WTB - 1.5" single union ball valve
- Thread starter hipertec
- Start date
gemini aquarius(t)
Always Learning
ask My F1sh R D34D!
i think he might have one
i think he might have one
ReefMeister2
Premium Member
I used numerous Lowe's union ballvalves in both 1.5" and 2", both on my own tank and client's tanks. There is nothing wrong with the design. I can almost guarantee you that if you take the ball assembly out that you'll find one of the nylon ring-bushings missing from their seats. There should be one on each side of the ball, where the ball makes contact (and seals water out) when it rotates. They are clear and hard to see if you are not looking for them.
There should also be a black o-ring on the removable portion of the union.
These things easily get lost when previous customers play around with them. They take them apart to see how they work.... the rings fall out.....a clueless employee puts it back together, sans the ring(s)..... back on the shelf it goes....'till someone else comes along (you)....and away it goes, to a nice, new, leaky home.
Go back and get another ballvalve. They are damn cheap (~$10)compared to anything else even remotely similar, so don't sweat it. The next one will be fine. But hey, don't forget to take it apart and play with it first... just to see how it works!
There should also be a black o-ring on the removable portion of the union.
These things easily get lost when previous customers play around with them. They take them apart to see how they work.... the rings fall out.....a clueless employee puts it back together, sans the ring(s)..... back on the shelf it goes....'till someone else comes along (you)....and away it goes, to a nice, new, leaky home.
Go back and get another ballvalve. They are damn cheap (~$10)compared to anything else even remotely similar, so don't sweat it. The next one will be fine. But hey, don't forget to take it apart and play with it first... just to see how it works!
ReefMeister2
Premium Member
Forgot to mention:
My Lowe's ballvalve is the "star of the show" in this thread:
(the one with the white handle)
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=579223
Or you can also see it dead-center in this picture (kinda like "Where's Waldo" haha)
And so anyway.....(just ramdom thoughts, Reefmeister style)
Why is it that people always want to see pictures? It's like you don't even have credibility unless you have pictures. As a matter of fact, I end up being a picture whore. Oh what the heck, I might as well be pimpin' out my pictures. Yeeeep, that be me.....the Perpetual Picture Pimp! :bum:
(LOL mannn, I REALLY gotta get away from this computer some times)
My Lowe's ballvalve is the "star of the show" in this thread:
(the one with the white handle)
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=579223
Or you can also see it dead-center in this picture (kinda like "Where's Waldo" haha)
And so anyway.....(just ramdom thoughts, Reefmeister style)
Why is it that people always want to see pictures? It's like you don't even have credibility unless you have pictures. As a matter of fact, I end up being a picture whore. Oh what the heck, I might as well be pimpin' out my pictures. Yeeeep, that be me.....the Perpetual Picture Pimp! :bum:
(LOL mannn, I REALLY gotta get away from this computer some times)
Last edited:
hipertec
Active member
Reefmeister,
thanks for the great explanation. the clear/whitish seals are there. A matter of fact, the white handle ones are the ones I have. I love the design since its compact and easy to turn. and costs less than $8.00! I just cant believe there is a slow leak.
How do u like the one in your system with the white handle?
Should I give it another try and try to replace. Its just if it leaks again, I have to pruchase other parts to get it done again.
thanks for the great explanation. the clear/whitish seals are there. A matter of fact, the white handle ones are the ones I have. I love the design since its compact and easy to turn. and costs less than $8.00! I just cant believe there is a slow leak.
How do u like the one in your system with the white handle?
Should I give it another try and try to replace. Its just if it leaks again, I have to pruchase other parts to get it done again.
ReefMeister2
Premium Member
Yes, at that price, by all means. At only $8 each, they are an awesome bargain.
I suspect then that someone dropped your valve on the hard concrete floor at Lowe's and misaligned the ball valve. (before you purchased it)
I'm assuming you were careful to not get any PVC glue anywhere near the seals? It's hard to tell when inserting the pipe and concentrating on the outside to see what's oozing around on the inside of the valve. If glue even touched the seals it may be enough to create a leak.
The True Union valves are minimum $30 and up and rarely available at a brick-n-mortar store. Which means you have to order on the internet, pay shipping, wait to recieve it, etc.
I've never had any problems with mine at all....and as you can tell, I've done some significant modifications to it.
thank you for the compliment
Kevin
I suspect then that someone dropped your valve on the hard concrete floor at Lowe's and misaligned the ball valve. (before you purchased it)
I'm assuming you were careful to not get any PVC glue anywhere near the seals? It's hard to tell when inserting the pipe and concentrating on the outside to see what's oozing around on the inside of the valve. If glue even touched the seals it may be enough to create a leak.
The True Union valves are minimum $30 and up and rarely available at a brick-n-mortar store. Which means you have to order on the internet, pay shipping, wait to recieve it, etc.
I've never had any problems with mine at all....and as you can tell, I've done some significant modifications to it.
thank you for the compliment
Kevin
