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  1. #1
    Member Rank = Sansai Ollykoi's Avatar
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    Let’s talk drums.....

    So I’ve decided after 3 months of owning a new pond that I’m already planning a big overhaul next year, a proper walk in filter house and getting rid of the nexus 220, eazy pod on skimmer line, want to go drum, bio chamber, skimmer to run to drum and then return over a shower,

    so drums let’s here what everyone thinks of there’s and what make/model etc,
    my pond size is 2500gal with a 4” bottom drain... there’s potential of 3 returns

    I’m thinking of going for a draco solum 16 or the 25


    Last edited by Ollykoi; 25-10-2020 at 09:05 PM.

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  3. #2
    Senior Member Rank = Jussai Djstiles999's Avatar
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    Depends partly on budget I think but a number of members have the Draco on top of the Nexus and it seems a popular option?

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  5. #3
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Gazkoi's Avatar
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    Hi Olly,

    If budget permits, I would opt for an Oase Premium Proficlear (which is what I run and it has not missed a beat). Additionally Oase have good parts availability and UK based Engineers. Oase have also brought out a large combi version which is also exceptional IMHO.

    If a lower priced brand is more within budget, i would suggest a Filtreau Combi Next. Decent build, good bio, integrated cleaning pump and UV. I’ve sold a good number of these this year and all customers are very happy with the quality and performance - all for less than £2k delivered (Filtreau not Oase).

    Happy to help when the time is right for you mate if interested.

    Cheers

    Gaz
    Hobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.

    Always happy to help!!

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  7. #4
    Member Rank = Sansai Ollykoi's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Djstiles999 View Post
    Depends partly on budget I think but a number of members have the Draco on top of the Nexus and it seems a popular option?
    i can’t see the point in a drop in if I’m honest, there similar price to a stand alone unit, yes you do have to have a stand alone bio unit but surely stand alone is better?

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  9. #5
    Senior Member Rank = Jussai Djstiles999's Avatar
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    About budget and space, and bio needs. I actually run Filtreau drums with large separate bio boxes, I reckon I could squeeze 700 litres of K1 into each box. A combi wouldn’t work for me but they are a near solution

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  11. #6
    Senior Member Rank = Jussai Djstiles999's Avatar
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    And a good combi on sale here today?

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  13. #7
    Moderator Rank = Supreme Champion Feline's Avatar
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    Are you in the market for the best quality drums in the market, or more budget end?

    I wanted a direct drive gearbox, well designed waste chute with brushes in the drum to keep it clear, a clean side pressure pump to feed the jets, and a large well designed bio section that doesn’t allow water to track. The Aqua Combi from Coastal was the only combi on the market that ticked all those boxes for me when I installed it 4 years ago and have not regretted that choice at all. If I was shopping for drums/combis now I would also consider the Evolve offerings.

    I would personally not buy any drum that cannot have a submersible UV fitted, so that ruled out the Oase ones for me.

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  15. #8
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Twhitenosugar's Avatar
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    If looking at Dracos, I'd only consider the solum 25.

    I have the Solum 16 on a 13k litre pond and my only regret was i didnt go for the solum 25. My one is operating very much at the limit of what it can handle flow wise. In the summer it was going off every 6 minutes or even more frequently at times, so clearly couldn't handle the muck going through it very well.

    Apart from that, I'm happy with it.

    If I were in the market now i'd consider the filtreau and the ones queni koi do too. Just based on what I've read from other people using them.



    Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk
    13,000L fibreglassed raised pond with window

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  17. #9
    Member Rank = Sansai Ollykoi's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Feline View Post
    Are you in the market for the best quality drums in the market, or more budget end?

    I wanted a direct drive gearbox, well designed waste chute with brushes in the drum to keep it clear, a clean side pressure pump to feed the jets, and a large well designed bio section that doesn’t allow water to track. The Aqua Combi from Coastal was the only combi on the market that ticked all those boxes for me when I installed it 4 years ago and have not regretted that choice at all. If I was shopping for drums/combis now I would also consider the Evolve offerings.

