Drum filters - Myth or Magic?? (dont buy one before watching this video!!)

Are drum filters the pinnacle of koi pond filters? Or are they expensive liabilities? Learn everything you will ever need to know about drum filters including who invented them and when, how they actually work, what size particles they can remove, costs, flows, all the benefits and plus points, all the down sides and not so good points, and finally my conclusions and my advice as to whether I think you should have one or not.
This video is a must for anyone considering buy a drum filter or indeed, any koi pond filter.
Check out my website at www.dazzlekoi.com/
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[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks for watching and please dont hesitate to ask any questions in the comments below, Daz 👍🍺🍺👍

[@chrisgriffith5520]

I know this is off topic but do you know anything about fish tuberculosis? ( mycobacteria)

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Chris, I have to admit, I know absolutely nothing. I didn't even know that was a thing. I've not heard of it before. I'm going to look in to it though 👍

[@gerritdevos4707]

Thanks Dazzle. As a owner of two drum filters I can assure every viewer that the information in this video is spot on.

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks Gerrit, that's good to hear 🍺🍺👍🍺🍺

[@richardthurston92]

NICE VID HAD MY PRO LINE 50 COMBI 3 YEARS BEST THING EVER BOUGHT YES WAS EXPENSIVE BUT WELL WORTH IT HAD KOI FOR 40 YEARS LOVE IT LOVING YOUR VIDS

[@DazzleKoi]

Cheers Richard, i have to admit, there are very few people who have bought a drum and not been delighted with it.

[@MrSmithy63]

Great video , Its something Id possibly think about in the future to cut down on maintenance

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks mate 🍺🍻🍺

[@pete1708]

Top video. Worth mentioning being on a water meter, pro the drum uses minimal water compared to cleaning cycles on other filters.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Pete, that's a good point mate, if I where to ever build a pond at my Mums house that would definitely be something I would have to consider 👍👍

[@TelfordKoiPond]

Another super, informative and interesting video👏😊👍. I also agree with your conclusion, absolutely love mine😊👍

[@DazzleKoi]

Hello mate, and thank you 🍻🍻 I've followed your experiences, it seems to do a cracking job 👍👍

[@peterfinkill8098]

Another great explanation video Daz. I think that the only thing that you didn't mention is that a lot of drum filters use water from the clean side of the drum to spray the screen (through a pump of course). Therefore mains water is not used in this type of filter. HOWEVER the down side is that if a RDF gets stuck on the cleaning cycle, it can very quickly lower the water level on your pond (as I know to my experience). With this type of filter you also need to have a trickle in/out to keep the pond level topped up. Thanks again mate.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Peter, yes good points, I will add those comments to the description, cheers 🍺🍻🍻🍺

[@chazkoi]

Great video thanks Darren!

[@DazzleKoi]

Cheers mate, much appreciated 🍺🍻🍺

[@mykoiobsession]

A very informative and well though out video. I would love a drum filter for my pond however here in Canada suppliers who sell drum filters are almost non existent there by severely limiting choice and making the cost even more prohibitive than in the UK. For an Oase Proficlear Premium Compact-M Drum Filter which retails here for C$7,599.99 (£4, 4700) or a Burtons Drum Filter BD300 Cube Koi Pond Filter (shipped from the UK) retailing for C$4,400 (£2600). Less money but as you noted warranty issues would be a nightmare due to location from end user to retailer. Maybe one day we'll have more options available to us. We can only hope.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate, I feel your pain. As you say, getting one over there, while more expensive, its achievable, but if it has a problem you would be absolutely stranded. What is the state of the hobby in Canada? is it big, small? and is it growing? Hopefully more will come in the future 🤞 Daz

[@CescaTheDarkHorse]

Very informative review Daz enjoyed watching 👀 ⛩🐟⛩

[@DazzleKoi]

Thank you very much, I appreciate that 🍺👍👍🍺

[@jwmachon1]

I have the Draco medius, upgraded from the nexus 210 and within 24 hours I was shocked by how clear the water was, great footprint aswell

[@DazzleKoi]

Sounds good mate, sounds like money well spent 🍺👍👍🍺

[@JamieP.London]

3 years now since I changed to a filtrue drum and a separate large bio chamber, total game changer for me, I went from cleaning my filters weekly to never touching it, ive never even cleaned the screens, it’s been zero maintenance for me.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Jamie, that's interesting that you haven't cleaned the screen yet. Do you know what size screen is on it? Also, have you treated the pond with anything that could kill any biofilm or do you have a UV in the drum? Cheers, Daz 🍺🍻🍺

[@JamieP.London]

@@DazzleKoi amalgamUV in the drum Daz, I don’t know the screen size, only treatment I’ve put in is flukesolve.

