to make it leach proof. I read that it's possible to use bee wax or paraffin wax to seal it with (not so sure about the paraffin wax - toxic), did use it on a small indoor fountain and my goldfish survived).

As I progress with my system, design I will keep on posting here. I did download sketch-up just need to learn it,hehhehehehe.

Thanks

Johan

[Pugo]

I would just use, acid to clean the concrete and it will be fine.. or have it sealed with epoxy.. Do your best to stay with local materials. As western materials cost is to much.. Don't think technology you are going to Bohol. Even if you are willing to spend the extra money, Nobody would know what to do with it or how to build with it, that would mean you would have to do the work yourself.. Pinoy or very intelligent people that can do almost anything with what they have on hand.. I am planning concrete fish tanks and concrete growbeds, just adding some "Sahara" which is used to make concrete water proof.

As you can't use anything that kills insects, because it will kill the fish too. You need to plan on growing stuff that the insects don't like.. that is what I am going to do. There is also another business that money can be made from Quail also known as Pugo in the Philippines. selling eggs and quail meat. could be a great plan also.

The dream of living in the Philippines and the reality is very different.. Doing business is not as easy at it looks.. profit margins are always very small and foreigner lifestyles are very high. so it almost always becomes a problem.

[MingJohan]

Pugo

Thanks for the advice, and will keep it in mind. Yes you correct, reality is different, maybe I become Pinoy, as long as I can provide my family (including mom and Dad) with food I'm happy.

Will try to convince asawa to look in to Pugo and not 45 day chickens.

[Pugo]

Broilers are a hard way to go.. heat is always a problem, let alone all the diseases you have to deal with.. not much money in broilers or pig grow out any more.. In 51 days quails are laying eggs, space it takes to raise them is very small. a full grown quail only needs 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches of floor space and a chicken needs like a 10 times that much space.. I have lots of PDF's on the subject if you want them just PM me..

[MingJohan]

Pugo, if you talk about a acid wash is it the normal hydro chloric acid wash?

[Pugo]

yeah, but you have to use the diluted version.. but trust me they do know how to make a tank water proof.. I knew someone that used vinegar to wash there concrete for there Tilapia pond. it seemed to work just fine.. but it was just a Tilapia pond and not AP. so he never tested the water.. So I have no idea what the PH was.. but the fish were fine..

[MingJohan]

Yes I have first hand experience on the waterproofing, they build me a water tank, December till today no leak can't say the same of the roof of the house.. Will replace it once the extensions are done

[Pugo]

I just don't know what it is about leaking roofs and the Philippines...LOL but that seems to happen all the time..

[MingJohan]

Ok my first question.

UVI based their tanks on 5000l I plan to use 1700l tanks. Do I need to scale the filters down too.. or is it bigger is better. I understand that I have to scale the rafts down, because my daily feeding will be less.

[Pugo]

I would go for 2,500L plan.. not that much more.. with a very nice fish density. You will only have bacteria for the amount of waste produced by the fish. if no fish no waste there for no bacteria.. Bacteria can only multiply as long as there is ammonia for them to consume they need food to survive like everything else. So make sure that your bio filter is big enough, over building a filter is much better than under building it..

I am planning on four fish tanks, each one will be 2,500L, My growbeds will be similar to UVI but I will have them filled with gravel..but running them on a continuous flow like DWC. And as smaller fish are preferred by the locals, grow out will only be six months to seven months. I also plan on growing plants the insects are not very interested in, like chili's , green onion's, etc etc..But they are mostly there to remove the nitrates from the system..

Along with a couple of quail barns.. so that is 40,000 quail which will lay 35,000 eggs everyday.. it should make a tidy sum..