Never use cheap ball valves

[Ocelaris]

Broke my second ball valve in my water changing station in 3 years. It was in the exact same spot, in the return going into the top of the salt water holding tank. I suspect it was cavitation after the pump that lead to minerals coming out of solution, as before the pump was never an issue. I learned my lesson and ponied up for all new ball valves, although I probably could have waited and replaced just a few which were getting hard to turn.

I hacked them out and was able to swap them in with the Cepex ball valves as the new ones were a tad longer. I had to replace a few pieces here and there, but in general was able to leave the main plumbing intact. I also took the opportunity to make myself a second feed from the fresh water source up top to feed an ato.

Just wanted to share my observations.

 

[ca1ore]

YES …. bought a bunch of those cheap red flag ball valves and they all ended up leaking. Absolute garbage. I now only use the true-union cepex ones (form BRS). Just not worth it to save $15.

 

[Ocelaris]

I've even looked around to see if I can source them cheaper than brs, but it was $&#%$& complicated, so brs it is. It's nice that they're unions too so they can be swapped out as well. My wife freaked out at the price of the 1.5" valves for the tank, and I figured I'd get away with the cheap ones for the water changing station, but no dice. Realistically on the rodi side it would have been fine, but at that point its only 2 of 8 left to swap.

 

[JoshH]

I've even looked around to see if I can source them cheaper than brs, but it was $&#%$& complicated, so brs it is. It's nice that they're unions too so they can be swapped out as well. My wife freaked out at the price of the 1.5" valves for the tank, and I figured I'd get away with the cheap ones for the water changing station, but no dice. Realistically on the rodi side it would have been fine, but at that point its only 2 of 8 left to swap.

I think the pricing on cepex valves is pretty standard across the board. There are a couple places that have them cheaper than BRS but you have to pay for shipping so it's pretty much a wash at that point. Plus you earn points with BRS so there's that added bonus.

 

[ca1ore]

It's true, the 1 1/2" cepex does get a bit pricy - tell your wife it'll last a lifetime and you got two sets of flanges!!!

 

[Ocelaris]

It's true, the 1 1/2" cepex does get a bit pricy - tell your wife it'll last a lifetime and you got two sets of flanges!!!

I know, but she knows her plumbing for work and laughs at the size plumbing we use for our fish tanks, says it's way over sized. But... It works.