Ball valve?

[aldiaz33]

I have ball valves on all 3 of my overflow (drain) lines and when I was running an external pump I had them on the inlet and discharge.

When I swap out filter socks, it's nice to be able to completely shut off flow to one drain without turning off the pump. The system continues to circulate and I don't have water crashing into the sock I am removing; the control is nice, but not necessary. Warning; this only works if you have other drains that can still handle the full flow of your pump(s).

I installed a ball valve on the inlet side of my external pump so that I wouldn't have to drain my sump to service the pump and on the discharge side to be able to control flow (if necessary). If you don't want to restrict flow at all, I wouldn't bother with any valves after your pump; a valve will actually add a little head pressure to your system so it will reduce flow, although probably only by a tiny amount.

 

[dxdx]

I put ball valves on the drain lines and the return lines.

It's good to have on the drains if I need to do special maintenance or shut off the flow for whatever reason, and on the returns I have to adjust the flow down a little. They've given me no problems, and I wouldn't set up a system without them.

 

[vr6fan]

Anyone have a good brand or kind they use? I want the one with 2 male ends but I see plastic ones and brass ones not sure which are best

 

[duanes]

I get mine from any big box hardware store (home depot, etc), and all are PVC. I have all female valves, either threaded or none threaded, and I don't recall ever getting or seeing a male end valve (doesn't mean they're not available). Easy enough to make though, just get a non-threaded valve, and glue a male end into it.

 

[Aquaticfan]

My pumps all run full flow. I do have a ball valve on the return line but its always wide open I only use it in case I need to divert flow elsewhere. I currently run beananimal overflows and they all have a single gate valve on the main siphon line. Other then that. Thats it. I am in the works on all of our tanks setting a plumbing system up for water changes only. Like to keep the water changes nice and easy.

 

[cali~budfish]

I like duanes idea with the valve to redirect flow seems like it could come in handy during water changes. I personally have ball valves on each of my return lines and love it to cut back the extra flow. I also have check valves but really don't need them cuz there are syphon break holes on the elbows of my returns in the overflow. Check valves will cut back your flow rate also.

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[vr6fan]

Ok so I went to home depot and found only female PVC ball valves....I'm a complete plumbing idiot...anyone have a pic of what I need to connect a threaded or non threaded PVC ball valve to my 3/4 tubing? Thanks for all the great help people

 

[dxdx]

Can't you get a 3/4" female ball valve and cement the tubing right into it?

I don't know the ball valve sizes off hand, but I think they come in all sizes. If not, you could get a 1" ball valve and a reducer with 1" male side and 3/4" female side to run your tube into.

 

[dxdx]

Like this one:

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

 

[aldiaz33]

Ok so I went to home depot and found only female PVC ball valves....I'm a complete plumbing idiot...anyone have a pic of what I need to connect a threaded or non threaded PVC ball valve to my 3/4 tubing? Thanks for all the great help people

You have a few options:

1. Order one of these: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=8016



Or

2. Go to you local Ace or Orchard and find a 3/4" threaded ball valve and get two 3/4" barbed fittings:

Ball Valve:



Barbed Fittings:



In both cases, I would get stainless steel hose clamps to secure your tubing.