Switching valves instead of Oceans Motions?

IANick

New member
Question...

I'm thinking of doing a double closed loop on my upcoming 200 plus gallon build. Only one loop will be active at a time. Is there a way to switch the flow from one loop to another? I'd like to control the switching from one loop to another with an Apex controller set for 6 hour and 12 minutes (the duration of an incoming or outgoing tide). I'm no expert plumber, so am only familiar with products directed at aquarists. As such, I had initially been thinking of an Oceans Motions 4 way, but that is two returns too many (and possibly too complicated to delay... The OM motor turns the drum once per minute which would switch from one loop to another far too fast for my envisioned application). But looking beyond products directed at aquarists, my preliminary research indicates that maybe something like an "electric actuated 3-way ball valve" might work. Does anyone have experience with these? Or suggestions for anything else that might work? Whatever is suggested, I want it to be quiet (silent preferably). The advantage of being able to switch from one loop to another is one less pump and less intakes cluttering the tank. Links or specific product suggestions would be apreciated, because I lost myself when trying to research this on my own (I didn't understand much of the terminology or application of the products researched). Thanks.
 
Well, I've mostly answered my own question. Further researching the matter, it certainly seems a Haward actuator with 3-way ball valve is the direction I need to go. But now that I have the generic answer, does anyone have any specific recommendations? There appear to be a wide variety of actuator models and valves and again, I'm not a plumber, so I'm a little lost. I want quiet and quality. Thoughts? Recommendations?
 
You know you might have a tough time with getting answers for this. I do a fair amount of reading here on rc and I really have not seen too many threads about this information. Good luck with this and I look foward to seeing what you come up with
 
Thanks Madean.

You're right... I haven't seen too much on this, although I've seen an oblique reference here and there. I'm pretty sure I'm on he right track for what I want to do, but some guidance from someone with experience with actuators would be great.
 
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