[@richardiasparo5026]

I have a uv in my drum and i don't need to clean the screen

[@DazzleKoi]

I guess the UV may well be killing any biofilm growth then. Its interesting that drums with a built in UV inside the drum may not need the screen cleaning 🍺🍻🍻🍺

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Richard, sounds like that's a good little bonus then. Good to know 👍👍

[@michaeldyer1322]

good honest opinion thanks

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks mate 🍻🍻

[@Simonsimps]

The red label drums have nozzles in the waste chute that blast all/most of the waste away. I was looking at the happy and for the money it would be my 1st choice (for my size pond) Also Daz I don't know if you realize but your voice only comes out the left channel on your last 11 videos, the other sound effects etx come out of both channels. Great video thank you.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate, yes I forgot about red label. I hadn't heard about them until I saw them at the national show a few weeks ago. I noticed they where very competitively priced. Definitely worth considering. Yes, someone else has said the same. I've looked in to it and I think I know what the issue is now so my next video should be fixed 👍👍

[@shaunleonard8146]

Hi Daz, First class information and detail, best I've ever seen. Daz could you please do a video like this but on koi foods? Such as ingredients, animal proteins, chicken carcasses, blood meal,bonemeal, different type of grains, white fish meal and ratios , Proteins and grains.It's a massive mindfield choosing the best food. And take a Look a feeding systems. A very Big Thank you

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate, you are spot on, it is a minefield. Its a huge topic to and I'm not sure the information we need is even out there. Manufacturers dont seem to be regulated at all so they can pretty much put what they want in and they don't have to tell us what's in there. Another area I've been asked about is, what constitutes 'low protein'? Some wheatgerms have more protein than so called growth food. How much protein do they actually even need? I only feed wheatgerm all year round and my water is great and my fish grow just fine. Food for thought (no pun intended. I'll definitely add this to my list of videos though, thanks 🍻🍻🍺🍺🍻🍻

[@shaunleonard8146]

Thankyou Daz.

[@frankiepitt9135]

A drum filter will not restrict pump flow as the water does not flow direct through the mesh screen but flows into the filter tank first, and then makes its way through the screen, meaning there is no pressure build up.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi there, thanks for your comment, however, I have watched the whole video back and I can confirm that at no point did I say that a drum filter will restrict pump flow 👍

[@Mike_D_3]

You did actually just after the 8 minute mark.

[@DazzleKoi]

I wasn't talking about drum filters just after the 8 minute mark, I was talking about the issues with traditional mechanical filtration and then went on to explain why a drum is DIFFERENT to this because you can have the smaller holes without the back pressure or the blocking I quote, 'traditionally the dilemma with mechanical filtration is this, the bigger the holes in your sieve, screen, media, whatever it may be, the bigger the particles it will allow through BUT, the less it will reduce your flow so the less back pressure on your pump and the less quickly it will block up. Conversely, if you put very fine holes in there, your water will be clearer as you are taking out much finer particles but it will very quickly block up and it will put back pressure on your pump and restrict flow, so that is kind of the dilemma facing traditional mechanical filters'.

[@georgecromar4094]

Hi Darren, another great video. Thank you! Am I correct in thinking that you can get a build up of detritus in the clean and dirty water tanks within some RDFs?

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi George, you can, particularly if you don't have sufficient flow, but in theory you shouldn't if all is correct. Fortunately its very easy to see those areas and clean them out if you need to. Interestingly, when I did the poll on the channel, no drum owners mentioned that.

