Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Does anyone use gate valves such as this?

http://www.amazon.com/Valterra-6301-Gate-Valve-White/dp/B000PR50YY/ref=pd_sim_328_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=06M2XCNQZY4ACZATP5DM



I realize gate valves are NOT intended for controlling flow, they are for on/off use, but I can see some areas where they might be useful. I find the normal PVC ball valves to be a real bear to turn sometimes. very "sticky".

Most of the commercial stuff I've watched suggests these over ball valves. Guys I'd trust too.

No experience of my own though!


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Gates are widely used in commercial process design, of course. The only real drawbacks are that :

1) they can bind under a high differential pressure, although this rarely happens
2) they do not throttle at all (if you try, you will damage the valve, then it will no longer seal)
3) if the face of the 'gate' has a recessed pocket (many do) then solids may accumulate and prevent the valve from opening fully. See #2 above.

They have their place, and are normally less expensive than a ball, as well as requiring less pipe length. They make an ideal shut off valve, as these small ones can often be closed very quickly, and with less torque on the pipework than trying to close a ball valve quickly.

Yep, got one on the inlet to my radial flow filter. Makes shut off for cleaning a breeze

Noticed Bear had one on his system today