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    Thread: Burton or Draco?

    1. #1
      daniel95 is offline Member
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      Burton or Draco?

      Any advice on what RDF you'd pick between Draco and Burton? They are the only companies that ship here and judging by the previous posts, both seem to have their faults. Although it seems the older models are the ones that have failed in the past.

      Both are around $5000-6000 so similar in price. Just can't seem to pick which one.

      Thankyou

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    2. #2
      coolwon is offline Senior Member
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      Quote Originally Posted by daniel95 View Post
      Any advice on what RDF you'd pick between Draco and Burton? They are the only companies that ship here and judging by the previous posts, both seem to have their faults. Although it seems the older models are the ones that have failed in the past.

      Both are around $5000-6000 so similar in price. Just can't seem to pick which one.

      Thankyou
      Maybe if you could send the specs and the pics of the model you have in mind

      What size pond are you building.

      Bugger poverty and give the cat another goldfish.

      Profi or Pro S/Steel if you intend attempting to be a serious koi keeper.

      Find more about Weather in Durban, ZA

    3. #3
      daniel95 is offline Member
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      Quote Originally Posted by coolwon View Post
      Maybe if you could send the specs and the pics of the model you have in mind

      What size pond are you building.

      Bugger poverty and give the cat another goldfish.

      Profi or Pro S/Steel if you intend attempting to be a serious koi keeper.


      https://burtonsaquatics.com/burtons-...um-filter.html

      Pond size is around 15,000litres.

      Both those companies don't ship to Australia anymore, have emailed everyone. I looked at a synergy combi too but they said import fees are too high so won't send. I mean it's narrowed my choices haha.

    4. #4
      coolwon is offline Senior Member
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      Aliexpress, not that far across the sea from Aus.

      Is it worth a look?
      Find more about Weather in Durban, ZA

    5. #5
      daniel95 is offline Member
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      Quote Originally Posted by coolwon View Post
      Aliexpress, not that far across the sea from Aus.

      Is it worth a look?

      Aliexpress have profi drums? Can you send me the link?

    6. #6
      coolwon is offline Senior Member
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      Quote Originally Posted by daniel95 View Post
      Aliexpress have profi drums? Can you send me the link?

      Login to Aliexpress a Chinese Amazon.

      They sell Chinese drums.

      Not all Chinese can be suspect. Drums have been around a while now.

      You will find the different makes on Koiphen

      Cant recall makes and model numbers.


      Where are Burton from?

      A recent hobbyist on Koiphen was not impressed with Draco's reliability.

      Especially when he went on leave.

      Bear in mind,316 quality stainless steel does not warp or rust.

      But costs an arm and leg.

      They run 24 hours a day.

      The water level controls have to be of an industrial quality.

      I believe the motors and the drives shaft should be direct, with quality water seals on the drive shaft.

      Some of the motor and gear driven drums look Micky Mouse and fallible to early wear and bush or bearing

      failure in the undersized electric motors.
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    7. #7
      daniel95 is offline Member
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      Quote Originally Posted by coolwon View Post
      Login to Aliexpress a Chinese Amazon.

      They sell Chinese drums.

      Not all Chinese can be suspect. Drums have been around a while now.

      You will find the different makes on Koiphen

      Cant recall makes and model numbers.


      Where are Burton from?

      A recent hobbyist on Koiphen was not impressed with Draco's reliability.

      Especially when he went on leave.

      Bear in mind,316 quality stainless steel does not warp or rust.

      But costs an arm and leg.

      They run 24 hours a day.

      The water level controls have to be of an industrial quality.

      I believe the motors and the drives shaft should be direct, with quality water seals on the drive shaft.

      Some of the motor and gear driven drums look Micky Mouse and fallible to early wear and bush or bearing

      failure in the undersized electric motors.
      Sorry I’m not interested in buying a Chinese drum off aliexpress - for the money I want a brand, contact with company and reliability in parts. Too many variables for cheap unbranded Chinese drums which are known to fail quickly.

      Burtons and Draco are both UK and owners have specified being able to ship here.

