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  1. #1
    Senior Member Rank = Yonsai goldengrahams91's Avatar
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    AEM Easy Drum Review

    Hi Guys as promised hear is my review on the AEM easy drum.

    first of AEM are a very well known drum filter brand in Europe but don't seem to have made there way to the uk in any numbers so far but i think that may all change when the word gets around about these drums.

    i bought it from a dealer called Heldere5er and have to say although they are dutch the communication they gave through the process was really good.

    i managed to get it delivered to the uk with the optional poster pump delivered to the uk for just over £1000 so for a drum this is a big milestone marker. you can get this drum cheaper that what i paid if you shop around as some people are offering the cleaning pump for free at certain times so this will bring the price to under £1000.
    delivery took under 2 days.

    my first impressions of the drum after unboxing the unit are wow. i thought that due to the low cost that the drum would be made of flimsy plastic material and generally look like it is a cheaper product but i was willing to accept some draw backs due to the cost saving.
    how wrong i was. the plastic is about 10-12mm thick and is super ridged and doesn't look like it will become a week point. i can nearly flex it even if i push on it.
    the body is made of one moulded plastic piece so no chance of getting any leaks from the body like some of the cheaper uk units have suffered from in the past.

    the motor is a direct driven motor so this again is another big plus point especially at this price point.
    I will get the motor cover off the back at some point and have a good look at the motor.

    it comes with a controller with water level sensor like most other drums so it will clean when it gets dirty unlike some cheap drums that are purely timed based controllers.
    the controller also has power sockets for the uv, pressure pump and also you main return pump to make sure it doesn't run dry if for some reason the drum stops working.

    the screen of the drum is easily removable and also i found whist given the drum a good look over there are two bungs in the drum that can be removed if there were ever to be a problem with the drum screen, so you can just bypass it and keep your filters running.

    as standard it comes with a 40watt amalgam submersible uv unit. Again for just over £1000 all in it really is a bargain.

    obviously i have not plumbed this unit in yet or even switched it on for that matter as my filter house is very much a work in progress but so far i am not regretting my decision one bit.

    hear are some photos for everyone to get a better idea of the drum.

    20161021_162300.jpg20161021_162041.jpg20161021_162058.jpg20161021_162104.jpg20161021_162125.jpg20161021_162142.jpg20161021_162200.jpg20161021_162207.jpg20161021_162222.jpg20161021_162023.jpg
    20161021_162425.jpg20161021_162315.jpg20161021_162307.jpg20161021_162432.jpg


    I am sure i will have missed something about the drum from the write up so if you have any questions about the drum fire away and i will do my best to answer them.

    i have currently contacted AEM to get a full set of instructions in english so i should hear back about that soon. if they send me over some which i am sure they will and anyone needs them just let me know and i will be happy to email them round to whoever needs/wants them.



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  3. #2
    Senior Member Rank = Hassai apbarr's Avatar
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    Thanks for the review, mine should be with me by Tue or Wed next week. Glad to hear that you're happy with the quality. Is yours gravity fed?

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  5. #3
    Senior Member Rank = Yonsai goldengrahams91's Avatar
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    you will love it i am sure of that.

    yes this one is gravity fed wouldn't imagine there will be much difference with the pump fed model apart from the inlet size and location and also pipe fitment.

    this is an extract from the manual on how to fit it in the system gravity fed and also pump fed to help you if you are trying to plan pipework and stuff.
    Screen Shot 2016-10-21 at 21.57.20.png


    Screen Shot 2016-10-21 at 21.57.08.png
    Screen Shot 2016-10-21 at 21.57.15.png

    although looking at these images doesn't show any difference between the two models but will be good to see if there is differences with your one.

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  7. #4
    Senior Member Rank = Hassai apbarr's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by goldengrahams91 View Post
    although looking at these images doesn't show any difference between the two models but will be good to see if there is differences with your one.
    I was advised that there are some modifications carried out to the pump fed version but I don't know what. Thanks for the info, I'll report back next week sometime.

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  9. #5
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion freddyboy's Avatar
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    Nice one mate. Well wrote. I have a nexus and Draco drum. Which does a very good job on my build. You said it was £1000 pound or there abouts. Does that include the postage. If so looking at the photo s you look like having a bargain there mate. Look s very well made. Do you have to assemble it all together. Or is it just delivered and plug and play. The Draco was just plug and play. You also said the people you have dealt with have been very good. That s nice to know. Yeah bud I think you have done yourself proude with this drum. Another drum that's cheaper then the big company s that ran the market. Up until aem and Draco took them on. Got to be good for the working man koi keepers. Keep us informed and lots of photo s as you assemble. How does it pan out with water levels. Is it . Where is the level. Why I ask is because the Draco is with the waste tray. I had problems there. I set it same hight as nexus. And not with the waste tray. Thanks. All the best Fred

