My New Toy (pics)

[amnesiac]

i had been trying to figure out what to do about circulation in my main tank. the main pump's return is way too much to put into the main tank in one static direction, although it was almost completely ample by itself (almost 40gpm). i emailed tunze for some insight and of course their solution came right along with a huge price tag. i was told slow the flow down with a valve and suplement the loss with two 6100 streams on a controller. easy enough to say but at 800 bucks my wallet was having a hard time swallowing it. i decided to do more research, i didnt like the idea of HAVING to use a certain brand of pump to get optimal flow. so after doing even more research i found an alternative to sticking the big bulky tunze streams in my tank right out for everyone to see. the george fischer 3-way actuating ball valve!!!! this puppy will slowly actuate return water from one inlet to one of two outlets anywhere from 10 second to 80 second intervals. the in and out can be hooked up to pvc via provided slip union or threaded male via the provided female union. this actuating unit rings in at about 300 from a supplier i found out in tempe but i was lucky enough to get the unit brand new off of ebay for 9.99 (plus 15.00 shipping)!!!!!! the lack of a bidding war shows that these things are a well kept secret (or maybe i just got plain lucky). even if i were to pay the 300 full price for this unit as well as the 180 for the 3-way valve and the mounting kit (which i still have to do because mine came with the regular inlet/outlet ball valve) i would still be waaaaaaaaay under the price for a couple of 6100 streams and a controller and with these i can hide the piping behind rock or even behind acro which will soon grow to hide the piping.

its a bit blurry and i got dizzy as hell trying to do it myself but if you look at the last pic youll see the ABC marker on top indicating flow from A to B or from A to C

well just wanted to share this info with you guys. if youre interested in this idea you may have a hard time finding this paticular unit (ea20) as george fischer has just release a newer model (the ea21), but even so at least this is an option for anyone who has a strong return pump or wants to upgrade to a stronger return pump. enjoy--anthony

 

[Satori]

That's pretty cool. What size are the inlet/outlets?

 

[amnesiac]

the ones on there are 1 1/2 if im not mistaken but im getting the 3 valve with the 1 inch unions. i thought it was pretty cool too and should let you guys know about it. -anthony

 

[Conceyted]

i dont undedrstand what this does?

 

[amnesiac]

its an timed actuator for either a regular valve or a three way valve. you can configure it to shut a regular valve on and off (thereby starting and stopping a flow of water) or on a three way valve you can switch flow from one opening to another (the three way valve isnt pictured as i havent gotten it yet). im not as good with words as id like to be (matter of fact in person i talk about as much with my hands as i do with my mouth) but i hope this clarifies it a bit -anthony

 

[Conceyted]

yea makes good sense thanks

 

[cerreta]

I'd like to see that thing running! I wonder how quiet it is? Is that thing 220volts? Do you have that power supply near your tank?

 

[amnesiac]

its comes 220 standard but with the moving of two jumper switches its 110. i still havent wire it up for power yet (busy once again) but when i do ill let you know as to how quiet it is. its got a good size electric motor inside (from my remote controlled car experience) so im thinking its gonna make some noise. also for how big this thing is im probably gonna mount it in the garage and run the two return pipes back to the tank. -anthony