is it ok to ball valve my pump?

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by skiergd011013, Apr 23, 2010.

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  1. skiergd011013

    skiergd011013 Peppermint Shrimp

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    Nov 5, 2009
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    i just had my tank drilled and my mag 5 pump is returning too much water for the overflow to keep up with. i need to put a ball valve on the pump and throttle it back some. i have heard from some it is FINE to do...and from others it will kill the pump. i have to do it i cant run the system without it. what do you guys think?
     
    skiergd011013, Apr 23, 2010
    skiergd011013, Apr 23, 2010
    #1

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  2. reefmonkey

    reefmonkey Giant Squid

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    IMO it's better to put a tee in the line at the pump and put the valve off of the tee. You get the same flow control and absolutely no backpressure on the pump. Where as a valve in line with the pump causes backpressure that has the potential to destroy the pump or worse just make the pump overheat which transfers to your water can destroy your livestock.
     
    reefmonkey, Apr 23, 2010
    reefmonkey, Apr 23, 2010
    #2
  3. gabbagabbawill

    gabbagabbawill Pajama Cardinal

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    tee it off like reefmonkey said and run the tee to your sump, with the valve on the end going into the sump...
     
    gabbagabbawill, Apr 23, 2010
    gabbagabbawill, Apr 23, 2010
    #3
  4. ingtar_shinowa

    ingtar_shinowa Giant Squid

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    pro play. wish i had done that.... i guess I still can... hmmm
     
    ingtar_shinowa, Apr 23, 2010
    ingtar_shinowa, Apr 23, 2010
    #4