    8. #8
      jimfish98's Avatar
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      I can't decide if Burton looks more like a profidrum or red label or seaside. They are all looking pretty similar and run about the same likely.

      I have had two draco units. The first had no issues beyond the drive for the drum failing once. They labeled it a defect from the maker and Tony at Draco along with the US dealer got me a new upgraded drive free. After about two years with it I sold it off when I shut my pond down. The new owner and I chat occasionally and it is still running fine with no issues to this day. All in its about 5 years old now. I just had a new RDF built using a Draco drum and so far, no issues.

      What I would consider most off is who you can get drums from. If you have an issue in 5 years, which supplier is going to be there to help get repairs done or replacement parts in?



      Diamond Lifetime Member #95!
      Just because its not a Great Koi doesn't mean its not a Great Koi...Me circa 2013

    9. #9
      coolwon is offline Senior Member
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      Quote Originally Posted by daniel95 View Post
      Sorry I’m not interested in buying a Chinese drum off aliexpress - for the money I want a brand, contact with company and reliability in parts. Too many variables for cheap unbranded Chinese drums which are known to fail quickly.

      Burtons and Draco are both UK and owners have specified being able to ship here.
      Horses for courses.

      Bet you got a Chinese built air con in your house?
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    10. #10
      daniel95 is offline Member
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      Quote Originally Posted by coolwon View Post
      Horses for courses.

      Bet you got a Chinese built air con in your house?
      Think you’re missing the whole point of the thread. I’ve already looked into Chinese generic drums and I was not happy with the lack of parts, warranty and the builds look very standard for the price. If you can send me a link on a model you’re talking about then go ahead, I will look. If my drum fails in 5 years, I will struggle to find contact with the supplier of their Ali express post is gone.

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    11. #11
      daniel95 is offline Member
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      Quote Originally Posted by jimfish98 View Post
      I can't decide if Burton looks more like a profidrum or red label or seaside. They are all looking pretty similar and run about the same likely.

      I have had two draco units. The first had no issues beyond the drive for the drum failing once. They labeled it a defect from the maker and Tony at Draco along with the US dealer got me a new upgraded drive free. After about two years with it I sold it off when I shut my pond down. The new owner and I chat occasionally and it is still running fine with no issues to this day. All in its about 5 years old now. I just had a new RDF built using a Draco drum and so far, no issues.

      What I would consider most off is who you can get drums from. If you have an issue in 5 years, which supplier is going to be there to help get repairs done or replacement parts in?
      Brilliant reply thankyou! Yep Draco have parts ready which can arrive in a couple of days which is why I’m considered them. Hopefully with the new motor and such I won’t run into any issues.

    12. #12
      coolwon is offline Senior Member
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      Quote Originally Posted by daniel95 View Post
      Think you’re missing the whole point of the thread. I’ve already looked into Chinese generic drums and I was not happy with the lack of parts, warranty and the builds look very standard for the price. If you can send me a link on a model you’re talking about then go ahead, I will look. If my drum fails in 5 years, I will struggle to find contact with the supplier of their Ali express post is gone.

      A spare part just replaces an inferior part.

      The sales pitch.

      SPARE PARTS READILY AVAILABLE.
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    13. #13
      BWG is offline Senior Member
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      For the US market ProfiDrum is still hanging in there. There have been some issues but it looks like support and parts are available for old and new units. Everything else if you want guaranteed a spare motor drive or controller you must order them with a new unit to be safe. Models and parts change frequently. The Vietnamese drums look very promising with more generic electrical components.

      Draco Drum in the US apparently has fizzled out and the dealer has apparently dropped. Don't know if they solved the motor water intrusion issue.
      Last edited by BWG; 01-28-2023 at 12:44 PM.

    14. #14
      coolwon is offline Senior Member
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      Quote Originally Posted by BWG View Post
      For the US market ProfiDrum is still hanging in there. There have been some issues but it looks like support and parts are available for old and new units. Everything else if you want guaranteed a spare motor drive or controller you must order them with a new unit to be safe. Models and parts change frequently. The Vietnamese drums look very promising with more generic electrical components.




