David Abbott
Active Member
Can brass gate valves be used in saltwater tanks??
Brass gate valves
- Thread starter David Abbott
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Brass is made from copper and zinc, I don't know if any of the copper would leach out into your tank but I would personally avoid it. Plus brass is heavy and typically expensive
mfinn
likes zoanthids
No, don't use brass. Pvc is the one you want.
You may be able to get away with it, but I think you would be safer just to stick with true and tested plastic spears gate valves.
WVNed
The fish are staring at me with hungry eyes.
That it would seize and be shortly useless.
Stainless is a term for a bunch of steels of various alloys. It isn't one thing. Some would last longer than others but they would all corrode.
Stainless is a term for a bunch of steels of various alloys. It isn't one thing. Some would last longer than others but they would all corrode.
GThompson
Active Member
Thanks for the replies so quickly. I really don’t care for the plastic ball valves due to how hard they are to adjust. So I believe I’ll get oversized gate valves and reduce them down to the size I need
Sailingeric
Valuable Member
I tried ball valves, they are a pain, I like my gate value since I can really find tune my overflow to the sump. A little more but worth it.
Halal Hotdog
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PVC and plastics are definitely your friend when it comes to plumbing a reef tank. I would avoid all metals except titanium. Also gate valves are far superior to ball valves IMO. A lot of people use ball valves to regulate how much flow is going through, but they are not great for that. Gates are perfect to limiting flow through plumbing.
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Gate valve all the way, they are super easy to tune and super quiet. You may be able to get some on here, if you post under want to buy. I don't remember who, but someone had a bunch for sale on here recently.
David Abbott
Active Member
Thanks for the reply. Me being here in panama i can buy a 1" brass gate valve for about $7 BRS sells them /plastic/ for around $30 plus the shipping to get it here $15. plus the VAT tax of 7%. That's why I'm asking.
GThompson
Active Member
That’s why I chimed in. I’m in Mobile and the brass and stainless are easier to come by and almost as cheap
David Abbott
Active Member
I'm in Panama central america, long way from Mobile Al. LOL
GThompson
Active Member
Saw that. Lol. Still sticking with my story though. Lol. I work for a company that buys these things all the time so I get pretty good deals on them.
Coastie Reefer
Valuable Member
This is what you want!
WVNed
The fish are staring at me with hungry eyes.
I have used ball valves a lot. To make fine adjustments take something heavy and tap the handle in the direction you want it to go. Yes gate valves are easier but both do work. The tank I just built has some of each.
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I worked with Brass 26 yrs and seen it corrode in plain water. Absolute No-NO
David Abbott
Active Member
Well as the old sayin goes........a pic. is worth a thousand words THANKS for the heads upNo
brass after 96 hours in saltwater
