In mid-February 2025, we kicked off one of the first major steps on our land in Chumphon Buri, digging two large ponds dedicated to raising tilapia. No complicated systems, no mixed use, just solid, straightforward fish farming.
The Plan
We designed two ponds, each measuring 10 meters wide, 25 meters long, and 3.5 meters deep. Why two? Simple: it gives us more control. We can separate different age groups, experiment with stocking densities, or rest one pond while the other is in production. Flexibility is everything when you’re starting out.
Getting to Work
On February 16th, we brought in a Kobelco SK140S excavator to start digging. This machine hit the sweet spot: strong enough to dig deep and fast, but not so massive that it became overkill for our plot. The soil here is mostly hard-packed clay, which isn’t fun to work with, but it’s perfect for sealing ponds naturally.
Digging Day by Day
Day one was all about opening up the first pond. The excavator made quick work of the top layers. As we hit deeper clay, progress slowed slightly, but nothing unexpected. We stuck to our planned dimensions and kept a close eye on the shape and depth.
We didn’t go for straight vertical walls. Instead, we cut a gentle slope into the sides. This helps prevent erosion, makes maintenance easier, and just makes more sense long-term. It might mean a bit more digging now, but it avoids headaches later.
By day two, we had moved on to the second pond. Same size, same method. We used string lines and depth markers to double-check everything. Once you’re three meters deep, you don’t want surprises.
Job Done
By the end of day two, both ponds were fully excavated and shaped. We piled the excess soil along the sides, which we’ll use later for landscaping and creating raised walking paths.
No drama, no delays—just solid progress. And standing there at the edge of the ponds, it finally felt real. This isn’t just a patch of land anymore. It’s the beginning of our tilapia farm.
What’s Next?
Next up: compacting the bottom and letting nature do the sealing. Then we’ll bring in water and begin cycling the ponds before introducing the first batch of fingerlings. This is small-scale fish farming, but we’re doing it right from the ground up.
These ponds will be the backbone of our fish operation at Ban Rahan Fish & Greenery Farm—and this was just the beginning.