Gate or Ball

[JoelF]

Does it matter whether or not you use a gate valve or a ball valve as the output from your skimmer? Everyone talks gate, I just switched mine over to a ball valve (the gate was toast)..Any differecnces?

[Gujustud]

From what I've heard, and read, that ball valves have 2 options. FULL OPEN, or FULL CLOSE. You shouldn't be using them for in between.

Gate valves are used for everything from open to close. Also they allow the water to flow out better without any backpressure.

[Aquattro]

Gate valves have a lot more control than ball valves. Ball are for on/off use, not fine adjustments.

[JoelF]

but I am able to adjust the flow, they are not just off and on, so why not??? It still obviously creates backpressure, I dont understand what would be the difference.

[Canadian Man]

I use a ball valve on my skimmer and it works great. Now that I have it adjusted I never touch it and it's fine.


BALLS = Cheep
GATES= $$$$$$$

[Dale D]

I use a ball valve on my skimmer and it works fine. I adjusted it when I first set up the skimmer about a year ago and haven't touched it since.

[StirCrazy]

the gate valve gives you a finer control of your discharge than a ball valve.

Steve

[JoelF]

In what way though Steve?

[Aquattro]

I think I paid about $5 more for the gate than a ball was worth, and the gate gives more precise control over output adjustment. This controls the water height inside the skimmer. In the big scheme of things, the additinal cost was llittle more than a scarlet hermit + tax.

[JoelF]

its not about the $$$, just seeing if there was a real difference in performance. Maybe I'll buy a gate and a hermit crab..spend some real BLING, BLING