Am I the only one using old Kent float valves?

[Velodog2]

I gotta admit some exasperation reading about all the fancy, expensive ATO systems and all the excitement new ones on the market seem to generate. For at least 15 years I've used the very simple mechanical float valves that Kent used to sell with zero failures. Zero. I've used them in sumps and in top off reservoirs. I've even used them for some period of time in a line-pressure setup when I had to. At the height of my system insanity I had six in operation at one time.

I am often proved wrong in my assumptions, and have learned to be very careful in ignoring advice from others with experience, but I still don't understand why these don't seem to be more popular, and that worries me lol.
Mike

 

[robbrouse]

I have one of the Kent float Valves on my water collection can. It leeks and has since day one. Not sure what the issue is, but I'm so on top of filling my fresh and salt water cans I have not really worried about it.

 

[Velodog2]

Does it leak as in failing to shut off, or from the connections to the water supply? The bulkhead and water line connection can take some effort to get sealed.
Mike

 

[Velodog2]

Maybe I just have been lucky.

 

[robbrouse]

Maybe it needs to be tighter. Make me nervous going much tighter in it.. It has a drip the whole time it's running and when it's full a much faster drip.

 

[Velodog2]

Woohoo I'm the last one. No wonder they don't make them anymore :-)

 

[ReeferBen]

I use them on my fresh ro/di cans, to stop my cans from overflowing, they have never failed or leaked even after years of service. I wouldn't use them on a display.

I used them on a display in the past and had one fail, but as with most failures this could have been prevented by properly maintaining and inspecting the float valve. Algae, build up from kalk, etc need to be cleaned off if evident. Any damage to the valve and it should be replaced.

I also had a JBJ ATO fail, after over a year and a half of it giving me no problems.

I have used an original liter meter and also the LM3, and never had any issues even after being used with no maintenance for years.

Right now I am only running a nano, and am using a kent float valve in my fresh water reservoir and a Tunze ATO for the display. So far about 6 months in it has had no issues.

As with most things in reef keeping there are many ways to skin a cat. I know one thing, I'll never have a tank with out an ATO system.