[@kevneedhamtube]

I think you've missed one point - if you enjoy hand ond maintenance of your filter, then a drum is also not for you. I know you clean your filter evrey day and I think I've read. your comments before that you enjoy it? So beware, having a drum means that you sometimes goa whole week or two without ever having to go into your filter house. Great for me, but not for those people for whom filter maintenance is an anjoyable daily routine. One of the reasons I swapped my Nexus for a drum was time spent away on holiday. If I went away on holiday for 2 weeks in the summer, I would have to get someone to come round and clean my Nexus at least twice, maybe three times otherwise it would have blocked and reduced flow. So having a drum filter means I now no longer have to worry about this. Yes the price is expensive, but worth every penny in my opinion. Great video as always, keep 'em coming.

[@DazzleKoi]

Very true mate, I do enjoy it. I find it weirdly satisfying 😁

[@carollycett1329]

Nice update wish they were cheaper hope you are well 🙏🐟🐟🐟🐟🙏

[@DazzleKoi]

Thank you Carol, I'm very good now, thanks, how are things with you?

[@carollycett1329]

@@DazzleKoi I’m doing ok still two treatments to have aug and nov then will have a scan to see if I’m clear 🙏🐟🐟🐟🙏

[@DazzleKoi]

Fingers crossed for you, I'll be sending as much positive energy your way as I can 🤞🤞

[@Smog104]

Thanks Daz 👍I’m running a bead and Momotaro Bakki shower one day I swap the bead for a drum

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate, that's a great combination in its own right that you have. I do think a drum/shower combo is as good as it gets at the moment though 👍👍

[@simongrundy6044]

if you swap your bead to a drum you will save approximately 75 -80 % on your electric costs if you run the correct variable flow pump

[@hippo5346]

I recently removed my drum filter and replaced it with a Nexus ... SAID NO-ONE , EVER ! Have a look at the Draco Solum range . I`ve been running one for 2 years and really happy with it . Currently retailing around £1450 , which is cheaper than a nexus 320 . Good back up and after sales care , too - which is important .You`ll need a seperate bio chamber , but needn`t cost the earth 👍

[@DazzleKoi]

That sounds like a great price, I haven't looked at Draco prices to be honest, I just assumed they where typical range but that sounds really cheap 👍👍👍

[@skeggy]

I actually know someone who took about a draco and went back to a nexus

[@bingo01bingo]

Hey Daz, great video. What do you think of the oase biotec screenmatic filters ?

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate, to be honest I have never seen one running so I'm not best placed to comment really. Oase are a huge company and generally turn out some good products so I would be surprised if they weren't a good filter. The principle seems sound but it is probably a question of how reliable they are as they seem to be quite complicated with a lot to go wrong. I'd love to test one but I couldn't justify the expense when my system is running perfectly as it is.

[@bingo01bingo]

Thank you so much for the detailed answer

[@brummiekoi]

Hi Daz great update just bought a combi what a massive difference just another level good to see you putting content out I do always use your videos as my go too information top notch hope your well mate just tried to find the koi kichi group but couldn't find can you pls send link very best regards Tony. 🙏👍👌

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate, try this link. Let me know if it works and I will add it to the description below the video 👍👍👍

[@brummiekoi]

No link in message Daz

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi hi, not sure what has happened there then, I'm sure I put it in. Maybe youtube doesn't allow external links to facebook. I'll try again but if this doesn't work try the one I've added to the description below the video facebook.com/groups/1147415202624144

[@brummiekoi]

@DazzleKoi perfect Daz thanks for the access to the group best regards Tony 🙏👍👌the link works perfectly well 👏🙏

[@DazzleKoi]

No problem mate, you're very welcome. Its looking like I didn't put it in then, I'm getting old 😒

[@anthonyjackson4034]

Great video again Darren. What's your view on Burton drums? Thanks

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Anthony, I have no experience myself directly but I have not heard anything negative about them and I have certainly come across several people who really rate them highly. They would certainly be on my shortlist if I where researching a purchase. The one that stood out most favourably in the polls I did, and I didn't mention this in the video for fear of looking biased or suggesting favouritism, are the Queni koi drums. I don't know who makes them for them but they get a lot of positive comments from drum owners who subscribe to the channel.

[@anthonyjackson4034]

Thanks Darren for the prompt reply. Meant to say you and your koi are looking good. Loved the way your fish rush to the surface, thinking they are going to be fed, when you move your arms in the video.