  10. #6
    Senior Member Rank = Yonsai goldengrahams91's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by freddyboy View Post
    Nice one mate. Well wrote. I have a nexus and Draco drum. Which does a very good job on my build. You said it was £1000 pound or there abouts. Does that include the postage. If so looking at the photo s you look like having a bargain there mate. Look s very well made. Do you have to assemble it all together. Or is it just delivered and plug and play. The Draco was just plug and play. You also said the people you have dealt with have been very good. That s nice to know. Yeah bud I think you have done yourself proude with this drum. Another drum that's cheaper then the big company s that ran the market. Up until aem and Draco took them on. Got to be good for the working man koi keepers. Keep us informed and lots of photo s as you assemble. How does it pan out with water levels. Is it . Where is the level. Why I ask is because the Draco is with the waste tray. I had problems there. I set it same hight as nexus. And not with the waste tray. Thanks. All the best Fred
    Hi mate yes that included delivery as well.
    It comes just plug and play all you have to do is insert the uv bulb and adjust water level sensor the height you want it.
    Water level is the same as the draco it is level with the bottom of the waste chute but luckily spotted in the manual so hopfully won't have to manually set up issues

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  12. #7
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion freddyboy's Avatar
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    Nice one mate on quick reply. That's an even better deal then I thought. Also the plug and play part.I like this too. As a lot of people are no good with DIY.me included. That's what I liked about the draco. Also good you spotted the water hight in the manual. I made big mistake with that part of things. Also I had to pressure washer my drum first. As it was not releasing water. The film that was on it for protection. Was holding water in your look like you have a belter of a drum there bud.. Good luck with rest of build mate
    Its been good following the progress. Best fred.
    Last edited by freddyboy; 25-10-2016 at 08:23 AM.

  13. #8
    Senior Member Rank = Hassai apbarr's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by goldengrahams91 View Post
    Water level is the same as the draco it is level with the bottom of the waste chute but luckily spotted in the manual so hopfully won't have to manually set up issues
    That appears to be the difference between gravity and pump fed versions. In mine the water level assembly is located in the inlet side of the drum and is the other way up presumably as it is triggered by the rising water level in the pumped inlet

    Drum.jpg

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  15. #9
    Senior Member Rank = Yonsai goldengrahams91's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by apbarr View Post
    That appears to be the difference between gravity and pump fed versions. In mine the water level assembly is located in the inlet side of the drum and is the other way up presumably as it is triggered by the rising water level in the pumped inlet

    Drum.jpg
    Ya that seems to make sense also looks like it is a set height I guess just bellow the waste chute. Where as the gravity version seems to be on a sliding bracket about 5 inches long

  16. #10
    Senior Member Rank = Mature Champion Ant62's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by goldengrahams91 View Post
    Hi Guys as promised hear is my review on the AEM easy drum.

    first of AEM are a very well known drum filter brand in Europe but don't seem to have made there way to the uk in any numbers so far but i think that may all change when the word gets around about these drums.

    i bought it from a dealer called Heldere5er and have to say although they are dutch the communication they gave through the process was really good.

    i managed to get it delivered to the uk with the optional poster pump delivered to the uk for just over £1000 so for a drum this is a big milestone marker. you can get this drum cheaper that what i paid if you shop around as some people are offering the cleaning pump for free at certain times so this will bring the price to under £1000.
    delivery took under 2 days.

    my first impressions of the drum after unboxing the unit are wow. i thought that due to the low cost that the drum would be made of flimsy plastic material and generally look like it is a cheaper product but i was willing to accept some draw backs due to the cost saving.
    how wrong i was. the plastic is about 10-12mm thick and is super ridged and doesn't look like it will become a week point. i can nearly flex it even if i push on it.
    the body is made of one moulded plastic piece so no chance of getting any leaks from the body like some of the cheaper uk units have suffered from in the past.

    the motor is a direct driven motor so this again is another big plus point especially at this price point.
    I will get the motor cover off the back at some point and have a good look at the motor.

    it comes with a controller with water level sensor like most other drums so it will clean when it gets dirty unlike some cheap drums that are purely timed based controllers.
    the controller also has power sockets for the uv, pressure pump and also you main return pump to make sure it doesn't run dry if for some reason the drum stops working.

    the screen of the drum is easily removable and also i found whist given the drum a good look over there are two bungs in the drum that can be removed if there were ever to be a problem with the drum screen, so you can just bypass it and keep your filters running.

    as standard it comes with a 40watt amalgam submersible uv unit. Again for just over £1000 all in it really is a bargain.

    obviously i have not plumbed this unit in yet or even switched it on for that matter as my filter house is very much a work in progress but so far i am not regretting my decision one bit.

    hear are some photos for everyone to get a better idea of the drum.

