The only problem with the white ones is that they are less U.V. resistant and become brittle more quickly, but if they are going to be concealed it shouldn't be a problem. I don't know why you couldn't set one up as a pressurized filter so long as the pressure isn't too high. Just remember that pressurized filters add head which reduces pump volume. Also, if you make one that is pressurized you need to design a very efficient way to backflush it for cleaning without having to take it apart.
I looked at some 180 gal. stock tanks. I think they would be good for a settlement chamber. Would I need to make some kind of cover for it? How would I make a drain for it's big flat bottom? Has anyone ever made a stock tank into a vortex?
Try obtaining shower drains from the local plumbing store for the bottom drainage. You'll find that a drill and a hole saw will make easy work of cutting a nice hole through the container. Pick up some plumber's thread and additional sealant for piece of mind when sealing the drains up :)
A friend has just given me three white plastic 45 gallon drums. They have been filled with malt for making beer so I'm sure they're safe for the koi. The top of the drum has two openings aprox. 3" with screw on caps , but the entire lid does not come off. Is there some way to use them?
Just cut the lid off and run the pipe in at bottom side, outside in and place a crate or something to give you some pace between the bottom and the filter material and then a few inches from the top put you a outlet pipe of a large size and the water will not overflow. It wont look bad if you place a piece of large flat rock over the top of the barrel when finished, also bury it in the ground or fill in around the sides with dirt as to cover the barrel and plant some nice plant around the sides of the filteration system. There are some pretty ground covers that will make it look very good, you can also place some big rocks around in the dirt and let plants grow around the rocks making to look kind of like a rock garden. Judy
Because of the way they are made they don't bow easily. It will be extra strong at the rim if you cut from the flat part on top instead of the side if you are still concerned though. If I was you I'd turn it upside down, cut out the bottom, and use the 2" threaded hole for a bottom drain. The threads are the same as 2" pipe and you can do it easier that way. Take a look at Koi38's drum filter design and you'll get the idea of how best to set it up.
Thanks again. Turning the drum upside down is a great idea.
Is nobody concerned about not having a lid? I thought a well fitting lid the wind could not blow off would be very important. I think a flat rock big enough to cover the opening would be quite heavy.
Thanks again. Turning the drum upside down is a great idea.
Is nobody concerned about not having a lid? I thought a well fitting lid the wind could not blow off would be very important. I think a flat rock big enough to cover the opening would be quite heavy.
Structural Engineering is a beautiful thing. Round things like to stay round and the weight of the water inside only adds strength and stability to it. If you tried it with a square or rectangular tub it would bow out trying to make itself.......round! There are several members here with multiple settlement and vortex drum filters with open tops that have been running for years. If you want to cover it just for aesthetics sake marine plywood could be cut to fit easily or you could just top them off with some floating plants like hyacinth which add filtration, eat nitrates, multiply like mad, and make lots of nice flowers when the weather is warm. Using a rock works too as long as you use the right kind. Many sandstones are actually pretty lightweight.
Another good idea, thank you. What temperature does it need to be outside in the spring before the plants are added? What do you do with them over the winter, toss them and buy new plants every year?
You need to wait until chance of frost is well past before putting them out as they are very frost sensitive. We brought a few in when frosts approached this fall and they are floating in the top of our little q-tank with some of our fingerlings from last springs spawn. Most folks just replace them every spring as they are fairly cheap and you only have to buy a few. Once they start growing they multiply like mad.
You're getting ambitios! They don't have to be gravity feed to the pond, but if you don't gravity feed you'll need a pump at the bottom of one to lift the water back to the pond. It really boils down to your landscape requirements. If you could post a pic of your work area and what your plans are it would be helpful.
Hello, I tried to take some pond pictures but with the sun reflecting on the snow it seems to make everything look flat . I'll try again on a cloudy day. About 5' from the far end of the pond is a fairly steep bank. I was thinking of setting up the filters there. It would make it easier to hide them and also allow me easy access. If I have 4" pipe from the bottom drain, should all the pipe to and from the barrels be 4" as well? Also, what is the simplest way to level the barrels with the pond?
If you connecting 3 to 4 drums I'd suggest to use 4" pipe as your transfer pipe to provide better flow. I will not place the berrels level with your pond. I have it 2" lower so if you want to cover it with decking or something the cover will be same level as your pond, IMHO
rgds, Jon
"DuKu Friendly" _____________________________________ "No one is ever too old to know better"
Another stupid question, Am I supposed to be getting the water level in the drums the same height as the water level in the pond? If I put the drums too low wouldn't that make my pond drain if the pump failed?
What I've suggested before was just if you're planning to cover the drums with something. Like my filters its about an inch lower than the pond so when I build the cover for it it should be level with the pond
You water level will be always lower then your pond coz of your pump but if you switch the pump off they will be level So just place your drums an inch lower than pond
rgds, Jon
"DuKu Friendly" _____________________________________ "No one is ever too old to know better"
Is there a less painful way to make cone bottoms than sheet metal and concrete . What about styrofoam and crazy carpets ?
Thank you, Jaylene
Hi Jaylene,
If you can use a larger pipefor the drain like 3in, it should work without having a cone bottom. The one I made didn't have a cone bottom and I used a 2in pipe for the drain.
Don't stress yourself
rgds, Jon
"DuKu Friendly" _____________________________________ "No one is ever too old to know better"
DisclaimerPrivacy
Statement
Copyright
2001~ 2002 Hileytech Sdn Bhd , All Rights Reserved.
No part of the forum postings can be copied without
prior permission from Hileytech Sdn Bhd and the Author of the Posting.
For comments and Suggestion, Please contact the Webmaster at koi@hileytech.com
MAIN
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
Re: [Jaylene] plastic drums
[
Re: [larz1] plastic drums
[
There are several members here with multiple settlement and vortex drum filters with open tops that have been running for years. 
. 
Water Hyacinth's 
. 
. 
1
