Industrial pond drum filter 30T: specification, installation and controller setup
A drum filter works simply: water enters the inside of the drum, flows out through the screen, and solids are held on the screen. As the screen clogs, the water level rises; the level sensor triggers the backwash pump, which cleans the screen and sends the waste out of the drain. The cycle runs without operator intervention.
This page is the specification and installation guide for the JIAHON industrial pond drum filter 30T, focusing on controller setup and installation details that can stop the machine working properly.
1. Specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product size | 900 (L) × 600 (W) × 640 (H) mm |
| Drum size | 470 (L) × 450 (diameter) mm |
| Screen material | 304 stainless steel |
| Drive motor | 90 W / 220 V |
| Backwash pump | 550 W / 220 V |
| Operating power | 640 W |
| Inlet | 75 mm |
| Outlet | 110 mm |
| Drain | 50 mm |
| Control | Timer + level control |
About mesh count: the specification is inconsistent and must be confirmed before ordering. The document title says “30T_50 mesh”, but the specification field says “304 stainless steel 200 mesh”. 50 and 200 mesh differ greatly in filtration (the higher the mesh, the finer the openings and the smaller the particles captured, but the faster it clogs and the more often it backwashes). Both cannot be true; confirm the actual mesh supplied with us before ordering and state it on the order.
2. Installation
- Inlet: place the pump in the pond and pipe water to the filter inlet (75 mm).
- Outlet: the outlet (110 mm) returns water to the pond by gravity. The pipe must not be smaller than the factory size; this is critical, see below.
- Drain: the drain pipe (50 mm) can go to a sewer, or the waste can be collected and stored for use as fertilizer.
- Controller: once piping is connected, power the controller; “—” on the display means standby.
- Start: start the pump first; once water reaches the filter, press the controller start button. The machine starts turning and the backwash countdown begins.
Why must the outlet pipe not be reduced? The outlet flows by gravity, without pressure. If the pipe is smaller, drainage cannot keep up with inflow, the water level stays high, and the level sensor reads it as a clogged screen and keeps triggering backwash. The symptoms are continuous starting, or the machine judging a fault and not starting at all. If you see either, measure the outlet pipe first before taking the controller apart.
3. Controller setup
Two conditions before setup: stop the supply pump, and make sure the level sensor is off. If either is not met, you cannot enter setup mode.
| Step | Action | Display / notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Power on the filter | “—” (three dashes) means standby |
| 2 | Press the set button once | Shows B-2: backwash time in seconds |
| 3 | Press set again and adjust with + / − | Set the backwash seconds; about 60 s is generally recommended |
| 4 | Press set again | Select timed start mode: C-1 in minutes, C-2 in seconds |
| 5 | Select and adjust with + / − | Set the timed start interval |
| 6 | Press set again | Returns to “—”; setup complete |
The manufacturer also notes that the timed interval should be set to one hour or more, preferably using C-1 (minutes).
4. Two operations that damage the machine
- Running the backwash pump dry: the supply pump must run and the machine must hold water before you press the start button. In the reverse order, the backwash pump runs without water, and the mechanical seal and impeller are quickly damaged by dry running. This is the operating-sequence error in the manual that directly causes equipment damage.
- Y-strainer not filled: before use, open the Y-strainer knob and fill it with water. This also prevents the pump starting dry.
5. Choosing mesh count
Mesh count is the number of openings per inch; the higher the number, the finer the openings. Finer is not always better; balance the particle size captured against backwash frequency:
- Lower mesh (coarser): fine suspended matter passes through, but the screen clogs less, backwashes less often, and uses less water and power.
- Higher mesh (finer): captures finer particles for clearer water, but clogs faster and backwashes more often, using more water and power and shortening screen maintenance and replacement intervals.
Base the choice on stocking density, feeding rate, species and target water quality. Ponds with heavy feeding and high density produce suspended solids quickly, and too fine a screen will keep the machine backwashing almost continuously.
6. Routine maintenance
- Screen: biofilm and scale gradually build up on the 304 stainless steel screen; what backwash cannot remove needs regular manual cleaning. If the water level stays high after backwash, it is usually stubborn deposits on the screen, not a mechanical fault.
- Nozzles: clogged backwash nozzles clean unevenly, leaving parts of the screen clogged. Check regularly that nozzles spray a fan pattern in the right direction.
- Level sensor: algae or oil film on the sensor affects readings, causing missed backwashes or constant backwashing. Cleaning the sensor face is the first troubleshooting step.
- Drain pipe: a reverse slope or kinks that collect waste cause backflow.
- Electrical safety: 220 V equipment running long-term in damp conditions; include junction box waterproofing and grounding in regular checks.
FAQ
The machine keeps backwashing and won’t stop; is it broken? Usually not. The common cause is an outlet pipe smaller than the factory size, so drainage cannot keep up, the water level stays high and the level sensor keeps calling for backwash. Measure the outlet pipe first, then check the drain for backflow and the level sensor for algae, before suspecting the controller.
How long should backwash run? The manufacturer recommends about 60 seconds. It depends on how dirty the screen is: if the level drops clearly after backwash, the time is enough; if it stays high, the time may be too short, or the screen may have deposits backwash cannot remove, in which case a longer backwash will not help and manual cleaning is needed.
Timed start vs level start? Level start is reactive: it backwashes when clogging reaches a set level. Timed start is proactive: it backwashes at intervals regardless, so waste does not sit on the screen long enough to form biofilm. Use both, with the timed interval at one hour or more.
What does 30T mean? It indicates the design flow class. Actual flow depends on mesh count, suspended solids in the inflow, pump head and piping. Plan with the actual pond circulation and pump capacity, not one number.
Can the waste be used as fertilizer? The manufacturer’s manual lists storing it for fertilizer as one drain option. In practice, reuse of aquaculture waste must follow local environmental and agricultural rules; handle and store it as the authorities require.
Can the screen be changed to a different mesh? The screen is a consumable and can in principle be replaced. Before changing, confirm the drum and frame fit for this model and reassess backwash settings. Ask us which mesh options are available.
Standards referenced
Please refer to the current versions published by each organization.
- ISO 9001:2026, Quality management systems – Requirements, Ed. 6 — International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
- Introduction to the chemical substance registration system — Chemicals Administration, Ministry of Environment
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From: JIAHON Engineering
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