    20161021_162300.jpg20161021_162041.jpg20161021_162058.jpg20161021_162104.jpg20161021_162125.jpg20161021_162142.jpg20161021_162200.jpg20161021_162207.jpg20161021_162222.jpg20161021_162023.jpg
    20161021_162425.jpg20161021_162315.jpg20161021_162307.jpg20161021_162432.jpg


    I am sure i will have missed something about the drum from the write up so if you have any questions about the drum fire away and i will do my best to answer them.

    i have currently contacted AEM to get a full set of instructions in english so i should hear back about that soon. if they send me over some which i am sure they will and anyone needs them just let me know and i will be happy to email them round to whoever needs/wants them.
    I missed this review for some reason..

    From the pics it does look good...
    Have you set it up and what was it like connecting all the pipes etc.....

  17. #11
    Senior Member Rank = Yonsai goldengrahams91's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ant62 View Post
    I missed this review for some reason..

    From the pics it does look good...
    Have you set it up and what was it like connecting all the pipes etc.....
    Nope not got it set up yet.
    Got it sat in the filter house in location but waiting for the electrician to run some power before I can board up the filter house and then plumb in the drum. Most likely will be other side of Christmas before I can give it a real test

  18. #12
    Senior Member Rank = Hassai apbarr's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by goldengrahams91 View Post
    Nope not got it set up yet.
    Got it sat in the filter house in location but waiting for the electrician to run some power before I can board up the filter house and then plumb in the drum. Most likely will be other side of Christmas before I can give it a real test
    I'm hoping to have mine up and running at the weekend after a delay due to me having a heavy cold and lying low.

    I'll report back early next week

  19. #13
    Senior Member Rank = Mature Champion Ant62's Avatar
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    Gutted for you......

    I would be like.......if i can do this n do that........

    Be worth it though.....

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  21. #14
    Senior Member Rank = Mature Champion Ant62's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by apbarr View Post
    I'm hoping to have mine up and running at the weekend after a delay due to me having a heavy cold and lying low.

    I'll report back early next week

    Sweat it out......
    Excuse to set it up then.......

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  23. #15
    Senior Member Rank = Hassai apbarr's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ant62 View Post
    Sweat it out......
    Excuse to set it up then.......
    Been working away solvent welding joints today

  24. #16
    How are these drums working for you guys?

  25. #17
    Senior Member Rank = Yonsai goldengrahams91's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by discuskeeper View Post
    How are these drums working for you guys?
    Not got mine up and running yet as my pond is fully built yet should be working in a few months

  26. #18
    Thanks for quick reply.

  27. #19
    Senior Member Rank = Hassai apbarr's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by discuskeeper View Post
    How are these drums working for you guys?
    To be honest I'm a little disappointed. I had an initial problem with the drum not turning which was down to an improperly set slip clutch mechanism. Once I borrowed a torque wrench and set it to 65 N/m all was fine. I checked earlier today to be faced with a half empty pond and overflowing drum. It appears that for some reason the drum has not been working. There was a red light showing on the control panel and the mesh has simply clogged up and restricted the flow to the point where the drum filled up and overflowed. I am considering fitting an overflow to the drum to avoid losing so much water if this happens again but I'm now in the position where I don't trust the drum enough to go away and leave it.

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  29. #20
    Senior Member Rank = Yonsai goldengrahams91's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by apbarr View Post
    To be honest I'm a little disappointed. I had an initial problem with the drum not turning which was down to an improperly set slip clutch mechanism. Once I borrowed a torque wrench and set it to 65 N/m all was fine. I checked earlier today to be faced with a half empty pond and overflowing drum. It appears that for some reason the drum has not been working. There was a red light showing on the control panel and the mesh has simply clogged up and restricted the flow to the point where the drum filled up and overflowed. I am considering fitting an overflow to the drum to avoid losing so much water if this happens again but I'm now in the position where I don't trust the drum enough to go away and leave it.

    this isn't the news i was hoping to hear back from you

    do you know what the flashing red light means just had a quick look through the manual and nothing is jumping out at me.
    have you now got it sorted? did you speak to AEM about it ?
    there are two red plugs on the input side that can be removed so you can use it without it flowing through the drum until you work out what is wrong

    the manual does actually mention about checking the nut with a torque wrench although didn't see this till after you mentioned it so guess they knew there would be some adjustments to be made.

    i guess as it is a brand new product there will always be a couple of teething problems just a bit annoying when you have spent so much money but they are a reputable company so hopefully any issues you may get they would be able to help with quickly

 

 
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