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  1. #1

    Hi All,good afternoon.

    Been lurking in background for a few weeks find this forum very informative.
    Not new to koi keeping but need abit of advice from you guys.
    Pond is 4000 galls, pump fed to nexus 300, tmc 55w, veggy filter.
    Used to love my multi bay but the cleaning got to become a chore.
    Love the nexus for cleaning but the fines are a constant nightmare during summer months when feeding increases.
    The advice ; Have any of you guys out there added a Draco add on (or similar)to there pump fed nexus ?.If so what are your results re clarity ?.
    Regards.



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  3. #2
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion Andy1671's Avatar
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    Hello and welcome
    5000 Gallon Fibreglassed Pond With 54" x 27" Infinity Window
    BD300 Drum Filter
    Artesian 0.5hp - Aquadyne 4.4c Beadfilter - PS4 Protein Shower
    Badu Eco Touch - EP20 UV Sterilizer - ASHP - Venturi
    Hi Blo 60 - Medo 45 - Spindrifter Bottom Drain
    Wide Mouthed Skimmer

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    Moderator Rank = Supreme Champion Feline's Avatar
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    Hi there Codbottle.
    Some members have added Draco drums to their Nexuses (or is that Nexi?). I think the general verdict is they are delighted with the water clarity and build quality.

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    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion Andy1671's Avatar
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    One thing i did bring up at the Young Koi Show with the maker of the Draco, is there is an area of still water.
    Where you would normally insert the plastic blade for cleaning is where the Draco intake pipe goes.
    This diverts all the water into the Draco but some does seep by and just sits in the inner ring of the Nexus
    5000 Gallon Fibreglassed Pond With 54" x 27" Infinity Window
    BD300 Drum Filter
    Artesian 0.5hp - Aquadyne 4.4c Beadfilter - PS4 Protein Shower
    Badu Eco Touch - EP20 UV Sterilizer - ASHP - Venturi
    Hi Blo 60 - Medo 45 - Spindrifter Bottom Drain
    Wide Mouthed Skimmer

  6. #5
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    Freddy boy on here has one and he is very happy with it.
    John

  7. #6
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion freddyboy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by codbottle View Post
    Been lurking in background for a few weeks find this forum very informative.
    Not new to koi keeping but need abit of advice from you guys.
    Pond is 4000 galls, pump fed to nexus 300, tmc 55w, veggy filter.
    Used to love my multi bay but the cleaning got to become a chore.
    Love the nexus for cleaning but the fines are a constant nightmare during summer months when feeding increases.
    The advice ; Have any of you guys out there added a Draco add on (or similar)to there pump fed nexus ?.If so what are your results re clarity ?.
    Regards.
    Mine is gravity fed from bottom drain. But great bit of kit.
    Clarity is gin rin clear.

    Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

  8. #7
    Thanks peeps for response, Now ive been out and seen some combi drums in action my heads spinning at what to do

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  10. #8
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    I have had a similar set up to you,3000gal pond bottom drain to nexus 300 55watt uv return.

    Got rid of the nexus and fitted a Draco solum 25 stand alone from bottom drain and skimmer,to home made bio chamber with k1 kept from the nexus,works great and dont miss the nexus though i did like it at the time,any stand alone drum is good and i think most work basically the same but there is a price difference.
    The Aem is a great price for what you get but it depends on your funds and most can be pump fed at no extra cost.
    John

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  12. #9
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion freddyboy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by codbottle View Post
    Thanks peeps for response, Now ive been out and seen some combi drums in action my heads spinning at what to do
    As john said all about funds. I have a draco in my nexus 320. Been great for 2 years now. To me all drums do the same job. Its the bio media side you have to get right. And what type of flow turnover you want. My pond is 4000 gallons. And this setup works for me.

    Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

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  14. #10
    Senior Member Rank = Grand Champion andikoi's Avatar
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    a simple idea unless your already doing it is put a piece of japmat in the exit slot,you will be amazed how much muck this collects,and as it blocks up it collects more and more fines,then when you clean nexus out,just dip it down side of easy section to rinse it off,i have 3500g on a nexus 200 and my water is ok,i can see bottom of pond clearly 6ft down,oother piece of advice is ditch the pump fed and fit a bottom drain or even a retro bd if possible,this will stop your pump making a lot of the fines as thats what its doing now,andi

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  16. #11
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion freddyboy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by andikoi View Post
    a simple idea unless your already doing it is put a piece of japmat in the exit slot,you will be amazed how much muck this collects,and as it blocks up it collects more and more fines,then when you clean nexus out,just dip it down side of easy section to rinse it off,i have 3500g on a nexus 200 and my water is ok,i can see bottom of pond clearly 6ft down,oother piece of advice is ditch the pump fed and fit a bottom drain or even a retro bd if possible,this will stop your pump making a lot of the fines as thats what its doing now,andi
    Brill advice andi

    Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

  17. #12
    Hi. I think I,m going to go down the stand alone drum then into bio chamber (jbr). Drums I'm interested in are either a AEM or QK 22 . Also ditching the nexus but keep the k1. New pump as well as mine is the old aquamax 15000 looking at the Aqua forte vario 30,000.
    Obviously this has to be pump fed as there is no way I can install bd now. Question is Pump from pond then UV then into drum then into bio is that correct ?? would there be a massive reduction in flow through the 55w TMC ?.
    Pond 4000 galls.
    Thanks guys,
    John

  18. #13
    Cheers Andikoi, yep tried the jap mat also filter wool but still clarity not good summer months. Pond covered with pergola and shading.

  19. #14
    Senior Member Rank = Grand Champion andikoi's Avatar
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    i think your issues are all down to one thing,the macerator you have in the pond,your pump,all this is doing is literally liquidising everything it sucks in and making smaller so your nexus cant take it out as easy,is there no way you can fit a retro bottom drain,a lot cheaper than a drum,and to be honest i dont think a pump fed drum will solve your issues,andi

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  21. #15
    Hi andikoi.
    The retro bd is something I thought might work and as you say a lot cheaper. I inherited the pond when I bought the house and did look at trying to create a filter pit to house the nexus etc, and fit a bd, but we are on solid sandstone and I mean Solid. So stuck with the pump fed.Thanks for advice.

 

 

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