FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hi all
I was over at a mates and we were complaining to each other about how bad the airline manifolds and taps are.
They dont close up 100%
they have really bad air flow control etc etc

We tried to think of some manufacture names but pretty much decided that so far anything we tried was really cheap nasty and inadequate.

What do people use?

My 5footer
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2379/2242540621_1a81dcb3c8.jpg

I only use brass values, they are more expensive than the plastic ones. I bought a bunch of them in the early 80's so I can not tell you who the makers is, however if you really want to fine tune your air lines go with brass.

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

Can't recall the brand, but I like the nickel ones. There is one in the middle price range (and easier to find, which is quite a big issue IME) that works really well for a while and then not so much, so if I have to use plastic I'll go with cheapies and rig up my own splitters. That works much better for me as I can adjust tube lengths and corners etc in order to have a better natural flow to whatever areas/tanks I want.

There is a small benefit with them leaking though, in that if you haven't allowed enough air through the system, there is (albeit in a very small way) some release.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Hi,
I too use only brass valves. You can get them in
single outlets or in gangs running from 2 outlets to five.
When I needed more than 5 I simply joined two sets of
five.

Here is one outlet:
http://www.arcatapet.com/item.cfm?cat=6700

A search on Aquarium brass airline gang valves gave me
several choices and some included manufacturers names.

The "trick" with these valves is to keep the "O" Ring
soft, with a silicone spray. Use without a lubricant will
cause the ring to dry out and crack. Using an oil in some
cases causes the ring to become soft and mushy.

They last a lifetime with proper care.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I use a silicone jell you can get at swimming pool supply stores, It being air line and nothing to wash it a way or dry it out, I apply it 6 years ago to some of my valves and, they still work better than when I got them. very smooth but not loose threads on the valve.

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

I was into the hobby many years ago and I bought "nickel" valves at the time. When I got back into the hobby I dug the valves out only to find that they had rusted bad. I soaked them in Cola over night and learned that they were really brass. I now have a bunch of brass valves...

Thanks for that.
I post this for those that follow.

I did try the old irrigation taps as used on the 4mm irrigation lines. Two different types were available. Both suffered from lack of control. They are all 90deg turn only type valves. One was no good at all as it didnt close off and the difference between on and erm.. not off was useless.

I have some brass and some hopefully good plastic ones on the way.

My 5footer
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2379/2242540621_1a81dcb3c8.jpg