Valves: Ball or Gate

simike · 06-26-2006, 05:14 PM

Ive read that gate valves should be used to regulate flow. can you do the same with ball valves. Is there a certain GPH to where you can use ball valves without worry of bubbles etc. what is the advantage of gate over ball in lines that pump less than 800 gph??

scarf_ace1981 · 06-26-2006, 05:19 PM

i use a ball valve on my return. wish i could help you further but i'm not very smart w/ plumbing.

pecan2phat · 06-26-2006, 05:28 PM

Gate valves just gives you a more precise tuning mechanism for controlling the flow.
Ball valves will work in almost every application that you will need in this hobby.

Tonyscoots84 · 06-26-2006, 05:35 PM

i feel that the gate valves are a better way to go... as pecan said more precise....

TimberTDI · 06-26-2006, 05:40 PM

Believe it or not, you actually get better throttle control on a ball valve. I can dig up the info if you want. It has to do with the the way the valves sit.

Steven

**Deanos** · 06-26-2006, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimberTDI


	I can dig up the info if you want.

Please do...I spent extra money to get a gate valve for my skimmer instead of a ball valve.

Tonyscoots84 · 06-26-2006, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deanos


	Please do...I spent extra money to get a gate valve for my skimmer instead of a ball valve.

deanos funny u said that cause i did the same thing 2....

**nanoreefer22** · 06-26-2006, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deanos


	Please do...I spent extra money to get a gate valve for my skimmer instead of a ball valve.

Me too. Tried 'em both the gate valve is 100x's more precise in tuning a skimmer or any flow for that matter.

Ball valves are just to stiff to be able to make a tiny change in the amount of water exiting or entering. With a gate valve you can make those tiny increases or decreases. Maybe you have the two confused?

06-26-2006, 07:49 PM

OK ,,for more precise tuning a gate valve will work better .....the way it works is when turning the handle it slowly brings down the gate type vavle (basiclly a hair at a time ) i dont think it get better then that

Ball valves are simple better to shut off thing ,thats it

It works this way ..you have a ball in the valve (cut in half ) basiclly whe nyou turn the valve ,you are closing it in 2 places in the vavle that does not give you that precise tuning ,only reason ,if you trun the valve you never know how much you are acually reducing.( or closing the valve )

so if you wanted to close a gate valve you have to turn the handle at least 10 times

where the ball valve closes in half a turn not to mention that it will break with the calcium ans salt build up

**jhale** · 06-26-2006, 07:49 PM

I have two ball valves on my skimmer, one going in, and one coming out.
for the DAS they work well enough.

06-26-2006, 05:14 PM	#1
simike Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Staten Island Posts: 392 Reefer Ratings: (7) Friends: (0)	Valves: Ball or Gate Ive read that gate valves should be used to regulate flow. can you do the same with ball valves. Is there a certain GPH to where you can use ball valves without worry of bubbles etc. what is the advantage of gate over ball in lines that pump less than 800 gph??

06-26-2006, 05:19 PM	#2
scarf_ace1981 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NYC Manhattan Posts: 4,856 Reefer Ratings: (67) Friends: (0)	i use a ball valve on my return. wish i could help you further but i'm not very smart w/ plumbing. __________________ Finch breeder

06-26-2006, 05:35 PM	#4
Tonyscoots84 Soon To Be Nano KiNg ;) Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Staten Island Posts: 7,037 Reefer Ratings: (22) Friends: (0)	i feel that the gate valves are a better way to go... as pecan said more precise.... __________________ B & A Computers Got Computer Problems? We Can Fix Them! (We Come To You For What It Would Cost For You To Bring It To The Store) Stop Getting Ripped Off and Start Saving Money On Tech Services! We Are Here For All Your Computer Needs. We have have helped hundreds of people save alot of money in Manhattan,New York,Bronx,Queens,Brooklyn,Staten Island and New Jersey. (718) 689 - 0662

06-26-2006, 05:40 PM	#5
TimberTDI Recovering Lurker Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Monroe, NY Posts: 1,666 Reefer Ratings: (7) Friends: (2)	Believe it or not, you actually get better throttle control on a ball valve. I can dig up the info if you want. It has to do with the the way the valves sit. Steven __________________ . as soon as I come up with something thought provoking I'll put it here. and yes pedro nuno ferriera is a google bot.

06-26-2006, 07:49 PM	#9
DEEPWATER Guest Posts: n/a	OK ,,for more precise tuning a gate valve will work better .....the way it works is when turning the handle it slowly brings down the gate type vavle (basiclly a hair at a time ) i dont think it get better then that Ball valves are simple better to shut off thing ,thats it It works this way ..you have a ball in the valve (cut in half ) basiclly whe nyou turn the valve ,you are closing it in 2 places in the vavle that does not give you that precise tuning ,only reason ,if you trun the valve you never know how much you are acually reducing.( or closing the valve ) so if you wanted to close a gate valve you have to turn the handle at least 10 times where the ball valve closes in half a turn not to mention that it will break with the calcium ans salt build up Last edited by DEEPWATER; 06-26-2006 at 10:40 PM.

06-26-2006, 05:28 PM	#3
pecan2phat Professional Commuter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Wallingford, CT Posts: 2,011 Reefer Ratings: (25) Friends: (7)	Gate valves just gives you a more precise tuning mechanism for controlling the flow. Ball valves will work in almost every application that you will need in this hobby.

06-26-2006, 07:49 PM	#10
jhale paper bags are fun! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: G.V NYC Posts: 15,305 Reefer Ratings: (43) Friends: (32)	I have two ball valves on my skimmer, one going in, and one coming out. for the DAS they work well enough.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode