1/2" solenoid for Reef Water

[brittonv]

I found this Salt water Safe Solenoid today that I am thinking of integrating into my plumbing on my reef tank.

http://wicvalve.com/1-2-Anti-Corrosion-Acid-Resistant-Salt-Water-Solenoid-Valve-NC-2PCZ-1-2-D.htm

I see it is salt water safe, but how can I determine if it is aquarium safe?

 

[sleepydoc]

From the description, the fluid path on comes in contact with PVC, so it should be safe. I believe Buckeye Field Supply has some to - check out their site

 

[zachts]

Body Material: CPVC (Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride)

Seal Material: EPDM

Both materials that contact the water are perfectly reef safe. Expensive little bugger though........

Doesn't say what duty cycle it's rated to handle though or operational life, if it'll be used for an application that will have it energized often or for long periods of time consult the manufacturer to make sure you don't burn up the coil.

 

[rwb500]

Doesn't say what duty cycle it's rated to handle though or operational life, if it'll be used for an application that will have it energized often or for long periods of time consult the manufacturer to make sure you don't burn up the coil.

yep. that little thing burns up 16 watts. seems borderline for running constantly. i've seen builds where people have had to mount little fans for their solenoid valves to run 100% duty cycle for long periods.

 

[Tarawa]

I wasnt aware such devices existed, these could work as a reliable overflow > sump check valve, could it not? hook it up to a relay, and when the power drops it closes up.

 

[brittonv]

woudn't need to, the power cutting off would close the valve... It needs to be powered to be open. But that goes to the duty cycle zachts mentioned... It would need to support a 100% duty cycle to support the installation you are describing. I don't know that this one does or does not have that.

 

[karimwassef]

It goes up to 1.5" for $330 . I can see lots of applications with that. Not the least of which is a sweet submerged surge!

 

[zachts]

It goes up to 1.5" for $330 . I can see lots of applications with that. Not the least of which is a sweet submerged surge!

for a surge tank there are lots cheaper valves out there.......

 

[karimwassef]

Great. Which ones? No passive valves please.

 

[zachts]

search thru the surge tank threads, butterfly type valves as I recall were pretty reasonable for large diameter actuated valves. In the 150-200 range if memory serves for the larger ones....Surge tanks need a high flow fast opening valve as you probably know. I don't think this particular valve type would allow enough flow on most large surge setups.......

 

[karimwassef]

I made my own 2" linear actuated valve (2 of them, actually). They've both been in constant service for about a year and a half. Between a butterfly valve and a linear, it wasn't much of a difference in manual testing. Mine works but I need another one for an actuated overflow to the sump (the forgotten side of a surge system). At 1.5", that's do the job.

Besides, there is no cheaper saltwater actuated valve (butterfly or not) that was cheaper than this. None that I could find.

If you know of one, that would be awesome.

 

[Theokie]

This is a diaphragm type valve, and as a result will require a bit of head pressure to operate. Generally Diaphragm styles have a very small internal opening. I've used them in pressurized ATO systems and water change systems. Not knowing what you intended use is, I can't really recommend a valve type. Though for something where you are wanting 1/2, I can imagine you want a good bit of flow through it. An electric ball valve is ideal for most applications where you are wanting it to stay open continuously, as most only consume power when they are changing state, as well as being full bore, for unrestricted flow. Hayward also makes a full bore solenoid, that you can get on ebay, they are more expensive but are rated for 100% duty cycle.

An example of a heavy duty, continuous duty cycle solenoid, just needs a power supply http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hayward-1-2...643?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item487bd494f3