Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Float valves, indexing valves, ball valves, swimming pool valves, so many valves I think I need to buy a valve. So I use the standard pvc ball valves for standard stuff, float valves for top-off and raingutter garden, and that was mostly it. Then I decided to build a 900 gallon pond in my backyard, but surrounded by a deck. So it's the lowest point in the system.

My original plan was a buried sump, but with all the GBs I planned I needed 500 gallons. Hmm, how to clean that out? So what does this have to do with valves? - wait for it. The 500 gallon sump was like a 5 foot diameter sphere that needed a 6 foot deep, 6 foot round hole. I didn't dig that. No sump.

So, how to keep a relatively steady level in my FT, while feeding 10 - 12 100 gal GBs? What happens when the power goes out?

So many choices - Indexing valve was my first thought. TCLynx has oodles of info she shared on these. I though this was the way to go. But I run a rff so my GB feeds are gravity, not pressurized. Index valve CAN work, but will they be reliable, what will be the flow reduction, what happens when it gets stuck...

Next thought was the spa valves, 24VDC actuator and a controller. Hmm, 3 way valve, 4 zones desired, expensive valve, expensive controller, hand build lots of stuff. I tinkered with one for a while...Nope.

I looked at so many solenoid valves and mechanically actuated ball valves and butterfly valves. OH MY GOD, most of these things are close to $200 and many are 4 - 500 bucks!!!! 4 zones...Nope.

FINALLY, I found a reasonably priced ball valve, 3/4" SS with 12VDC motor, $99. A little high but SOLD! I bought 4 and I'm using three with one spare for now.

Here is this one: http://www.smarthome.com/smarthome-select-electronic-water-shutoff-valve-3-4-inch-12v-dc.html

But then I found these too - Of course now they are everywhere and affordable:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FU3YD18/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&smid=A2773BE64UHP8Z&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OMOXZWA/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

I plan on trying these sometime this fall. I'll let you know how they work. The Smarthome valves are working VERY well and I like that they have a manual override.

But how do I control them? Think Christmas lights! No I'm not crazy (I keep repeating that to myself, my family isn't buying it).

I use a Light O Rama (LOR) 16 channel controller designed for synchronizing lights to music, timing events, etc. For the past month it has worked VERY well. Unfortunately it's designed for 120VAC, so I had to wire up a few relays and a 12VDC power supply (fancy speak for marine battery), but I already had these for my backup aeration.

Really, I'm not making this up. You can program "scenes" where you control up to 16 channel based on clock time. So I have a 1 hour scene programmed to run my pump, and alternate between each of three valves every 20 minutes. The scene repeats every hour. So if the power goes out, it will restart at the top of every hour. So far so good. I can provide more details and photos later if you like. I have 12 channels left. I gues I can time Christmas lights to a fountain or something with my fish.

Skip the brass one, stick with stainless steel

I've seen the industrial styles of these used on lots of things through work, be interesting to see how the "cheaper" ones work out long term

The lighting controller is a good idea

you couldnt use a plastic one that you would find in retic systems for lawn watering and the like? You can get four zone controllers for under $100, and the solenoids are about the same cost for a 25mm one.

Brass one looks like a diaphragm valve type, not ideal for passing solids and the pilot holes etc get clogged.

I think most of the cheap irrigation valves are a diaphragm style as well.

The advantage of the motorised one is it will open fully , so solids etc are not restricted.