[@DazzleKoi]

haha, I know mate, I always feel really bad when they do that. I feel like I'm letting them down 😁😁

[@EvanKampen_]

Hey, love your videos. Just built a new pond and im considering lighting.. Do you recommend underwater lights for koi or does it bother them?

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi hi, I must admit I've never had lights in a pond. This will probably sound strange but I'm not a fan of ponds particularly. I love koi and a pond is necessary to house them but I don't really spend any effort or money on making the pond attractive. Its a kind of necessary evil for me. What I have done in the past though is to fit an LED floodlight (cool white light) directly over the centre of the pond on the pergola, shining straight down in to the water. This gives a brilliant view of your koi, particularly at night, and if you get it right they look like they are floating in thin air. This never bothered my koi at all, they didn't even acknowledge it when I switched it on 👍👍👍

[@EvanKampen_]

@@DazzleKoi Hey, thanks for the reply. I think I'm going to do something similar and just have lights above the pond shining down on the fish. Hope you have a wonderful day :)

[@Crazyforkoiandgoldfish]

Hello 👋 You say in one of your videos When you flash your filters You have a system it filled automatically your pond Could you please do a video explain how you done it Thank you for your videos help a lot 😎👌

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi there, I use a simple constant trickle in of tap water which is set to around 70% of pond volume per week. I add this just downstream of my filter, on the pumped return. I then have a overflow to waste fitted in my pods waste out line. So I flush the filters every evening and by the morning it has topped back up. I think I've got an old video on this somewhere, I think its this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWXaint_rrt-opI

[@Crazyforkoiandgoldfish]

Thank you Now I have better idea 😎👌

[@mirola73]

My nexus 220 was only 400 quid delivered to the house, nothing can ever break in it, a doddle to clean every day, less than 5 min. The only thing is going away for longer periods of time is when I absolutely agree a drum filter is THE solution. Apart from that I'm just not willing to shed such an amount of cash, too many other things that are more important.

[@DazzleKoi]

Can't argue with that mate, everything comes down to money and our individual priorities. If it aint broke, dont fix it.

[@graemejohnson2388]

How’s the media doing in your shower ? I bought 6 boxes with the offer u got us 👍

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Graeme, so far so good mate. I haven't cleaned it or touched the shower at all since I switched it on. I've had no nitrate reading at all with it running. Fish are happy and healthy and growing well. Its done everything I hoped up to now, no complaints from me 👍👍👍👍

[@lewisyabsley6810]

Hi Darren im going to purchase a digital nitrite water tester as i cant stand deciding what colour it is on the dropper test kits. Do you think it will be more beneficial to have one that reads ppm or ppb? Please let me know your thoughts. Lewis

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Lewis, probably ppm but you can convert it either way so both will work. I've never been a big fan of the digital meters as they rely totally on being calibrated correctly and you have to do it constantly. Its a lot of hassle and you could still get a dodgy reading straight after calibration. The test strips are much more reliable and consistent. I use the Colombo Pro kit and dont have any trouble with the colour. Its really not that important to be mega accurate to be honest. If its 0.25 or below its fine. If it gets up to 0.5 or above you want to think about dropping it.

[@lewisyabsley6810]

@@DazzleKoi Thanks for the advice Dazzle 👍

[@stewartrood3633]

I am now much more knowledgeable thankyou.

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks mate, much appreciated 🍺🍺

[@dancrawford2690]

Have you thought about making one, i too can't afford to buy one so im making one using wrighty's plans

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate, I have but my circumstances at the moment mean its not really worth it. I wouldn't rule it out in the future though. I know a gentleman that has made his own pump fed drum which works really well. I've told him he should sell the plans 😁

[@grantanthony1]

Hi mate is there something wrong with the audio? Can see you but not hear you?

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate, I'm baffled as to why this is the case. I have only uploaded a single video file with audio and video so I dont know how you can get one without the other. I've not had anyone else say the same. I'll look in to it though, leave it with me 👍👍👍

[@grantanthony1]

Through KZbin on sky q box, no audio. Through my tablet plays perfectly. No idea why this happened. Great video though, planning my own pond upgrade, to add a drum or not. Like you said price is a factor. I'm trying to justify it as the cost of my time per hour cleaning a traditional filter = the initial cost of a drum then time saved. Another plus for certain drums is an integrated amalgam uv. Mounted under drum kills biofilm on drum and less pipework (flow restriction and space.)

