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  1. #1
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Sansai ^Dylan's Avatar
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    Drum install options

    Hi all, I really want to buy a drum filter, possibly a Draco Minima, but I am somewhat limited for space.

    As you can see from the pictures I am currently filtering a 1200 gallon pond with minimal stocking, 6 x 15 cm fish, via an Eazy Pod and a homemade moving bed (50 litres of K1), which then goes through a Superfish Pond Eco RC 15000 (throttled down to 8300 lph), 36w UV and back to the pond over a three tier shower filled with Sakura infra red ceramic media.

    The drum is wanted just for ease of maintenance as the Pod requires regular cleaning.

    I only have one BD, 110mm, which goes directly into the Pod.

    Looking at the Draco Minima I can't figure out how I'd plumb it all in!

    Anybody got any ideas or suggestions as to how I'd fit a Minima (or any other standalone drum) into my somewhat small space?

    eazy.jpgfile1.jpg



  2. #2
    Senior Member Rank = Grand Champion andikoi's Avatar
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    Drum would replace pod.sell pod simples

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  4. #3
    Senior Member Rank = Grand Champion RoyLittle0's Avatar
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    I second that, get rid of the pod and put the drum in its place, you wont regret it, I wouldn't go back to a standard filter
    4600 Gallon Concrete Block and Fiberglass
    2100 mm x 710 mm Infinity Window 32mm thick glass
    2 x Aerated Bottom Drains and Skimmer
    Filtreau HiFlow 30 Drum Filter
    Bio Chamber - 140 litres K1
    Bakki Shower - 30 KG Sakura Far Infrared Media
    2 x 18,000 lh pumps
    Heated from house boiler through a heat exchanger
    Idealseal MS290

    My Pond Build

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  6. #4
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Sansai ^Dylan's Avatar
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    Aye, thats the plan but I was more concerned about the actual siting of the drum. I understand the Minima has one 90mm inlet and waste on the one side and the 90mm outlet is at the rear of the unit. I suppose I could install it the opposite way round from this attached picture ... that way I could keep my return in the same orientation as it is and still make use of my moving bed.

    minima-sizes-side.jpg

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  8. #5
    Senior Member Rank = Grand Champion andikoi's Avatar
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    If you get in touch with tony at draco and tell him about your siting issues he may be able to change things for you.hes very helpful.andi

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  10. #6
    The minima is a combi I think?
    While having the extra bio on a combi is useful, the dimensions do make it a bit awkward in your set up. Would it not be better for you to just get a stand-alone drum?

    btw, I replaced my easypod with a drum a year ago - I don’t miss the cleaning at all!

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  12. #7
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Sansai ^Dylan's Avatar
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    Yup, combi unit with 40 litres capacity so it would directly (well, an extra 10 litres) replace the Pod in terms of its bio capabilities. I could make the minima work with some additional pipework I guess.

    What drum did you go for Toffee?

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  14. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by ^Dylan View Post
    Yup, combi unit with 40 litres capacity so it would directly (well, an extra 10 litres) replace the Pod in terms of its bio capabilities. I could make the minima work with some additional pipework I guess.

    What drum did you go for Toffee?
    I have an aem easy drum.
    It was the only drum unit available with a sub-1000 price tag last year.

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  16. #9
    Senior Member Rank = Grand Champion andikoi's Avatar
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    [QUOTE=^Dylan;268653]Yup, combi unit with 40 litres capacity so it would directly (well, an extra 10 litres) replace the Pod in terms of its bio capabilities. I could make the minima work with some additional pipework I guess.
    the pod really has no bio section,its just the easy section from a nexus,whereas the minima is a dracodrum with a seperate 40ltr bio section,have a word with tony at draco,andi

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  18. #10
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    Hi Dylan,
    Agree with all above,i have seen the minima at Tonys and it is small but it would fit ok in yours,i have the solum 25 on 3000 gals and works great plumbed into the mains water,on the exit you could go to your own media tank,though i cant see where the flow rate is for Minima.
    John

  19. #11
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Sansai ^Dylan's Avatar
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    it's rated to 10000 lph but I run mine at 8300 without taking into account head loss etc so I think i`ll be fine flow rate wise

    Thanks for all input so far

    Dave

  20. #12
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Sansai ^Dylan's Avatar
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    Draco Minima ordered

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  22. #13
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Sansai ^Dylan's Avatar
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    Had a phone call from Tony at Draco advising me that the Minima would be too small for my setup and he's recommended the Solum instead. Thats great customer service seeing as though I'd already ordered and paid for the drum with Paul at A19koi. Much rather lose a sale than have me with an inadequate product.

    10 out of 10

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  24. #14
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    He is ok Tony,i went for the intention of buying the 16 and anded up with the 25 as he said it would be too small and how wright he was,i am just coping with the 25 on a 3000 gal pond,so happy days Dylan may cost a bit more but it will work better.
    Was it the 16 he said to get?
    John

  25. #15
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Sansai ^Dylan's Avatar
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    yup John, I'm going with the 16 which will be more than adequate for my little puddle

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  27. #16
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    Good choice Dylan.
    John

  28. #17
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Sansai ^Dylan's Avatar
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    My drum should be here Wednesday.

    I currently have an overflow in the Eazy Pod which goes straight to the drain and I keep a constant trickle into the pond via a three stage filter.

    I'd really love to keep the trickle in but I'm wondering how this will be achieved with the drum.

    Could I have an overflow fitted into my moving bed which would go straight to the drain?

    I don't have a skimmer built into the pond as that would have been ideal.

    Anyone got any thoughts?

    The drum wash is going to be connected directly to my hose.

  29. #18
    good for tony, good advice, I started reading this thread and having seen the minima at the bkks show its really small, I was about to say its nowhere near big enough for a pond, it might manage a small grow on but thats it.

  30. #19
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Nanasai blue harbour's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by john1 View Post
    He is ok Tony,i went for the intention of buying the 16 and anded up with the 25 as he said it would be too small and how wright he was,i am just coping with the 25 on a 3000 gal pond,so happy days Dylan may cost a bit more but it will work better.
    Was it the 16 he said to get?
    When you say “just coping” with the solum 25, what do you mean!??

    Only reason I ask is that I’m looking at upgrading my filtration soon and was also looking at the solum 25 myself (I have just shy of 3000gal), I want to put my bd and skimmer through the same drum, so I find it interesting when you say the above, does this mean you could really do with having gone for a larger size drum realistically??, say a 35??


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  31. #20
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Sansai ^Dylan's Avatar
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    Well the Solum arrived at 15:30 and I've just finished the install. Float switch set and I've tested it to make sure it works

    Nice little bonus is my mains water is powerful enough for the water pump so I don't need to order a pressure pump. Few little things to finish tomorrow/over the weekend such as fitting an overflow into the dirty side as the waste chute is slightly too high to act as one but a 3/4" 90 degree elbow will suffice as it did with the Pod. I also need to finish solvent welding the waste pipe and plumb it into the drain.

    All in all a happy camper.

    Thanks for all the advice guys.

    Dave

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