This is why no ball valves.....

[litenyaup]

After pulling my sump to clean it out I was filling it and scrubbing. After I was done I tried to open the ball valve to drain it and it was stuck. Sump was in use for 4 1/2 years and never used it. I guess too much force was applied and it cracked the sump and blew out the wall. Live and learn I guess, NO MORE BALL VALVES FOR ME!!!

 

[Robink]

After pulling my sump to clean it out I was filling it and scrubbing. After I was done I tried to open the ball valve to drain it and it was stuck. Sump was in use for 4 1/2 years and never used it. I guess too much force was applied and it cracked the sump and blew out the wall. Live and learn I guess, NO MORE BALL VALVES FOR ME!!!

That's terrible!!!

 

[RyanCSGO]

dangggg sorry to see this.
try gate valves instead. much more reliable and accurate tuning as well.

 

[Mal11224]

That is horrible. I have ball valves but I turn them every time I clean. They can be stubborn. Gate valves are the way to go. Sorry to hear..

 

[akarusso]

You cant use the white pvc ball valves. You have to use the cepex gray union ball valves

 

[Ty Hamatake]

dude if that had been me I may very well have smashed what was left. I applaud your self control.

 

[litenyaup]

dude if that had been me I may very well have smashed what was left. I applaud your self control.

It's funny you say that...... the only reason I didn't smash the tar out of it is to get the dimensions for my new one.

 

[rabbithazen]

Acrylic shouldn't come apart like that. It's probably just bad quality control.

 

[Greybeard]

Like any moving part, if you don't actuate it once in a while, it will seize up. Better quality ball valves will probably stay free longer, but they'll all seize eventually. Working ball valves back and forth a few times is part of my monthly maintenance.

 

[KorL]

Bummer. The cheaper ball valves are definitely tougher to turn, sometimes requiring two hands. Best to spend extra money on the better quality ball valves. Can't remember the brand that I use, but they can be turned fairly easily with one hand

 

[KJAG]

Bummer. The cheaper ball valves are definitely tougher to turn, sometimes requiring two hands. Best to spend extra money on the better quality ball valves. Can't remember the brand that I use, but they can be turned fairly easily with one hand

Yep. Those big box store cheap valves should never be used on a tank. It's adviseable to have a solid grip strength and bicep curl regimen in place before even attempting to open a brand new one on the shelf of Home Depot. Always use Spears or similar quality.

 

[KorL]

Just checked, I have the GF George Fischer ball valves. They're pricey, but are so easy to turn

 

[litenyaup]

Acrylic shouldn't come apart like that. It's probably just bad quality control.

I actually built my entire setup about 6 years ago. Never any issues with it leaking. The only reason I had it out and cleaning it was because I'm rebuilding everything under my tank and am getting rid of the original stuff. It didn't come apart at the glue joints the acrylic cracked down the middle of the face. Looking back I was twisting the ball valve pretty hard.

 

[litenyaup]

It is likely very easily repaired? It appears it came out as one solid piece,, you can't weld "used" acrylic nearly like you can new, but I am sure it would still be fine for a sump. Could always laminate it with another thin sheet for protection. Just pick up some weld-on for $6 and fix it in 10minutes.

If there are like 1000 pieces,, that's another story

No not worth repairing unless someone local wants it to try and mess with. I'm re building everything under my tank so I was upset but not the end of the world.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Sorry man! UGH!

 

[Sleepydoc]

I had a cheap Home Despot PVC ball valve for my return line. Closed it weekly for water changes but it steadily got harder and harder to turn. Finally replaced it with a Cepex ball valve from BRS. What a difference! Plus, it's connected with unions so you can easily remove it and clean it or even disassemble it if necessary.

 

[scriptmonkey]

I had a cheap Home Despot PVC ball valve for my return line. Closed it weekly for water changes but it steadily got harder and harder to turn. Finally replaced it with a Cepex ball valve from BRS. What a difference! Plus, it's connected with unions so you can easily remove it and clean it or even disassemble it if necessary.

Cepex makes good valves, used them on a irrigation project as well.

 

[litenyaup]

dang they are pricy!!

 

[scriptmonkey]

Yeah....still cheaper than a sump. Plus I like the ability to rebuild them if possible.

 

[litenyaup]

Yeah....still cheaper than a sump. Plus I like the ability to rebuild them if possible.

Very true lol