G3 gatevalve incorrect??

I like Triggers · 09/04/2006, 12:58 AM

hey i did the gate valve mod to my g3 today and it is going nuts filling the collection cup instantly. it is about 12" submerged. here is a picture of it. does it look right?

Hop · 09/04/2006, 01:22 AM

It's a bad angle. The valve might be too high.

Atomahawk · 09/04/2006, 04:39 AM

I agree, it may be a bad shot, but the elbow that goes to the valve seems to be parallel or higher than the joint of the main reactor tube. If thats the way it is thats going to be your minimum water level in the skimmer with the valve wide open. It would be much better to take the valve and place it verticaly right after the grey drain tube of the skimmer then do your elbow then T. This way you would create a bit of back pressure on the drain side. By doing this it will reduce the chance of the skimmer over filling and running out of the cup.

If you want to see what your minimum water level in your skimmer is, shut the pump off, open the valve all the way. Start the pump up. If the water level is any higher than the joint of the main reactor tube, your drainage from the skimmer is to high and your going to have a hard time getting it not to over flow. The lower it is in the main reactor , the better. The valve is to create some back pressure so the water level in the skimmer can be adjusted to it's optimum operating level. This is especially important when a pump shuts off and is restarted, this is when most skimmers tend to over flow. The lower the valve is placed on the drain side the better, the same goes for the drain tube after the valve the lower the better when using a gate valve to adjust the level in the skimmer, unless you need it higher to free flow the water over carbon or floss.

Hope this makes sense.

zoebeaglezoe · 09/04/2006, 06:44 AM

this is how mine is setup haven't started it but in 1-2 days i'm hoping

here's some instructions on setup

http://www.asmskimmer.com/mod1.htm

kb27973 · 09/04/2006, 08:08 AM

Hey,
Quick question kinda off topic. Where did you find your gate valve? I've checked Home Depot and Lowes and all they sell are ball valves.
Thanks in advance,
Ken

zoebeaglezoe · 09/04/2006, 08:10 AM

I bought the hole kit from www.asmskimmer.com
but i'm sure you can find it else where for less

kb27973 · 09/04/2006, 08:36 AM

Thanks for the reply. I followed the link and looked in the mods section. Here is what they have to say:

Quote:

The gate valve mod is very easy to build. The hardest part is locating a PVC gate valve.

LOL. Don't I know it. I emailed them and asked if they would just sell me the valve.

Thanks again,
Ken

I like Triggers · 09/04/2006, 09:45 AM

i actually finally found one at OSH. i was shocked to see they had one.

mg426 · 09/04/2006, 10:00 AM

You can get the gate valve at www.usplastics.com $15:00 bucks

kb27973 · 09/04/2006, 10:15 AM

Thanks all for the replies. I just ordered some from McMaster. It's a royal pain trying to adjust my skimmer with a ball valve!

Ken

Bdimas · 09/04/2006, 04:25 PM

What is the purpose of the gate valve mod? I have a Euroreef, does it use the same mod?

09/04/2006, 12:58 AM	#1
I like Triggers Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 885	G3 gatevalve incorrect?? hey i did the gate valve mod to my g3 today and it is going nuts filling the collection cup instantly. it is about 12" submerged. here is a picture of it. does it look right? __________________ Mark Murray Current Tank Info: 225g Aggressive/Mixed Reef

09/04/2006, 01:22 AM	#2
Hop Carpe Noctem!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 8,548	It's a bad angle. The valve might be too high. __________________ Hop Current Tank Info: 300-gallon in-wall system (mixed reef)

09/04/2006, 09:45 AM	#8
I like Triggers Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 885	i actually finally found one at OSH. i was shocked to see they had one. __________________ Mark Murray Current Tank Info: 225g Aggressive/Mixed Reef

09/04/2006, 10:00 AM	#9
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	You can get the gate valve at www.usplastics.com $15:00 bucks __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

09/04/2006, 04:25 PM	#11
Bdimas No on 15 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 2,518	What is the purpose of the gate valve mod? I have a Euroreef, does it use the same mod? __________________ Bryan Current Tank Info: 90gallon mixed reef.

09/04/2006, 04:39 AM	#3
Atomahawk Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 132	I agree, it may be a bad shot, but the elbow that goes to the valve seems to be parallel or higher than the joint of the main reactor tube. If thats the way it is thats going to be your minimum water level in the skimmer with the valve wide open. It would be much better to take the valve and place it verticaly right after the grey drain tube of the skimmer then do your elbow then T. This way you would create a bit of back pressure on the drain side. By doing this it will reduce the chance of the skimmer over filling and running out of the cup. If you want to see what your minimum water level in your skimmer is, shut the pump off, open the valve all the way. Start the pump up. If the water level is any higher than the joint of the main reactor tube, your drainage from the skimmer is to high and your going to have a hard time getting it not to over flow. The lower it is in the main reactor , the better. The valve is to create some back pressure so the water level in the skimmer can be adjusted to it's optimum operating level. This is especially important when a pump shuts off and is restarted, this is when most skimmers tend to over flow. The lower the valve is placed on the drain side the better, the same goes for the drain tube after the valve the lower the better when using a gate valve to adjust the level in the skimmer, unless you need it higher to free flow the water over carbon or floss. Hope this makes sense.

09/04/2006, 06:44 AM	#4
zoebeaglezoe Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: plano IL Posts: 696	this is how mine is setup haven't started it but in 1-2 days i'm hoping here's some instructions on setup http://www.asmskimmer.com/mod1.htm

09/04/2006, 08:08 AM	#5
kb27973 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Denver, CO. Posts: 715	Hey, Quick question kinda off topic. Where did you find your gate valve? I've checked Home Depot and Lowes and all they sell are ball valves. Thanks in advance, Ken

09/04/2006, 08:10 AM	#6
zoebeaglezoe Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: plano IL Posts: 696	I bought the hole kit from www.asmskimmer.com but i'm sure you can find it else where for less

09/04/2006, 10:15 AM	#10
kb27973 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Denver, CO. Posts: 715	Thanks all for the replies. I just ordered some from McMaster. It's a royal pain trying to adjust my skimmer with a ball valve! Ken