[@DazzleKoi]

Very strange indeed, I've not managed to find any explanation either to be honest. That's a great point about your time. I should have mentioned that as I'm a big believer in knowing the value of our own time. As a property business owner my daily rate is £200 and I think if I'm charging people that then my time is worth at least that much and more to myself. When you think about it like that a drum would very quickly pay for itself in my own time alone.

[@richardiasparo5026]

Good overview. Do you have a video that breaks down a moving bed vs a shower to see which one is a better option at biological filtration?

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Richard, I don't but I will certainly add it to my list of future videos, thank you 👍👍👍

[@richardiasparo5026]

Ok and maybe a microscope review. Like lcd screen built in vs a camera vs cell phone holder

[@DazzleKoi]

Will do. I did review the apex practitioner which is the scope I would recommend. That has an add on camera so you can put the output on a screen. I'll see what I can do 👍👍

[@sroRAGE]

No way if a nexus 320 is 1600 you can get a drum for 1k and a moving bed and you will still be better off than cleaning a nexus look at filtreau or aqua forte drums even a second hand drum would be better than a nexus so the 3k plus equivalent to 2 nexuses is over exaggerated estimate

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate, my numbers are facts, not over exaggerated or estimates. Here's a link to the aqua forte that you stated above, this is the equivalent to a nexus 320. This doesn't include bio media by the way. www.cotswoldkoi.co.uk/product/aquaforte-prime-combi-drum-filter/ and here is a link to a nexus 320 www.cotswoldkoi.co.uk/product/nexus-320-filter/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw_O2lBhCFARIsAB0E8B943OqJILt-ebsdbWh2f7QSiq2pUuGoDgFT0laSmRrTpJAJ8PshTMAaAmfbEALw_wcB If you want to include second hand drums then of course we should included second hand nexus as well and the difference is even bigger then.

[@owlyboy6059]

Audio is bad. Cant hear you

[@DazzleKoi]

Not sure whats wrong there mate. I assume its something on your end though as nobody else has had an issue. I'm no techie but you may be missing a particular codec. Might be worth trying updating your audio drivers.

[@topklassphotography]

good video except for the sound effects

[@DazzleKoi]

How very rude !!! 😁😁 What's wrong with my sound effects??

[@topklassphotography]

@@DazzleKoi Distracting Daz and loud with headphones on

[@DazzleKoi]

ahh ok, I didn't consider someone watching with headphones, I always turn them up really loud too 😮😮 Weirdly, when I edited the video I thought my phone notification went off a couple of times (it never stops to be honest) but when I've just watched this video back I realised there are two that are actually on the video 😒

[@Josh-mh3kl]

Drum filters are only beneficial when working in conjunction with a contoured pond bottom with a bottom drain. If you're using a drum filter with a flat pond bottom or no bottom drain, it defeats the purpose of the drum. So I don't recommend spending the money on a drum when the waste is settling on the pond bottom. A pond with a bead filter, contoured bottom, and a drain will do a better job filtering the pond, not to mention that a mature bead filter can be backwashed everyday.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate, I'm sorry but a bead filter wont do a better job than a drum. I've run plenty beads in my time and they are good, but they are not even close to drum quality for mechanical filtration. They are also susceptible to bacterial issues if you dont flush them every day so are labour intensive. You dont need to backwash a drum, it does it itself, constantly. I also disagree with how much emphasis you place on contouring a pond bottom. I modelled this many years ago in fluid dynamics mathematical model software. Whilst there is a miniscule improvement in performance from a sloped bottom, this is completely negated by the reduction in reach of the drain pull. If you imagine the pull is a flow and it is basically moving out across the bottom. With a flat bottom it moves unhindered and reaches its maximum distance dictated by the flow down your drain. With a sloped bottom the pull moves out but 'hits' the slope and has to change direction. This damps the pull down and as a result it doesn't reach as far across the bottom. Since I studied this I have built every pond bottom flat and had better results than when I would bench them. On top of this, if you imagine the pond bottom is your carpeted floor at home (algae is similar consistency) and you drop a piece of sweetcorn on there, if the carpet is very slightly sloped it isn't going to make much if any difference to how easy it is to push that sweetcorn along.