Ball valve or Gate valve?

Re-plumbing things with a new pump and building a manifold. I don't like the ball valves too much since they seem really hard to turn. So I'm leaning toward gate valves. Any drawbacks for them? Probably wouldn't be a problem if I had a fish room but I have to reach into tight places under the cabinet to turn them.

 

Gate valves offer better flow volume control and are better in one aspect But their draw back is they will often have sediment to build up in the gateway of the body and when it needs to be 100% closed off it won't shut down a 100% because of the sediment under the gate. And if left closed to long the gates can and do snap off from the stems.. If you do use a gate get a good one a Charlotte or Jenkins or Spear's

 

Ok thanks

 

only down side I could find with gate valves was trying to find PVC ones locally.

~Will.

 

Check with a local Grainger's warehouse for gate valves. They should have good prices and can order them for you if not in stock. It will generally be much cheaper than most aquarium related sites sell for.
Ball valves can be closed quicker in an emergency situation, that's their one upside.

 

Ok.. went with the ball valves. Thanks for the info.

 

You cannot throttle a gate valve, but you can with a ball valve. I would really stick with the ball valve. But I'm sure it will be fine either way, good luck.

 

The complet opposite is true. Ball valves have poor flow control. No where near linear. PVC ones are worse because they stick, not very smooth. What they are designed for is quick acting open and closed isolation valves with zero restriction at 100% open.

Gate valves are designed to control flow. There are better valves that will do a better job of that, but it is what they are for. Their design is to offer good flow control and 100% flow at wide open. They do not have restrictions like a globe or needle valve. They have the flow control of a globe, and the zero restriction of a ball.

 

Maybe not PVC, but in the engineering world, it is a big no-no,

google searched " throttling gate valve "

first link: Gate Valves

"Gate valves are not suitable for throttling purposes. The control of flow is difficult because of the valve’s design, and the flow of fluid slapping against a partially open gate can cause extensive damage to the valve. Except as specifically authorized, gate valves should not be used for throttling."

 

Depends on the gate. They are suitable for flow control. If you need good flow control, globes are prefered. The primary advantage of gates is their non restriction at wide open. If that was all you needed, a ball would do. Gates are used when some throttling is desired.

I've been working in the "engineering world" and turning valves for over 20 years. I don't need Google.