55 Gallon Drum Dimensions

[John250]

Hi everyone !
I have a question regarding 55 gallon drum filters ( I live in the UK )
Over here there's not a great deal of information available for Skippy type systems.
I am reluctant to spend yet more funds on another filter system and whilst I don't
have great faith in my plumbing skills I do feel that DIY is worth pursuing.

Can someone tell me the dimensions of the drums you use please ?

I've located a local source and the details are :-

This 55 gallon/250 litre
Barrel is recycled ( food grade )

Height: 1metre/ 3' 3"

Diameter: 22 in

I can probably forward a pic if it helps.

This unit does not appear to stand very tall and I was under the impression the taller the better ?

 

[koiguy1969]

About 2 ' wide & 3' high

 

[John250]

Thanks for that Koiguy.
It would seem the dimensions are very similar.

Should I be able to find any further information that will help
with construction.

I'm wondering about flow rate ?
I notice that DrDave uses 3/4" inlet and 2" exit rigid pipework.

It's also good to see a wide range of filter media being used.
This side of the ' big pond ' seems less inventive !

 

[koiguy1969]

I use 1&1/2" pipe inside my filter from 1" tubing from the pump and 2" outpipe...the larger pipe inside, while having less resistance releases the water in the barrel slower (less pressure) this swirls the water slower thereby allowing the quicker and easier settling of debris in the sump area (bottom) of the filter.

 

[John250]

O.K. and what kind of turnover rate would you recommend ?

My pond is approximately 1500 UK gals.

Apologies for all the questions.

Do you use uvc with your system ?

I'm amazed at the success of the poultry netting for filtration but it obviously works ?

How about maintenance - presumably there's little cleaning required ?

 

[koiguy1969]

My pond is 1200 or so gals...my pump is 1200 gph... So once an hour. I use a different media, so i cant comment on the fences performance as a filter media...its plastic and has sufficient surface area for the aerobic bacteria to colonize, so i'm sure it works fine. and yes i use a U.V for a week or so a year...i let my pond green up before my fish even go back outside from their wintering pond in the basement....i run the u.v as stated then drain 1/2 the water out of the pond. pump the water from the basement pond into the pond then move the fish...my u.v is already put away for the year.

 

[John250]

Excellent.
Many thanks for all your help.
Maybe I should post my progress when I get started ?
The pic shows the pond in better days !

 

[DrCase]

Welcome to the forum john
Nice water line on the pond !

 

[John250]

Thanks DrCase.

I badly need to address the filtration problem and hopefully restore it to it's former glory !

John

 

[stroppy]

Excellent.
Many thanks for all your help.
Maybe I should post my progress when I get started ?
The pic shows the pond in better days !

lovely fish ... and strapping is good to use as bio media inside your drum :0)

 

[John250]

aha ! a fellow brit !
Any idea where I can get egg crate for media support, without paying a silly price ?

 

[koikeepr]

We have a bunch of brits here, John. The site is actually hosted and owned in the UK.

Look at our DIY forum, and you will see lots of DIY projects. Many of us use light grids (like for dropped ceilings) as a support. Am sure you can find that at your local home improvement big box store.

 

[PS3]

john i made a skippy 55 gallon drum made from koiguy 1969 plans
its really easy to build, he has pics and plans right in the sticky
and iam also useing strapping as media i put it in mesh bags
and you have an awesome pond john

 

[stroppy]

aha ! a fellow brit !
Any idea where I can get egg crate for media support, without paying a silly price ?

you could look on ebay ...or any of the DIY shops local too you
and yes there are a few of us brits on here :0)