Gate valve on single drain?

[Kristonenicolas]

I'm currently using the Xaqua INOUT overflow kit that uses a single drain. The water level in my DT is lower than I'd like so I was thinking of installing a gate valve raise the level a bit. I know there's a risk of flooding if the drain were to become blocked but I was wondering if anyone here uses a gate valve on their drain and if they've encountered any problems. TIA!

 

[Seanislav]

I'm currently using the Xaqua INOUT overflow kit that uses a single drain. The water level in my DT is lower than I'd like so I was thinking of installing a gate valve raise the level a bit. I know there's a risk of flooding if the drain were to become blocked but I was wondering if anyone here uses a gate valve on their drain and if they've encountered any problems. TIA!

I have an overflow with three drains, two have gate valves and one is unregulated as an emergency drain. If your desire is to raise the tank's water level, you might consider just building up the height of your drain inside the overflow box with a little extra PVC or something similar. That way, if you have mobile inverts (snails are notorious overflow blockers) or even a good sized wad of algae get into your drain, you won't run the risk of tank overflow and/or equipment burnout from lack of water in your sump.

 

[bluprntguy]

Don't. Do. It.

 

[Gareth elliott]

I would not install a gate valve if there is not an emergency drain. If i had too, perhaps a Reef Octopus return with the float valve in the overflow? Even then i dont trust float valves enough for this application.

 

[ca1ore]

Yeah, you really don’t want to do that as it eliminates any reserve drain capacity. If you want to raise the level in the display, and assuming you use an overflow box, just attach a strip of plastic to block the bottom of the overflow teeth.

 

[Reef AquaCult]

Do NOT do it!! Guaranteed flood

 

[Kristonenicolas]

Yeah, you really don’t want to do that as it eliminates any reserve drain capacity. If you want to raise the level in the display, and assuming you use an overflow box, just attach a strip of plastic to block the bottom of the overflow teeth.

That's an awesome idea, thanks!

 

[Nperry86]

I have a dc pump and when I turn it up it will raise the water in my DT. Definitely don’t use a valve on a single. You could convert your tank to a herbie by using your return line as a drain and piping up and over for your returns.

 

[Kristonenicolas]

I have a dc pump and when I turn it up it will raise the water in my DT. Definitely don’t use a valve on a single. You could convert your tank to a herbie by using your return line as a drain and piping up and over for your returns.

not a bad idea either

 

[ca1ore]

I have a dc pump and when I turn it up it will raise the water in my DT. Definitely don’t use a valve on a single. You could convert your tank to a herbie by using your return line as a drain and piping up and over for your returns.

You want to be careful about that too. If a single open channel drain starts to ‘flush’ that means you are approaching the drain capacity.