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  • Results 1 to 16 of 16

    Thread: RDF users

    1. #1
      bobbd's Avatar
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      RDF users

      I am thinking about purchasing an RDF but am i right in assuming that in the winter i would need to shut down the 2 skimmers with 3 or 4 inch lines and only have 2 bottom drains with 4 inch lines feeding the RdF im guessing it would not be enough flow to keep RDF working, it gets pretty cold here in Jan and Feb..

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    2. #2
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      Mine has been running all winter, including the skimmers. Insulation is helpful and flowing water precludes freezing pipes
      .

    3. #3
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      I covered my pond with plastic and kept everything running. During the first freeze, the booster pump (for washing the drum) froze. So, I built a temporary structure over the filter area and cover it with tarp. I put a space heater inside and set it to lowest setting (55). Problem solved.

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      I covered mine with greenhouse plastic. Ran both pumps all winter, was able turn down one pump, it’s adjustable. I also have heat in my filter pit where the RDF sits. Water never got below 38 deg. And we had some -15 nights in January. Never had a issue all winter.


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    5. #5
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      Quote Originally Posted by bobbd View Post
      ... im guessing it would not be enough flow to keep RDF working, it gets pretty cold here in Jan and Feb..
      Any good RDF will work just the same with less flow, it'll just cycle less often.

    6. #6
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      The pipe from the booster pump to the spray bar froze on mine this winter. I could hear the RDF turn and the booster pump turn on, but no spray.

    7. #7
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      Quote Originally Posted by Huysy View Post
      The pipe from the booster pump to the spray bar froze on mine this winter. I could hear the RDF turn and the booster pump turn on, but no spray.
      Why heating the filter pit will help as well as insulating the pipe.

      With the profidrum or red label the high and low sensors can be adjusted if you change the flow of the pump causing different draw down. In fact the profidrum supplier addresses that the main problem with the blue eco was getting the draw down just right. Didn't knock the filter just stated it is more finicky. Was fair to me

    8. #8
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      Quote Originally Posted by Huysy View Post
      The pipe from the booster pump to the spray bar froze on mine this winter. I could hear the RDF turn and the booster pump turn on, but no spray.
      I had several jets on mine freeze too... although I had absentmindedly left the lid open and the overnight temps dipped into the low 20's.
      I think much depends on how harsh the winters temps are for each person. But I'd say flow to the RDF, as long as the pump flow is able to
      be reduced as well, shouldn't be an issue.
      --Steve



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    9. #9
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      Quote Originally Posted by icu2 View Post
      I had several jets on mine freeze too... although I had absentmindedly left the lid open and the overnight temps dipped into the low 20's.
      I think much depends on how harsh the winters temps are for each person. But I'd say flow to the RDF, as long as the pump flow is able to
      be reduced as well, shouldn't be an issue.
      Blue eco we have not much adjustment. As said the profidrum sensors can be moved and the red label can be reprogrammed. I like the moving the sensor method. Auto levelor work upon the same principle as the profi. Just my .02

    10. #10
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      Quote Originally Posted by kevin32 View Post
      Blue eco we have not much adjustment. As said the profidrum sensors can be moved and the red label can be reprogrammed. I like the moving the sensor method. Auto levelor work upon the same principle as the profi. Just my .02
      As long as I've been able to restrict the output of the pump to match the reduced incoming flow to the BE, along with the Levolor to maintain
      the water level at exactly the same, I haven't had much of an issue.
      --Steve



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    11. #11
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      Quote Originally Posted by icu2 View Post
      As long as I've been able to restrict the output of the pump to match the reduced incoming flow to the BE, along with the Levolor to maintain
      the water level at exactly the same, I haven't had much of an issue.
      Yep. I actually had some leaves in my midwater intake and my pond was almost overflowing. Cleared the intake and draw down changed and water level in pond lowered.

      I have my waste tray on be propped open
      Last edited by kevin32; 03-08-2018 at 11:04 PM.

    12. #12
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      The profidrum uses very similar sensors to the auto levelor which proves simple reliability. The blue eco has been easy to deal with with the use of the flowfriend pump.. without the variable speed pump alot more things come into account with it i feel

    13. #13
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      Ok how about shutting skimmer line down 1 pump to save a little money on electric bill in winter ?

    14. #14
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      Quote Originally Posted by bobbd View Post
      Ok how about shutting skimmer line down 1 pump to save a little money on electric bill in winter ?
      if you have two pumps on the RDF outlets then you can shut one down, but depend on your setup it might cause some complication. If you have variable speed pumps, it would be better to dial them down. In my case, shut down one one pump would cause an overflow out of the waste outlet because my static water level is higher than outlet and I rely on drawn down to get more flow.

      I guess I could lower the water level.

    15. #15
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      Quote Originally Posted by friscoponder View Post
      if you have two pumps on the RDF outlets then you can shut one down, but depend on your setup it might cause some complication. If you have variable speed pumps, it would be better to dial them down. In my case, shut down one one pump would cause an overflow out of the waste outlet because my static water level is higher than outlet and I rely on drawn down to get more flow.

      I guess I could lower the water level.
      That's what I do. If you slow or shut off one of the pumps just restrict the amount of water into the filter (ball valve) and it will
      lower the static water level inside the drum to be below the waste tray.
      --Steve



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    16. #16
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      Ok great Thanks everyone.

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