NateHanson
Non-member
I've tried pluming supply houses and pool supply places around here. Do I have to order them, or can they be found locally?
Where can I buy Gate Valves?
- Thread starter NateHanson
- Start date
NateHanson
Non-member
anyone?
NateHanson
Non-member
jciwlsn said:
Hmm. West Marine doesn't list them. Do you know any particular boat supply stores that carry them?
jackie
Non-member
Owen's marine is down the street from me and I've seen them there but it's been a while so I don't know if they still carry them. I'm going down there later early this afternoon and can check, but they're in Hooksett, nh. Home Depot has the PVC ones.... Do you have an Ace hardware around? Seen them there too.
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Shroom King
Non-member
NateHanson said:
That's rather odd, I can't imagine a plumbing supply house without gate valves
. I know I can get them from F.W. Webb here in Gloucester.
Matt L.
Non-member
Gate Valves, Gate Valves Go Away
There is a reason why small-diameter gate valves are so hard to find: it is because they are not appropriate for the applications reefers want to use them in. Now don't get me wrong. Gate valves serve a major purpose (mainly in other applications), and you can find some small-diameter PVC gate valves. It is just that they are usually not rated for the service we intend to use them in, or are deemed unreliable. Here is what Plubing Supply has to say:
Now there are some legitimate uses for PVC gate valves, but probably not in our hobby. The only use I can think of is where space does not permit the use of a ball valve. Gate valves are something that was unfortunately introduced into this hobby with no scientific or engineering backing. At some time, some "expert" decided to give them a whirl, and now we have the classic monkey-see-monkey-do reefing where the phrase "gate valve" is echoed through forums across the Internet. Again, I'm not implying that you don't have a legitimate use for your gate valve. I just want to make sure everyone else reading this makes an informed decision about the valves they select for their tank and doesn't decide on using gate valves simply because they heard an echo,
Matt
There is a reason why small-diameter gate valves are so hard to find: it is because they are not appropriate for the applications reefers want to use them in. Now don't get me wrong. Gate valves serve a major purpose (mainly in other applications), and you can find some small-diameter PVC gate valves. It is just that they are usually not rated for the service we intend to use them in, or are deemed unreliable. Here is what Plubing Supply has to say:
Moreover, farther down on the page, in their Q&A section, they have the following:
. If you insist on having a PVC gate valve, try one of their Plastic Slice Gate Valves. So there you have it.
Now there are some legitimate uses for PVC gate valves, but probably not in our hobby. The only use I can think of is where space does not permit the use of a ball valve. Gate valves are something that was unfortunately introduced into this hobby with no scientific or engineering backing. At some time, some "expert" decided to give them a whirl, and now we have the classic monkey-see-monkey-do reefing where the phrase "gate valve" is echoed through forums across the Internet. Again, I'm not implying that you don't have a legitimate use for your gate valve. I just want to make sure everyone else reading this makes an informed decision about the valves they select for their tank and doesn't decide on using gate valves simply because they heard an echo,
Matt
NateHanson
Non-member
Matt, the reason I would like a gate valve, is because the PVC ball valves I've used are very difficult to adjust to small degrees. It's not exactly a mindless monkey-see thing.
Nate
Nate
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NateHanson
Non-member
I'd say I've mostly used the HD ones. I'll try others. (I can't say I'm all that suprised to hear the HD ones suck.)
littlep93056
Non-member
John has 3/4 inch ones but he's on vacation till the 17th
Matt L.
Non-member
Nate,NateHanson said:
Yes, the Home Depot brand of ball valves are really bottom of the line, and are ball valves only in the sense that their internal workings resemble a ball valve. I doubt they could even be called true ball valves.
Yes, when space is an issue, and people desire a hand cranking mechanism that is easy to turn, yes, gate valves appear to be the more appealing option. However, the irony is, the internal workings of a ball valve are better suited for fine adjustments of flow than a gate valve! So even though the gate valve has an easier to turn hand crank, the ball valve is still better suited for modulating flow. I think it is this counterintuitive feature that tricks people into going all out for gate valves.
In industry, gate valves are used primarily for large diameter applications. The size of a gate vlave (axially) doesn't increase much with the diameter of the pipe, while for a ball valve, the size increases in direct proportion to the size of the pipe (because if the sphere for the ball valve versus a simple plane for a gate valve). For a 96" pipe, you really can't have a ball valve. Butterfly valves are also useful at modulating flow like ball valves, but are better suited for large diameter applications. Again, a plane verus a sphere, but the problem with butterfly valves is the vane transecting the inside. Entrainment can become an issue. There are also globe valves which are useful for on/off applications on up into larger diameters where again, gate valves become more practical.
Try Aquatic Ecosystems. Give them a call, and ask for their best quality PVC (or all plastic) ball valve,
Matt
If you do decide to go with a quality gate valve (because you want to be able to adjust it accurately) Tropic Isle has them in a few sizes but they are surprisingly expensive. I think Marine Depot also has them.
I repeat from a past post,,, Does anyone know where to get the "higher quality" ball valves????
I repeat from a past post,,, Does anyone know where to get the "higher quality" ball valves????
dedfish
That's Mr.Murphy to you!
jimmy...dunno about quality, but I have ordered from www.savko.com with good results. I have one of the combo ball valve/union and I am happy with it. I do run it wide open so I can't say much about how well it adjust flow.
There are a couple of plumbing supply houses in the southend (can't remember the name off hand) that should have what you need locally.
http://www.kbico.com/products/gatevlv.htm
If you don't mind online.
http://www.kbico.com/products/gatevlv.htm
If you don't mind online.
