valves vs hose restrictor clamps

[Swingline77]

I'm putting together a tank without a sump (for now), though I will have a chiller which will be "soft plumbed" with silicone tubing. In addition to this, the only other water flow through a tube that will have to have its flow via restriction will be a kalkwasser drip. I picked up a valve for the chiller loop. Given the lack of threaded connections on the pump I've chosen to use, my path will be, in part:
PUMP > TUBING > BARB > BALL VALVE > BARB > TUBING. I'm using a ball valve since I'm not concerned with precise regulation of flow. I was thinking that all of these parts might be unnecessary, and might even introduce an increased risk of failure. I could make/buy a tube restrictor clamp so that my path would be: PUMP > TUBING (with restrictor clamp). This seems so much simpler. My reservations in using a restrictor clamp are that the tubing might be compressed too much, and there might be an increased possibility of the clamp loosening up, allowing too much flow. I don't see the latter as being a significant issue relative to the lever on a ball valve being pushed out of position and causing too much flow, though I might be mistaken.

Also, I might be able to use a restrictor clamp on the kalkwasser drip as well. So, is there any disadvantage to using a restrictor clamp instead of a valve?

 

[Mark Bianco]

My .02 worth tubing is not made to squeezed to restrict flow. Over time you will have a failure either in the flow rate or the tube itself. If you use a ball valve the inside of the tube is supported by the barbs. Think of it this way all manufactures of motors use a spring tension clamp not an adjustable radiator style clamp for the fuel systems the reason being over time of being clamped the rubber/pvc will change. Temporally yes it will work long term it will eventually fail.

Mark

 

[Swingline77]

Thanks, this settles it then.