Plumbing Questions

[RayAllen3422]

Two questions:
1. I am thinking about plumbing some gate or ball valves for use of adding equipment like a reactor in the future. Do you all feed this off the return or overflow?
2. I have one return pump and two place in the tank for it to come out. Do most people just plumb this with a "T" piece.

Thanks for any insight!!!

 

[schatzi]

use a gate valve, gives you the best ability to adjust flow into the reactor, and feed off the return. yes a tee will work.

 

[WaReefer458]

if you can, plumb in a couple tees in a "manifold". that way you can add a couple extra systems later. just use ball valves, the gate valves are about 4x the price

 

[thegrun]

I think you will find that gate vales worth every additional penny you pay for them in situations where you want to adjust water flow. Ball valves are fine for full on or off use, but if you need to fine tune your water flow gate valves will give you far better control and are much less prone to sticking due to mineral deposits.

 

[Bogue Chitto]

I agree, go with gate valves.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

Another part you may consider is a union or two. Just in case you ever need to replace those valves. That way you don't have to replace the whole line.

I second the gate valves. I use them as well

 

[kmbyrnes]

Gate valves all the way.
You can build a manifold to run off your return.
There is not enough force in the drain to run a reactor.