How to plumb calcium reactor off sump return

smokinreefer · #1 03-10-2014, 06:02 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions and tips.
I'll try make it out to a plumbing store soon.

Thinking, put in a bushing, gate valve, another bushing down to 1/4" and then a JG type connector...

TimT · #2 03-10-2014, 08:25 PM

I used bushings and had a JG fitting that screwed into the bushing. Worked fine for years. The JG ball valves are not the best for fine adjustments. I used to run my reactor wide open so it wasn't an issue. Now I don't run a reactor and I sleep better at night... LoL.

Cheers,
Tim

StirCrazy · #3 03-12-2014, 10:51 PM

the only issue is by using a ball valve you don't have a very good adjustability as its oening is not linear, try find a "flow controle valve" which idealy would be a needle valve or in worst case a diaphram or gate valve (last two not really flow control valves but still better than using aball valve)

Steve

smokinreefer · #4 03-13-2014, 01:04 AM

Ok so I used a bushing to drop to 1/2"
Then threaded in a 1/2 to 1/4" quick connect

Now all I need is the valve...
I have a JG ball valve, but from all the input here, looks like what I need is a needle valve.

Now I've sourced out some, but all from the US. And these things aren't cheap!
$20-25USD +shipping...

Any ideas for a local source?
I'll call Sheret tomorrow.

Aquattro · #5 03-13-2014, 01:20 AM

I use a JG ball valve, no issues at all. Output from the reactor is controlled via an irrigation drip valve, and that provides more than enough control.

mark · #6 03-13-2014, 03:43 AM

the setup in my picture was all I had to feed my reactor and used the small JG type ball valve for control

StirCrazy · #7 03-13-2014, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I use a JG ball valve, no issues at all. Output from the reactor is controlled via an irrigation drip valve, and that provides more than enough control.

ya, that.. the drip valves are a cheep needle type valve. on the output is fine, and a ball valve on the input is fine as long as your just using it as a on/off or don't need fine control, I regulated my reactor at the input, not the output.

Steve

smokinreefer · #8 03-14-2014, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I use a JG ball valve, no issues at all. Output from the reactor is controlled via an irrigation drip valve, and that provides more than enough control.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

you just saved me $20!

and also reminded me how bad my memory is lol.

I used an irrigation drip valve on the output of my last calcium reactor set up years ago...

daplatapus · #9 03-15-2014, 09:01 PM

Not sure if you got one yet do do what your looking for, but this is what I used. Also used for drip irrigation and it simply threads onto 1/2" PVC. The one I got splits into 4 - 1/4" ports but there are ones that split to 2 ,4 or 8 I believe. I just got it at Home Hardware.