      Draco Drum in the US apparently has fizzled out and the dealer has apparently dropped.



      Don't know if they solved the motor water intrusion issue.
      What does that mean?
      Find more about Weather in Durban, ZA

    15. #15
      BWG is offline Senior Member
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      Models are fluid in the US. If you want guaranteed replacement parts you better order them when you buy the drum. Here today gone tomorrow.

      ProfiDrum is the most stable and best supported. Parts and product support.
      This is US market only.

      Something happened to Draco here and not recommended.
      Last edited by BWG; 01-28-2023 at 01:14 PM.

    16. #16
      brad leslie is offline Senior Member
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      Quote Originally Posted by daniel95 View Post
      Any advice on what RDF you'd pick between Draco and Burton? They are the only companies that ship here and judging by the previous posts, both seem to have their faults. Although it seems the older models are the ones that have failed in the past.

      Both are around $5000-6000 so similar in price. Just can't seem to pick which one.

      Thankyou
      Hi mate,
      Have you tried Allan from Aussiekoi?
      He is the Australian distributor for Draco
      Ive been buying my koi gear off him for years & is a great fella

      Send me a PM if ya like

      https://www.aussiekoiwa.com/showcats.toy?aid=753227

    17. #17
      Kathy is offline Senior Member
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      We have a Draco drum that was part of a special order build by Zac Penn. The drum has held up well for about 5 years. We have replaced many parts that have failed. Draco does carry the parts and ships promptly. The draco we have handles about 6000 gph and runs quite often, which I'm sure contributed to the motor dying. Looking at the Burton rdf, it can handle much more flow so less wear and tear. We were happy with the draco, but when it started failing, it was one thing after another. Luckily, the parts aren't very costly and repairs are fairly simple. I'm not familiar with the Burton rdf, so just going off what little info is on their site. It does look like their gears are stainless where the Draco aren't.
      Last edited by Kathy; 02-07-2023 at 05:36 PM.

    18. #18
      NickK-UK is offline Member
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      Quote Originally Posted by daniel95 View Post
      https://burtonsaquatics.com/burtons-...um-filter.html

      Pond size is around 15,000litres.

      Both those companies don't ship to Australia anymore, have emailed everyone. I looked at a synergy combi too but they said import fees are too high so won't send. I mean it's narrowed my choices haha.
      I have a Draco Solum 16 on a ~14K litre pond, running airlifts for about 18-20K litres per hour. The drum is rated at 16K but I run it at its limit and some. I would say you want to take drums figures not at the clean water throughput but factor in both waste and biofilm restrictions and use a figure of 60% that rating for your selection. So a Solum 25 or even another brand with a little more at 35-45K litres an hour would be the size of drum I'd be looking at.

      I have used the Draco in direct UK sun for over a year before switching the location inside and out of the sun. Aus UV levels are far higher so I would consider that into your purchase decision (I didn't have an issue except my rubber boots degraded I used to contact the pipe to the drum inlets in direct sun degraded. The plastic of the Draco seemed fine. The Draco control box I would NOT put in directly outside - I've had one control box full of water thus getting a replacement from Draco. I would advise putting that under shelter or in a weather proof control box along with any other electrics.

      You can replace the drum mesh - mine is the factory 57 micron mesh but others here in the UK have switched out for 70 micron without any real issues. Outside ponds get more mess to deal with which makes that a good 'upgrade' for little impact on the pond.
      Eco pond: ~14,000l pond, 20,000lph airlifts, XP80, Drum & Anoxic filtration, No water pump - total power 58 Watts.

    19. #19
      BWG is offline Senior Member
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      Draco drum drive motor is inside in the wet zone. Many reports of damaged wet motors.

    20. #20
      daniel95 is offline Member
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      Thanks for your responses.

      The control boxes and motor is my concern with Draco. I'm heading towards the Burtons due to the stainless steel parts and higher flow. Only issue is the importation fee's.

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