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Skimmer alteration
- Thread starter MadReefer
- Start date
a gate valve is more precise!
with a ball valve the handle is connected directly to the ball, and when you turn the handle its kinda tough, and it skips a lot. so its a pain to find that sweet spot.
with a gate valve, the handle is like a knob. which you turn, and that turns a stud that is threaded. which closes the gate. just like a gate of a castle. so you can turn it very slowly, and very easily. finding the sweet spot is much much easier with a gate valve!
and to the queestion on how to change the valves, im not really sure. im not familiar with them. i will look them up though and if i find anything i will give u my opinion.....
with a ball valve the handle is connected directly to the ball, and when you turn the handle its kinda tough, and it skips a lot. so its a pain to find that sweet spot.
with a gate valve, the handle is like a knob. which you turn, and that turns a stud that is threaded. which closes the gate. just like a gate of a castle. so you can turn it very slowly, and very easily. finding the sweet spot is much much easier with a gate valve!
and to the queestion on how to change the valves, im not really sure. im not familiar with them. i will look them up though and if i find anything i will give u my opinion.....
I am a pipefitter for 33 years. I have never used a gate valve to control anything except on and off. That is why I asked the question of why you thought it was a better choice of valve.
Gate valves are not a more precise valve. In my trade you are more likely to install a ball type valve for flow control.
Ball valves do seem to stick after a while of being in salt water. Maybe you just need a new ball valve. Got a pic to show. Maybe it will be easier to assist you if we see something.
Gate valves are not a more precise valve. In my trade you are more likely to install a ball type valve for flow control.
Ball valves do seem to stick after a while of being in salt water. Maybe you just need a new ball valve. Got a pic to show. Maybe it will be easier to assist you if we see something.
This is if it's all glued . If you can see about an inch of pipe that the ball valve is on just saw the ball of right on the edge of it. Leave the piece of pipe to glue your gate to. If the ball valve is tight up against somethin and you can't see the smaller pipe going in to it then that sucks. But... You could just leave your ball valve on, glue a section of pipe into your ball valve and put your gate on that. Just leave the ball fully open and use the gate instead. If it's threaded just unscrew use some teflon tape and screw on the gate
Here is a reference to flow control valves. Ignore the pneumatic or hydraulic references. These valves all come manual as well. they also come in many different sizes. Even the sizes we use.
These valves are recommended because they work best to control flow. You will notice that there is a specific on a quarter turn valve (ball valve). The other two control flow control valve types I have not seen in our hobby. That is the globe and butterfly type.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_control_valve
These valves are recommended because they work best to control flow. You will notice that there is a specific on a quarter turn valve (ball valve). The other two control flow control valve types I have not seen in our hobby. That is the globe and butterfly type.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_control_valve
Nickjr000 said:
Madreefer the first advice i would give to you is to dump that skimmer and put some money into a good one. btw are you still dosing vodka?
Anyways - assuming you decide against spending $$$ (totally understandable) then I think Nick's points here are right on. If the ball valve cannot be removed, then just attach a smaller slip pvc to it and then add the gate valve on the end. A gate valve will run you a few bucks, plus a small piece of pvc and pvc cement and you're done.
hehe - you're asking the wrong guy.
A good skimmer (in my opinion), without talking brand names -
generates a good froth, requires minimal modifications (once set), and has minimal moving parts.
There are venturi skimmers, skimmers that use airstones, meshwheels, skimmers that use a "spray injection", and skimmers that use a beckett. There's also recirculating designs.
I have no idea what the AIS-250 design is - but maybe you could ask the former owner for a refund and get a new one!
Also a good skimmer should easily be found on the internet... ;D
A good skimmer (in my opinion), without talking brand names -
generates a good froth, requires minimal modifications (once set), and has minimal moving parts.
There are venturi skimmers, skimmers that use airstones, meshwheels, skimmers that use a "spray injection", and skimmers that use a beckett. There's also recirculating designs.
I have no idea what the AIS-250 design is - but maybe you could ask the former owner for a refund and get a new one!
Also a good skimmer should easily be found on the internet... ;D
Phil,
This was given to me free and is better than my Berlin by far. So no refund available. After the braek in period and 45 gallon water change I have to keep it on the lowest water level. If I move it the collection cup over flows with water. Just trying to get better control. maybe a good cleaning will do the trick. If you give me the cash I will by a new skimmer...LOL.
Mark
This was given to me free and is better than my Berlin by far. So no refund available. After the braek in period and 45 gallon water change I have to keep it on the lowest water level. If I move it the collection cup over flows with water. Just trying to get better control. maybe a good cleaning will do the trick. If you give me the cash I will by a new skimmer...LOL.
Mark