Gate V

[wesb2013]

Is there any reason I couldn't use this less expensive gate valve off of Amazon instead of the more expensive one on BRS / Modular Marine? This will be used on a bean-animal style overflow. I will be using a Modular marine 2400 gph overflow box.

 

[Sassafras]

Issues I see would be:

1. Valterra "knife-gate" style valve would be harder to fine adjust when tuning the beananimal. You will be dealing with fractions of a turn on the valve to adjust the flow to get it just right.

2. Not sure how much pressure the Valterra can really handle, although I see it claims 45PSI closed. I use several of these valves in my setups, but always on drain lines, never on a pressure line.

 

[Midwater]

I am sure you can get a similar gate valve for much less than 85 dollars straight out of China on ali express.

 

[Sassafras]

I am sure you can get a similar gate valve for much less than 85 dollars straight out of China on ali express.

Finding it in standard U.S. sizes (inches) will be the tough part.

 

[Midwater]

Finding it in standard U.S. sizes (inches) will be the tough part.

Where do you think the US suppliers get theirs from, before they bump up the price?

 

[Sassafras]

This is typical of the return of a search for "1 inch PVC gate valve" on AliExpress. A few ball valves in imperial sizes, but gate valves are pretty much all DN / metric. It if hard for me to find PVC pipe, fittings or valves in imperial sizes on AliExpress. If you know the secret, please let us in on it. Search feature is kind of wonky on AE, so maybe you use certain terms?

 

[Sassafras]

BTW, Spears Mfg. is the company that makes the valves sold by BRS that the OP mentioned s being expensive. This is where their manufacturing plants are located. Don't know where the valves that Modular Marine sells are made, probably imported.



Long Story Short, if W wesb2013 can find a cheaper true gate valve, go for it. I just don't think they would be happy trying to use the Valterra knife valve on a beananimal setup.

Let us know what you end up doing W wesb2013 .

 

[wesb2013]

I already spent several hundred dollars on a secondhand tank, 100+ hours of repairs, and another $400 in equipment to run the tank.

The whole reason I wanted the bean-animal style drain is for the quietness. It would suck if I cheap out on the very last thing and end up regretting the whole setup. Thus, I bit the bullet last night and ended up getting the more expensive gate valve. At least I'm done spending money on it..... for now

 

[Midwater]

I have got herbies on my tanks. Not sure a bean animal is really necessary for freshwater.

Anyway, I use threaded stainless steel gate valves. I got them on ali.

 

[Sassafras]

A little pain now, but I agree with your logic. You'll love the beananimal, super silent and peace of mind. I used clear PVC pipe on the drain lines into the sump so I can see the flow as I adjust.