Many koi hobbyists may look for koi pond filters at some time, whether it is for a new build, an upgrade to an existing pond system, or out of curiosity. The Rotary Drum Filter, often known as Drum Filter, will be a popular search and debate topic.
The pond drum filter is often regarded as the apex of koi pond filters, and for good reason. However, if you don’t grasp the design characteristics and operation, you may be unclear whether a drum filter is ideal for you or what type you need.
Why drum filter is needed?
The drum filter is generally used for:
- Filtering water
- Remove suspended particles, including excrement and colloids, from fish ponds.
Colloidal particles and other SS are held by the filtering mesh since they cannot pass through and will simply sediment. These play an important function in the filter and enable for the removal of TSS through rinsing in the drainage gutter.
Benefits of a Drum Filter
1. Automatic Cleaning
Drum filters will appeal to the majority of koi keepers because they clean themselves automatically. Automatic pond filter cleaning improves the koi’s environment and gives the hobbyist more time to enjoy the best aspects of koi ownership.
If cleaning filters is a hassle, the drum filter eliminates 90% of pond care. Drum filters, however, require regular maintenance!
2. High Flow Rates
For those koi owners looking to accelerate their growth rates, a high flow rate through the filters can help. Moving more pollutants to the filter system improves water quality, which increases the koi’s appetite.
The increased flow rate also improves clarity. If the koi generate solid waste faster than you can deliver it to the filters, you will notice small particles floating in the pond.
3. Multiple Inlets
Most drum filters have several inlets to accommodate their high flow rates and automatic cleaning. This is especially useful in larger ponds, where additional bottom drains are required to provide enough pond bottom clearance and increase pond turn over.
On smaller ponds, numerous inlets allow you to properly filter a bottom drain feed and a skimmer without using multiple filter systems. Bottom drains and skimmers should never be connected before the filter because they limit flow and can cause waste to accumulate in the low-flowing line.
4. Compact
A drum filter is extremely compact for its capacity. For example, a drum filter capable of handling 35,000 litres per hour is just slightly larger than a black box filter capable of 5000 litres per hour, but surpassing most filters twice its size.
5. Improved Clarity
Through its high flow rate, the filter intake receives greater water and debris volumes, while the multiple inlet flexibility lets you obtain water from multiple parts of the pond. A skimmer combined with bottom drains enables complete waste collection from your pond’s top and bottom areas.
Conclusion
Drum filters work as highly efficient autonomous systems which produce clear water while minimising maintenance needs and supporting koi health. The compact design and multiple inlets, together with a high flow rate, make this equipment perfect for koi pond owners.