Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

We went through this a fair while ago, someone devised a mod to make garden sprinkler solenoids work on low pressure, how effective this was I am not sure.

[quote="RupertofOZ"]Why use six valves.. when you can use one...

Thank you everyone for the advice, it seems the one that makes the most sense without having to rig too complicated of a system, I went ahead and purchased a 6 zone indexing valve, the pump comes with a 5 year warranty so I guess I shouldnt worry too much about having it on a timer. Thanks Rupert!

You look like you've purchased a rebranded sequential irrigation valve.... which will probably only operate with mains pressure...

Pity... you could have contacted TCL in Florida... and purchased the aquaponics valve.... which was specifically designed to work with most of the pumps we're likely to use in AP.... and would probably have been cheaper...

Agree, the solenoid valves have small orifice through which the water is passed to activate the valve.

not for use with dirty water.

Most commercial solenoid valves have one or two filters protecting the pilot and the diaphragm from getting muck in there. There are even valves that scrub the filter every time they're activated.

If you have a pump that produces enough pressure to ensure their activation - which would be a pump capable of a 10 psi/23' head, you could do it.

Edit: Netafim Series 80 solenoid valves only need 7psi/16' head.

In regards to using an indexing/hydroponic valve which requires flow interruption to cycle: I wonder if its harder on the pump to shutdown and restart, or to have a solenoid valve interrupt the flow for 2 seconds?

It's no harder on the pump to interrupt the flow... for a period of time... that you would be anyway in a timed system...

And no harder on the pump to interrupt the flow... by solenoid... or digital timer... for 2 seconds...

I would doubt many AP systems would be operating at more than 2m head ( 7')

and most would be at 1m head or less.

Does that mean that it is always changing, but the pressure of the water flow stops this process?
I just cant understand how something like this could work without the water doing the changing or electricity being involved.

Not having multiquote kind of sucks.

im running about a 2.5 metre head, i have a 7m head pump, maybe this is why my solenoids worked.

When the pump is on... the flow seats the valve into the cup receptacle.. leaving a single port exposed by a cut out in the valve.... thus all water flows out the one outlet port...

When flow is interrupted... the (spring loaded) valve stem rises... rotating a cam.... which positions the valve cut out above the next outlet valve in sequence...

Resumption of flow presses the valve stem down into the valve cup.... sealing all but the cut out/outlet port....

Simple as....

Thank you, i gathered there must be a spring there. So it is spring driven, not hydraulic. just to be a prick, lol

The valve in the photos is an original FIMCO (one of the only two worldwide manufacturer of INDEXING valve)!
If you want to operate with a low water pressure you only have to purchase the light spring and swap it on the disk diaphragm, which you can buy from the manufacturer (FIMCO , KRAIN/hydrotech)


There is no special AQAUAPONIC valve!
JUST A SALE PITCH!......specifically design!!!!

Sorry Bioaquafaerm...

But the manufacturer... myself, and another person ... who specifically modified the design for aquaponic purposes.... would have to disagree with you...

The aquaponics valve is not a standard Fimco or Krain irrigation valve..... in fact it has no connection with Krain at all...

It is not a standard stock item for either manufacturer... and is not sold as an irrigation valve....

Both companies clearly state that their valves operate within a pressure range... usually 25-75 PSI....

If you buy an irrigiation valve from either.... it will almost certainly require mains pressure to operate...

I know... because I checked them both out thoroughly years ago....

If you think that you can order an aquaponics valve from Krain... go right ahead... they probably wont know what you're talking about....

If you try and order an aquaponics valve from Fimco.... they'll re-direct your email to me...


P.S... you are right about the valve in the pic being a Fimco irrigation valve...

I have purchased one already!... and have been using KRAIN index valve for a year now.... and not from a main pressure unlike you believe, all I had to do is purchase a stem disk that would operate with a low pressure (choice of 3!) IT has been working fabulous ever since!

PS: I strongly suppose the aquaponic valve is produced by the same manufacturer as FIMCO, hence I think the AQUAPONIC VALVE is a rebranded product.

I am aware that Krain provides low pressure options for their irrigation valves to work with rainwater tank system pumps...

Fimco irrigation valves.... are manufactured by Fimco...

I tested both manufacturers valves many years ago... and found the Fimco valve to be superior in quality...

As to the use of sequential indexing valves in aquaponics... well Bioaqua... I've been running them for over 5 years.... in all sorts of configurations....

Out of curiousity BioAqua... what flow rate/pump do you use with your Krain valve?