    I would personally not buy any drum that cannot have a submersible UV fitted, so that ruled out the Oase ones for me.
    Price wise somewhere in the middle, do like the draco 25 tho

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  19. #10
    Member Rank = Sansai Ollykoi's Avatar
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    Twhitenosugar any faults since you’ve owned it? And how much did you pay? I’d prob go for the 25 tbh

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  21. #11
    Senior Member Rank = Kyusai Koiz's Avatar
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    For quality and ease of maintenance, I'd recommend Oase ProfiClear too.

    This year I changed my Nexus 220 with Draco Drum Drop-In for a ProfiClear compact M. I wanted a system that had a smaller footprint, was easier to manage, a drum with removable screens or bypass facility and less pipework to improve flow. Here are some links to my posts regarding the decision and how it all went:

    https://www.koiforum.uk/pond-construction-pond-build-diaries/24616-uvc-nexus-220-a.html#post340265

    https://www.koiforum.uk/water-treatment-protein-skimmers-filtration/24876-ki-media-look-5.html#post339585

    https://www.koiforum.uk/water-treatment-protein-skimmers-filtration/24876-ki-media-look-5.html#post345228


    Hope something there is helpful
    11,440L Raised Pond, BD, Oase ProfiClear, Bitron 55W, 2x10k Aquaforte Varios, Skimmer to Waterblade

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  23. #12
    Member Rank = Sansai Ollykoi's Avatar
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    Thanks very much il look through thst

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  25. #13
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Twhitenosugar's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ollykoi View Post
    Twhitenosugar any faults since you’ve owned it? And how much did you pay? I’d prob go for the 25 tbh
    No faults so far. Been running a year now.

    The only negative thing I can say about it, is I have to set the float switch really low down on it to prevent it cleaning too much.

    But I suspect that's because it's operating near it's limit, flow wise.

    If you go for the 25, you could probably install a 40watt amalgam on the clean side too. Although worth checking the dimensions first.

    I have an amalgam that sits diagonally in the dirty side. Not the most professional installation, but it does the job.

    I checked with draco to see if it's ok to install an amalgam. They said the plastic it's made out of is fine, but said the silicon seal around the drum will perish if constantly exposed to the UV. Fyi.



    Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk
    13,000L fibreglassed raised pond with window

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  27. #14
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    Hi Olly,
    I have been running a Draco solum 25 for 2.5yrs on my 3000 gal pond only had one problem with the float switch packing up so made a new one and have a spare.
    One bottom drain and skimmer both 4ins to the drum,one exit to home made bio with k1 to pump to pond return.
    Other drum exit to variable pump to indoor shower to pond 4 ins return.

    In winter it runs on one variable pump drawing from the bio over the shower to return,I have it all valved so easy to change.
    The 25 is fine and only had the one snag with it,not saying it's the best as I dont know others but I would buy one again and no regrets.
    John

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  29. #15
    Member Rank = Sansai Ollykoi's Avatar
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    John this is pretty much the set up I’m going for!!

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  31. #16
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    Not saying it's the best out there Olly but it suites me,doesn't come with a cleaning pressure pump so its plumbed into mains water easy to do,and I turned the pressure down as I am tight.

    If you want to know more Olly just ask.
    John

  32. #17
    Quote Originally Posted by Gazkoi View Post
    Hi Olly,

    If budget permits, I would opt for an Oase Premium Proficlear (which is what I run and it has not missed a beat). Additionally Oase have good parts availability and UK based Engineers. Oase have also brought out a large combi version which is also exceptional IMHO.

    If a lower priced brand is more within budget, i would suggest a Filtreau Combi Next. Decent build, good bio, integrated cleaning pump and UV. I’ve sold a good number of these this year and all customers are very happy with the quality and performance - all for less than £2k delivered (Filtreau not Oase).

    Happy to help when the time is right for you mate if interested.

    Cheers

    Gaz

    I bought one of these drums second hand(OASE premium, can handle 35,000 lph) and installed it few months ago on my 4300 g pond. 4” pipe work from BD and 4” pipe work from skimmer, both go to inlets on the drum.
    I pull approx 28,000 lph Through drum
    20,000 goes directly over shower, then the 8000 pumps from bio chamber back to pond

    its absolutely crystal clear, spotless. Wish I’d done it years ago

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