Gate vlaves?

Fishmommy · 08/14/2013, 05:49 PM

I notice the wide use of gate valves in sump plumbing to throttle flow. My engineering background strongly discourages this....globe valves are for throttling and gates (and balls) are for closing. Should I just get over it and go ahead with the gate valves? They sure are cheaper. Anyone have issues throttling flow with gates?

leveldrummer · 08/14/2013, 05:59 PM

Your over thinking it, gate valves are just fine, we use them because you can make mild adjustments.

mcgyvr · 08/14/2013, 06:02 PM

Don't get over it. You are right. The facts hold true for "reef water" just as any other liquid.

Availability, pricing, flowrate, saltwater compatibility,etc... dictate usage around here though.

psidriven · 08/14/2013, 06:04 PM

I haven't had any throttling issues with my gate valve. Can you elaborate on why a globe is preferred over gate/ball valves for throttling? A globe valve looks like it is more likely to clog and also harder to do maintenance on.

SGT_York · 08/14/2013, 06:19 PM

Gate valves work splendidly for the PSI we run through schedule 40 PVC. Globe valves are better but restrict the flow more than a gate and significantly reduce the pressure or flow, they are also very difficult and/or expensive to find free of any metal components. For what we use gate valves are just far more economical.

Fishmommy · 08/14/2013, 06:22 PM

My wallet says use gate valves

Yeah, I figured that at the pressures and velocities we are dealing with it would be ok. Glad for the reassurance. Thx!

08/14/2013, 05:49 PM	#1
Fishmommy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: NH, USA Posts: 1,214	Gate vlaves? I notice the wide use of gate valves in sump plumbing to throttle flow. My engineering background strongly discourages this....globe valves are for throttling and gates (and balls) are for closing. Should I just get over it and go ahead with the gate valves? They sure are cheaper. Anyone have issues throttling flow with gates? __________________ 135 DSA reef w/50 MRC sump. 10 + 5 QT, 180 planted, 75 planted

08/14/2013, 06:02 PM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Don't get over it. You are right. The facts hold true for "reef water" just as any other liquid. Availability, pricing, flowrate, saltwater compatibility,etc... dictate usage around here though. __________________ Who me?

08/14/2013, 06:04 PM	#4
psidriven Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Westside Taipei Posts: 1,292	I haven't had any throttling issues with my gate valve. Can you elaborate on why a globe is preferred over gate/ball valves for throttling? A globe valve looks like it is more likely to clog and also harder to do maintenance on. __________________ Trying to learn to read Chinese. Current Tank Info: 24 cube a go, baby walks

08/14/2013, 06:22 PM	#6
Fishmommy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: NH, USA Posts: 1,214	My wallet says use gate valves Yeah, I figured that at the pressures and velocities we are dealing with it would be ok. Glad for the reassurance. Thx! __________________ 135 DSA reef w/50 MRC sump. 10 + 5 QT, 180 planted, 75 planted

08/14/2013, 05:59 PM	#2
leveldrummer Reefer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,831	Your over thinking it, gate valves are just fine, we use them because you can make mild adjustments.

08/14/2013, 06:19 PM	#5
SGT_York Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,746	Gate valves work splendidly for the PSI we run through schedule 40 PVC. Globe valves are better but restrict the flow more than a gate and significantly reduce the pressure or flow, they are also very difficult and/or expensive to find free of any metal components. For what we use gate valves are just far more economical.