Where to get gate valve mod?

all-apologies · #1 07/22/2007, 02:06 PM

i have an RS5-3 and need a gate valve mod.

thanks,

all-apologies · #2 07/22/2007, 02:07 PM

or i can build it, but how...?

Kaos · #3 07/22/2007, 03:29 PM

Your best bet is to go to Ace hardware and get a gate valve and pvc. That's what I did and it cost me less then $20 (if I remeber right). If you order it online from an aquarium store it's going to cost like $30 or more.

hansmatt · #4 07/22/2007, 04:23 PM

I have a 5-3 too. I had to order the gate from usplastics, nobody had plastic/pvc ones locally. It was around $18, 5'pvc/fittings from HD another $, ability to fine tune type of skimmate...priceless!
A word of warning...the gatevalve that I got is HUGE, 8-9' tall, but it works fine...also the white pvc contrasts with the grey of the skimmer, oh well!

all-apologies · #5 07/22/2007, 04:49 PM

ok thanks,

how does it attach and do you need to make some kind of exit for the clean water.

Does the gate valve get placed on its side or directly on top of the exit tube?

Any Pics?

thanks,

hansmatt · #6 07/23/2007, 06:56 AM

I put a 2-3" pvc section up from the existing riser tube, then a T, a coupler to join the T to the gatevalve, another coupler connected to a 90elbow pointing down, then a 4-5" pvc section to drain below the water line. there is a short pvc section going straight up from T. Again, the only issue is that my gate is realllllly big, but is works great and I don't care about the asthetics in it's location.