Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Year I remember you posting about the cost of concrete before. It is why it so important to consider the market where you are when making these decisions.

I'm not even sure I could even do reo for $14/m2 let alone the concrete, form work and labour.

The total cost will be higher, because I've had them heavily fortify the areas where my fish tanks will sit. Concrete pins will be set 1.25m into the ground as to prevent settling/cracking under the fish tanks. The land I'm building on is newly filled soil, and I wanted to avoid any settling issues.

It appears my concerns where completely unfounded. The Aquaponics Asia that Ponic Wars has been dealing with is not the organisation of the same name that has a mailing address in Australia.

I looked at the blockwork option quite extensively and because it was so cost effective it was top of the list for quite some time. The problem was the footings adding a lot to the cost.

I moved on to polystyrene sacricficial forms which were cheaper again but the cost of the footings was still there.

Even so a concrete wall 150mm thick works out to be 6.67m2/m3 at $220/m3 for concrete that is $33/m2 just for the concrete. Then the reo and form work adds to that and then the footing kills it deader than a dead thing.

I'm investigating a number of new alternatives to steel reo in concrete tilt slabs which could be used with a supplementary structural frame (much cheaper than a concrete footing). The new reo product also allows for a much thinner concrete wall (100mm or maybe even 75mm). That would put concrete back on the table for consideration.

In the mean time I have two other options for the structural skin for tanks, GBs and the like. I've got a meeting tomorrow about purchasing a couple of semis of Californian Redwood Logs. If I can swing that then I'll be getting them milled for my own use but also for sale* for other APers to use.

Not that that helps you.

I have no idea what liners are available to you and concrete will work.

*I've had a chat to Joel about me talking about me spruking my commercial activities. Still sorting out the details

Be intersting as this developes how it goes. I hope you keep posting Ponicwars. So if the fish water goes to the plants but not back to the fish tanks where are getting rid of it? And if constantly getting fresh water for the fish tanks how will that have the proper bacteria and control?

LoL kind of sureal I'm reading Samuels posts and the wifes listening to Avengers behind me and Samuel L. Jackson was talking at the time.

Back to Ponicwars if you ever do something to cool the water I'd like to hear that. I am thinking along the same lines to raise trout in a hotter climate then usual. Have a couple ideas on it but would like to see what you might come up with.

Concrete block work (40x18x14cm ones) should cost you no more than Baht 80 per m2 (labour), top concrete edge included (15x15). Good blocks go for a price of Baht 14 a piece, comes at around Baht 180 per m2. A price of Baht 300 per m2 for a concrete block wall only is more than enough to pay.

It is common that builders argue their higher price with building in "farang" quality. That argument gives away their real mind, since they're simply not capable of building "farang quality" and they know that! It's the "farang" money they're after. Thai would never pay prices like that, since they know it's going to be a crap job anyway. Forget that concrete building in Thailand will last forever (as it probably would in the West). It's not, be happy if it will stand for 30 years or so.

What pisses me off with that mentality, is that they waste a lot of good materials (because the good brands have good quality materials) that could last a very long time, but it won't here. Imagine all the building waste piling up over the years because stuff collapses way to soon or has to be demolished since it is no longer safe to use. It's already a big problem now, let alone in 10 to 20 years from now.

For concrete based tanks you also need the right waterproofing materials and the skilled labour to apply it. The materials are by now readily available (1 year ago not!) but the skilled labour not. So, in less than a year expect to be on it again with another contractor who will screw it up again. An ongoing story for as long you have those Thai build concrete tanks.

I can only advice you to take your time and find some individuals that you can direct, and most important, that will listen to your instructions. Take it step by step and kick them out immediately if you don't like their work. Stay away from the so called "contractors", they're crap in all aspects. In general, you won't get what you ask for, not even the least you could imagine.

Maybe it's a typical Isan problem, but my experience with all of them is that they are as thick as a brick, and unprecedented stubborn. It's harder to get through that brick wall in front of their head than through the concrete wall they build.

After the experiences with these "contractors or builders" I decided to just do it all myself and walk the difficult path. I'm very happy with it. No hassle, no drunk Thai on my land partying all night after work, not having to pay for work that couldn't be done worst, not spending my whole day trying to explain the simplest things to people that simply don't want to listen to start with etc. It takes longer, but it is very relaxed like this and the good vibrations stay around.

Hence, answered your question about how things are going here. Slow, but sure and the way I like it.

So Ryan, do you want to come to Australia?

This is a really interesting thread. I'm so looking forward to seeing the PonicWars project unfold. Awesome to see someone doing what most of us dream of - taking some time off to focus on whatever gives us bliss. Ryan, good on you mate!
Domani's posts give a fascinating insight into the hassles of getting a project built in some places. We take so much for granted in the quality sense, but we sure pay a lot for everything.
And as always, Stuart's posts are like a little tech journal, so much knowledge.
BYAP forum rocks!
Will be watching this thread with much interest.

First up , thanks to Ryan who is a top young bloke for alerting me to what has been said on this thread , i have to say firstup, i am annoyed that apparently intelligent people can make rash statements ,with no research and then when found to be incorrect just post a loose retraction .... too late the damage is done .... what i would like to see is all the posts to be removed that discuss any connection with the others you mention ... if the mods did a better job imo Mr Stuart would be in the sinbin .... yes i am aquaponicsasia , i built a system which you can freely view on my FB page aquaponicsasia , message me on FB i will be glad to entertain your questions ... i built that farm along with a 240 sqm house , a concrete swimming pool , in a remote Isaan village 1 hr Nth of Nong khai , using local labour and mine of course ....all in 1 year !!! so contrary to what others in Isaan may post it can be done and at a fraction of the cost in Oz ....i have had a long standing association with Aquaponics Thailand and in fact that will soon turn into a commercial joint venture . Ryan posted something as a community benefit , to share, thats the type of young guy he is , for some of you more senior posters to first try and discredit something he posted, is to me sheer jealousy ....lift your game fellas !!