Threaded or slip ball valves?

[Anonymous]

Which one do people usually use? The slip makes a nice union, but then you have to saw it apart, limiting the reusability of the valve. I'm just thinking because I'm taking down an old terrarium and noticing theres a lot of stuff that I can't reuse. Also I glued the pvc pipes directly into the bulkheads, so they go in the trash too...

 

[Chucker]

Actually Dan, I believe some folks make a ball valve with unions- you may want to look into that. Might even find something with the search feature if you look for unions.

 

[Len]

Yes, various manufacturers make union ball valves. In fact, there are single (can disconnect on one end only) and double union ball valves (both ends disconnect-able). Marine Depot, for one, sells them. Much easier then hacking

 

[Anonymous]

thats what they call "true-union" valves, correct? Yeah, I have seen them...

 

[Anonymous]

I used threaded only because that's all I could find here. I loaded up on the teflon tape and then used male adapters on each end with a bead of silicone. Then screwed them all the way up until the valve piece compressed the silicone and made a good seal on both ends and I'm in business.