Blog Comments

Awesome thanks for confirming this.

I second that. My Mag 7 is 1/2 inch on the output and I have 1 inch PVC all the way up to the loc-line for my return. It runs cooler with less restriction.

Yes, that is absolutely true. Going smaller will restrict that pump; it will run hotter; and it will not produce the promised GPH through narrower ID pipe. Go larger, and then reduce it down where you must (at the bulkhead, or at the top of the tank where the water pours back in).

After consulting with some local DIY gurus it doesn't look like my original idea will work. I need whats called a L port valve. And if they are mechanically controlled they are too expensive. So now I'm on to doing a completely independent control setup.
I'll be sure to do the build thread when the time is right!

We need an update to this mysterious project.

Phone call incoming Eric! Glad to see you are here!

@ Mockery call me when you get a chance as I need you to explain to me what you are doing again. I have another type of valve that might work and is saltwater safe.......

Originally Posted by B-Rad

The problem with the sprinkler valves is the flow restrictions. You will need a pump that has lots of head pressure for it to work.

He is correct, you would need atleast 20 P.S.I. for the diaphram to even have a chance to shut down, and that may not be enough to work correctly, they typically operate at 40 P.S.I. and higher.

I've got a genx PC 40X that does about 1200gph and max head is like 26 feet. So pump pressure is not a problem.

The problem with the sprinkler valves is the flow restrictions. You will need a pump that has lots of head pressure for it to work.

@T5FL If you could do a field test that would be amazing!! If not it looks like this project is dead before it even gets going.

Everything in the irrigation valve is plastic with a rubber diaphram, the metering rod and spring will be stainless steel. Ive been doing irrigation for 13 years and taken apart and installed hundreds of valves and dont ever remember seeing any one of them with a rusty metering rod or spring. Ill have to put a spring in saltwater as an experiment.

I worked for HD plumbing a while back sold many of those irrigation valves. They have stainless steel shaft and are great for freshwater uses, but for salt I doubt, The one thing that I feel that would fail and be a disaster would be the top where the solenoid sets, it is held in with standard screws and is gasketed. the gaskets fail here all the time , so we sell the replacements for it. I wouldnt trust it myself.

I defiantly will post a build here. And I was reading that stainless will break down in saltwater after a while so I think I'm going to have to go a different route, which is really expensive.

As long as there's not metal except stainless steel in contact with the water, I don't see why it shouldn't work.

Now, you going to tell us what you're building?

added my two cents!

Filled it out!

Survey completed.

I set this to Random Thoughts because it was just that.

Thanks.
The reasoning behind the nem basket is really to prevent to problem your having. In my experiences every time I've bought a GBTA or RBTA from a store, they like to cruse and not eat food. This way it in the basket, they can't go anywhere and I can feed him and train him to not move. Kinda sounds weird training a nem but it works IMO.