Rotating Drum Filters marketed for Koi ponds

[Cecil]

As I would like to set up a much larger system in a separate building in the future, I've found some rotary drum filters that produce exceptionally clean water (mechanical filtration) that are smaller scale and not as expensive as the larger commercial ones. Not only that , they are German engineered and appear to be of exceptional quality from the videos I've observed, and the feedback of those that have them on a Koi forum I frequent. I also like the fact that they can be gravity fed as in the use of airlifts and their electrical consumption is very low.

I was wondering what some of you thought of these. I'm providing a link to the dealer's website and a thread on a koi forum where they discuss them. I am in no way plugging them or have any financial reason to do so other than I think they may be an excellent option in some cases.

Let me know what you think. For hobbyists the prices probably appear high but for business applications for high value niche species such as myself I think the prices are justifiable. As I said earlier they are much lower in price than larger commercial ones.


http://www.bwkoi.com/Rotary-Drum-Filters-c-187.html

Link to thread on Koiphen.com

Good info starts on post 124 although there is a video at the
beginning and a couple more in the thread.

http://www.koiphen.com/forums/showth...ure-of-ponding

[Pugo]

Well, A drum filter is by far the best way to go, it is far better than a sieve. There is nothing really new about RDF they have been around for a while. They are standard equipment for aquaculture to the best of my knowledge. I was trying to justify a cetus sieve and that is half the cost of the RDF you are talking about everyone acted like I was breaking DIY code or something..LOL

I am sure it is worth the cost if you are heading into commercial venture. But again this is just how I see it..

[Cecil]

Well, A drum filter is by far the best way to go, it is far better than a sieve. There is nothing really new about RDF they have been around for a while. They are standard equipment for aquaculture to the best of my knowledge. I was trying to justify a cetus sieve and that is half the cost of the RDF you are talking about everyone acted like I was breaking DIY code or something..LOL

I am sure it is worth the cost if you are heading into commercial venture. But again this is just how I see it..

Yes, they are not new but before I saw these units I thought they were totally out of my price range. (I've been told they go up to $100,000 dollars on full scale commercial models.)These units aren't cheap but within my price range as you say for commercial purposes.

I have an offer to see one in operation next year used for a Koi pond. I can't wait to see it. I'm hoping to get one of these dealers to show up at one of our aquaculture conventions.

[ande]

Here is a French option http://www.faivre.fr/drum-filter/drum-filter.html# the 40 and 60 rotoclean line is a typical koi pond size RDF
There is a swedish alternativ as well but I can't fine the link.

cheers

got it http://www.hydrotech.se/solutions/drumfilters/

[ande]

Here a quote :
That's when I started to search for a different system. RFD's are used in commercial fish farming where they commonly have one pound of fish in a gallon of water. The 510 unit is really meant to be used in fish farming labs, that's why it is so small. When I bought it it was 30% cheaper then today. The dollar devaluated a lot over the years. Anyways it worked fantastic. Never had to clean a filter after that.

From this post http://www.koiphen.com/forums/showth...13#post1501813

[Cecil]

Ande,

Thanks for the links. Wow that was quite a system in that thread.

[kellenw]

RDF's are fantastic for solids removal. The only downside besides their cost is that many designs tend to waste a LOT of water.

[Cecil]

RDF's are fantastic for solids removal. The only downside besides their cost is that many designs tend to waste a LOT of water.

You're right but I don't think these three models do, but I could be wrong. I will find out.

With the coldwater system I want to build, most likely I will be wasting some water as I may have to run it as a partial RAS due to the need to keep temps down in the winter.

[ande]

And keep in mind the water is only wasted if not reused.
You can find many ways to use the flushing water out of the RAS.

A bit off topic have you seen this Cecil http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategor...eat-Exchangers
I know you collect or gather equipment ahead, so this might be the time to spend $ on a heat exchanger?
The volum gallon pr min make it nice in size for a separate pump loop (17–25 gpm) with a uv/uvc with the same gallonage (17–25 gpm)
with the right plumbing you can run both or separate by choise. I take it for granted that you are looking at all differente "needed" waterprocessing equipment on your future setup

cheers

[wey2go]

Talking about RDF and Sieve, it has crossed my mind that the Nexus from Evolution Aqua with "The Answer" is like a cross between a RDF and Sieve.

Sure, the Nexus/Answer does not remove solids from the column of water as quickly as the RDF but cost to implement something like The Answer is a lot cheaper and simpler than a RDF.

See: http://www.cascadekoi.com/Koi/EvolutionAquaAnswer.aspx