Cheap Ball valves

[djtuzik]

I'm planning to build a salt water mixing station and considering using the basic Home Depot ball valve which is kinda hard to turn even at the store. Is there a way to make it easier to turn?

 

[sleepydoc]

I've used the same ones - IME they loosen up a bit with time, but are never what I would call easy to turn. I haven't used a 'high' quality ball valve to compare, though. I suppose you could try some silicone lubricant. You have to be careful and make sure it's reef safe and won't degrade the seals in the valve, thougj

 

[BrettDS]

I use the Home Depot ball valves and they are definitely a bit easier to turn when they're actually attached to pipes because you can get better leverage, but they're still not super easy to move.

In my case though, I've installed them in locations that rarely, if ever, need to be adjusted, so I don't worry about it too much. If you need to use them frequently they might be a bit of a pain.

 

[azjohnny]

Lowes has much better quality ball valves than Home Depot , a little more expensive but worth it to me. I usually get the double union models

http://www.lowes.com/pd_108956-3359...3354628&pl=1&Ntt=pvc+ball+valves#BVRRWidgetID