Best ball valve / Flow reducer?

[Kyle]

I'm looking for a 5/8ths inch valve to better control the flow on my tank. I'm using my XP2 on a 10gal tank, which is overkill I know, and the bundled valve is not only unsightly (it has to go in the tank hooked to the spraybar), but it also doesn't allow me to reduce the flow as much as I'd like.

Does anyone know if a valve like this one:

http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products.../Itemdy00.aspx

Is what I'm looking for? I'd like something that can go to fully off if need be I guess.

[Momotaro]

Those ball valves would work just fine.

One word of caution. Be careful when throttling back the flow on a canister filter when using a ball valve. You want to be sure you avoid creating too much back pressure on the canister.

Mike

[scolley]

No reason why that shouldn't work, I would think. There should be a lot of options out there in 5/8" ball ball valves.

The ball valve will work. The bigger question I think might be just how much you can crank that down. Too much will be bad news for your filter. But I'm afraid I can't answer the question of "how much is too much?"

[scolley]

Sorry about the repeat below... Momo ninja posted on me!

[Kyle]

Yeah, I'm worried about how much is too much. I'm assuming that the lowest setting on the included valve isn't "too much", so hopefully I'll shoot for just shy of what it is putting out now. I'm also interested in getting that additional 4" of valve out of the tank and hidden out of sight.

[jgc]

This is just a thought, from someone with no worldly experiance...

It is probably possible to put in a bypass using a couple valves or a flow diverter of sorts. Basically image an H.

[Kyle]

I was wondering if there are other ways to reduce the flow. I have a Hydor heater and my co2 reactor inline but that doesn't seem to do much in terms of flow reduction.

[scolley]

Originally Posted by Kyle

I'm assuming that the lowest setting on the included valve isn't "too much", so hopefully I'll shoot for just shy of what it is putting out now.

You are not going to find ball valves with any kind of flow "setting" in the aquarium trade. You'll be lucky if you find one with a mark for "All the way Open" and "Completely Closed".

The only way you will know how much it is constricting flow is to measure it, a real PITA I know. Or you can just "eyeball" the flow, and listen very carefully to the canister to see if it starts making more noise. That's always an indicator that you are giving it too much resistance.

[Kyle]

Good tip. I'll give it a shot when I can find a valve locally. No sense in paying $8 s&h on a $4 valve

[BlueRam]

Another vote for the H pattern. Grab two ball valves (one on line that goes to tank and another in the center of the H. I think that one valve could be used, but two is more flexable.

Originally Posted by jgc

This is just a thought, from someone with no worldly experiance...

It is probably possible to put in a bypass using a couple valves or a flow diverter of sorts. Basically image an H.

[Kyle]

What is the purpose of the portion that bypasses the filter there? Is it to alleviate backpressure by allowing the pressure to flow back "in front" of the filter?

[jgc]

I do not know if it is necessary, but I suspect their may be issues with backpressure and the pump. Likewise will the canister get adaquate circulation to all the nooks and cranies if the flow is severly restricted. Third issue is the ball valves may be easier to adjust. Likewise it might reduce noise a little (an almost closed ball valve will have a lot of turbulance).

[BlueRam]

The bypass allows you to run the filter at 100% flow with 0% flow into the tank at the extreme (Black closed). You can also turn off the bypass (red closed).

Your first post suggested that you wanted to cut the flow dramatically without harming the filter by creating too much backpresure, so yes, is does what you suggest.

Originally Posted by Kyle

What is the purpose of the portion that bypasses the filter there? Is it to alleviate backpressure by allowing the pressure to flow back "in front" of the filter?