How to choose a pond drum filter?

How do I choose a drum filter for my pond? For the survival of your plants and animals, you must ensure clean and healthy water. Several technologies are now available on the market to help you purify your water and among them, the famous drum filter.

The drum filter: what is it?

It is a powerful filtering device that removes all dirt from the water and which, at the same time, improves its quality. It is suitable for any type of pond but more particularly for koi ponds.

However, with the multitude of models on the market, it can be quite difficult to find the best one. To help you avoid the pitfalls of many manufacturers and retailers, we'll help you choose your filter based on certain factors.

How does the drum filter work?

The drum filter consists of a pipe that serves as a passage for the water in the pond or basin. This water will be completely freed from all kinds of organic matter. It should be remembered that it is the mesh of the drum which determines the fineness of the filtration.

A motor of the machine will then be started after the clogging of the drum in order to promote the cleaning of the mesh at the top. The drum cylinder has a small tray that will collect the waste and then eject it. After mechanical water filtration, biological filtration takes over.

Which drum filter to choose?

There are several elements that go into choosing a drum filter.

The type of filtration

Generally, these devices are designed for gravity operation since they were originally designed for use in a Koi pond.

But in reality, most ponds continue to use the pumping system. At this level, it will then be necessary to choose between a filter particularly adapted to pumping or a filter compatible with both modes. However, not all of these filter models work well in pumping mode.

Make sure that the filter you choose is sold with an efficient UP Flow for perfect evacuation and an effective control system to signal any anomaly.

If you choose a gravity drum filter, make sure that it is delivered to you with a “lack of water” safety device which can stop the supply of the filter and the pump at the appropriate time. Also, it should be remembered that a good filter operating in gravity or pumping mode without adequate additional devices, will never be adapted to your pool.

Filter dimensions

This parameter is the determining factor of the effectiveness of the filter in the treatment of the residues of your pond or pond. A large filter will not flush at a particular rate. Manufacturers and dealers can easily fool you, so you won't just have to buy a filter that has the flow rate you expect.

The filter is efficient when it manages to perform a rinsing between 3 and 4 times, at most every hour during the summer, and less during the autumn and during the spring. The filter chosen must be capable of regularly rinsing at least once a day, during the winter period. Moreover, these are calculations that remain variable. It is especially the size of the drum which deserves to be considered at this level.

Innovations continue to abound in this sector but manufacturers are still struggling to meet the needs of all aquarists since each water point is unique. To make an excellent choice, you must first collect all the data relating to your pool. This will allow you to find the most suitable model.

The sieve membrane

For standard measurements, we generally find sieve membranes that measure 70 microns. But at the same time, some manufacturers offer membranes of fifty microns, the maximum membrane size for a water point, even if it is possible to go above for specific cases.

It is also possible to find filters designed with 80 or 100 micron fabrics. Although this is not considered the normal measurement, it is still suitable for some devices. The important thing is that the membranes of a filter should not be modified in order to obtain the average, because it will remain ineffective.

A membrane will become ineffective at some point. But when you provide it with adequate and regular maintenance, it can benefit from a long life of up to 10 years.

Manufacturing materials

The drum filter is made of several materials. We generally find in its composition, synthetic materials like polypropylene, stainless steel and polyethylene. Internally, a few components may also be POM, ABS or PVC.

It is not difficult to find filters designed only in polypropylene, filters entirely in steel or filters in polypropylene but using stainless steel internal materials.

The technology made of synthetic material has a good lifespan, which is not necessarily the same with stainless steel, which remains less solid and more efficient.

You will then choose according to your needs, and especially your budget, since the stainless steel model remains less expensive than prototypes in pp. Also, PP filters have less impact on the environment.

The type of filter

The manufacturers have thought of mechanical drum filters but which also contain a biological mechanism. This has both advantages and disadvantages.

Regarding the positive points of this technology, you benefit from a reduction in floor space and will no longer have to worry about the drum connection. With this model of drum filter, space is provided for one or a multitude of immersion UVs.

As for the negative points, the biological volume is often too small. But it can be effective if you make sure you stick to the normal amount of stocking. Stocking should normally not exceed 1 adult koi per two to three cubic meters.

The flushing pump

The pump available inside the drum filter is usually a submerged model. The advantage of this system is that the pump internally will not freeze up or emit unwanted noise.

External pumps can also be effective provided they promote good pressure. Their main disadvantage is that they are not insensitive to the cold, so they become useless in winter. They also emit quite loud sounds.

The sound

In summer, the filter must rinse every 20 minutes in summer. So, if it is quite noisy, it may disturb you and be problematic for your neighborhood. At this level, we recognize a good submerged and anti-noise filter, when it emits noise at a level varying from 50 dB to 55 dB.

On the other hand, an external suppressor can achieve, approximately, a noise level of around 70 dB. But if you choose a filter with an external suppressor, make sure it's a popular brand.

The control system

The control system is important in the operation of the drum filter. The controller operates the motor; next, the flushing pump and finally, all the other mechanisms at the appropriate time.

It also has a water shortage safety device as well as an open lid detection device. Currently, serial or optional controllers are sold by manufacturers. But the base controller still remains in series.

The filter drive system

The drum filter uses a motor for its drive. The ideal in this case is to favor an efficient and powerful geared motor in direct drive. With excellent filters, it will age well.