You know when you’re a fish nerd when you get excited about a float valve. Look, I’ve flooded my house enough times to know that absolutely ANYTHING that’ll help prevent that from happening again, I’m all ears.
So when I discovered an industrial float valve that’s saltwater safe, I was jumping for joy. And every time I get to use one, it’s like I’m a kid again opening presents!
A company out of New Zealand, Jobe Valves, makes float valves that are designed to work with high pressure systems like our RODI units: the Topaz Differential. While we max out at around 100 psi, these valves are capable of handling up to 150 psi (10 bar)! The heavy duty construction means that when it shuts off, it will out-power your RODI unit and shut off the water.
Unlike your traditional aquarium float valves, the Topaz uses a weighted float to trigger the valve. The float is attached to a cord that’s attached to a valve arm at the top, with a weighted stainless steel stopper at the bottom and an upper stop. As the tank empties, the float travels down until it hits the bottom stop, pulling the valve open. The valve remains open, allowing the water to run and fill the tank. As the tank fills, the float travels upward until it hits the upper stop and which point the valve arm is lifted and the valve is closed.
As with all things epic and industrial, brace yourself for the price. They’re available Stateside from Tractor Supply, but maybe Saltwateraquarium.com will bring them in (hint, hint, Ken)?
The specs:
- Materials: Glass filled nylon, Acetal, polypropylene, EPDM, nitrile, HDPE, polyester, ABS, and 304 Stainless Steel.
- ~90 GPM flow (330 LPM)
- Available inlet sizes: 1/2″ (15mm), 3/4″ (20mm), 1″ (25mm), and 1.25″ (32mm)
- Price $269.99
If you end up adding one to your system, we’d love to see it in action: share some pics with us on social media.
