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  1. #1
    Senior Member Rank = Yonsai HCairns's Avatar
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    Float valve top-up

    I want to add a float valve connected to a tap via a dechlorinator to top up from evaporation and filter cleans. However I can’t fit the valve in my filtration as it’s a gravity fed eazypod, and there is nowhere suitable in there as the level fluctuates dependant on how clean the K1 is.

    Does anyone have any pictures of ballcock/torbeck valves fitted in the actual pond itself for inspiration? I want to keep it as neat as possible...


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  3. #2
    Senior Member Rank = Grand Champion RoyLittle0's Avatar
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    Maybe FrimlyKoi is you man for this one, I think he is setting one up at the minute, obviously copy his ideas not his plumbing skills


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  5. #3
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion Frimley Koi keeper's Avatar
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    What I have done is fit a standard part 1 float valve to the side of my pond and then fed it from a 3 canister dechlorinator filter using 15mm JG speed fit pipe work and fittings. Due to the design of my pond I just drilled through the side wall fitted the valve after working out the desired height I wanted to be able to fill the pond up to then stuck a 1/2" angled valve which had a male thread on the bottom and a female thread on the top which was basically a free spinning nut and that screwed straight onto the thread of the float valve. From the bottom of the elbow I fitted a 1/2" female JG speed fit adapter and then the 15mm JG speed fit pipe.

    On the old 3 canister filter I used some reducers to connect the mains water to the filter and then some more reducers to connect 15mm JG speed fit pipe. I recently change the 3 canister filter to a bigger version and had to fit some bigger reducers etc and currently the inlet and outlet connections are leaking. I think I need to add some more PTFE tape to the threads on the inlet and outlet fittings?

    I also put an inline tap just before the new filter to control the flow but that just raises the water pressure through the filter etc so require a pressure regulator.

    If I can find any photos I'll stick them on here for you or if not try and take some.

    You basically alter your pipework and fittings to suite how you attach your float valve to the side of your pond as required and if you require a slight tweak on the height of the float you can try the same as I did and just give the bar a slight bend. Just make sure you remove the valve from the side of the pond before trying to bend the bar. I stuck mine between a couple of branches on a tree which allowed me to bend it easily. I had 2 attempts and think I should have stopped on the first as now the water level is too high so may need to readjust it.

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  7. #4
    Senior Member Rank = Yonsai HCairns's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Frimley Koi keeper View Post
    What I have done is fit a standard part 1 float valve to the side of my pond and then fed it from a 3 canister dechlorinator filter using 15mm JG speed fit pipe work and fittings. Due to the design of my pond I just drilled through the side wall fitted the valve after working out the desired height I wanted to be able to fill the pond up to then stuck a 1/2" angled valve which had a male thread on the bottom and a female thread on the top which was basically a free spinning nut and that screwed straight onto the thread of the float valve. From the bottom of the elbow I fitted a 1/2" female JG speed fit adapter and then the 15mm JG speed fit pipe.

    On the old 3 canister filter I used some reducers to connect the mains water to the filter and then some more reducers to connect 15mm JG speed fit pipe. I recently change the 3 canister filter to a bigger version and had to fit some bigger reducers etc and currently the inlet and outlet connections are leaking. I think I need to add some more PTFE tape to the threads on the inlet and outlet fittings?

    I also put an inline tap just before the new filter to control the flow but that just raises the water pressure through the filter etc so require a pressure regulator.

    If I can find any photos I'll stick them on here for you or if not try and take some.

    You basically alter your pipework and fittings to suite how you attach your float valve to the side of your pond as required and if you require a slight tweak on the height of the float you can try the same as I did and just give the bar a slight bend. Just make sure you remove the valve from the side of the pond before trying to bend the bar. I stuck mine between a couple of branches on a tree which allowed me to bend it easily. I had 2 attempts and think I should have stopped on the first as now the water level is too high so may need to readjust it.
    Nice one, thanks!


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  8. #5
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    Unless you either want to paint the float itself or can hide it under something it's going to stand out as the only float colour I found was orange although as it's been in there so long the bit that's in the water is going a dark green but some Aquasource Resolve is due to go in the pond which removes that

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  10. #6
    Senior Member Rank = Yonsai HCairns's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Frimley Koi keeper View Post
    Unless you either want to paint the float itself or can hide it under something it's going to stand out as the only float colour I found was orange although as it's been in there so long the bit that's in the water is going a dark green but some Aquasource Resolve is due to go in the pond which removes that
    That was my thinking behind the torbeck valve. You can get side entry ones essentially the same as what you’ve used, only much more compact. I’ve seen them used in nexus and drum filters. I can’t see why I couldn’t use essentially the same plumbing system as you, just with a smaller valve on the end! Maybe I’m missing something haha


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  12. #7
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    Been there, done it, got the T shirt and then removed it and went back to the standard float valve lol

    Yes it fits the same fittings but my issue with it was the inverted cup that acts as the float could be too easily knocked off by any reasonable sized fish and then you're buggered cause your pond overflows lol not that mine overflowed as I turned the water supply off over night until I was happy that I could trust the system. Also I was worried that with the splashing of the water the air trapped under the float could be pushed out by water being splashed around by the fish and then your potentially buggered again with your max top up level and potentially overflowing your pond.

    I thought I'd cracked it when I found one of those Torpek valves as they were silent filling, low profile and unobtrusive. And then I fitted it, the rest is history just like my Torpek valve lol

    If you could fit something round the valve to protect it from getting the float knocked off you would solve one issue but would need a good rethink to get over the possibly of the float filling with water? Maybe you could cap the bottom of the float cup?

    Good luck and I'd be interested to know how you get on

    Looks like I'll have to take a few photos of how I did mine just to give you a better idea?

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  14. #8
    Senior Member Rank = Yonsai HCairns's Avatar
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    Float valve top-up

    Quote Originally Posted by Frimley Koi keeper View Post
    Been there, done it, got the T shirt and then removed it and went back to the standard float valve lol

    Yes it fits the same fittings but my issue with it was the inverted cup that acts as the float could be too easily knocked off by any reasonable sized fish and then you're buggered cause your pond overflows lol not that mine overflowed as I turned the water supply off over night until I was happy that I could trust the system. Also I was worried that with the splashing of the water the air trapped under the float could be pushed out by water being splashed around by the fish and then your potentially buggered again with your max top up level and potentially overflowing your pond.

    I thought I'd cracked it when I found one of those Torpek valves as they were silent filling, low profile and unobtrusive. And then I fitted it, the rest is history just like my Torpek valve lol

    If you could fit something round the valve to protect it from getting the float knocked off you would solve one issue but would need a good rethink to get over the possibly of the float filling with water? Maybe you could cap the bottom of the float cup?

    Good luck and I'd be interested to know how you get on

    Looks like I'll have to take a few photos of how I did mine just to give you a better idea?
    Some pictures would be great if you don’t mind!

    As for the valve, I didn’t realise the floats were open on the bottom! I’m glad I found that out now and not after ordering, so cheers for that! I might speak to my plumber mate and see if he’s come across any with a sealed float if you think that could solve the issue? From what I’ve seen their designs vary quite a bit, as does the cost...


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  15. #9
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    I've only seen one version of the Torpek but not saying there aren't any other versions. But I'm not a plumber lol

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  17. #10
    Senior Member Rank = Yonsai HCairns's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Frimley Koi keeper View Post
    I've only seen one version of the Torpek but not saying there aren't any other versions. But I'm not a plumber lol
    Do you think that if I can find a more sturdy one, with a sealed float rather than a cup, it could work? If you do, for the sake of a tenner I’d probably give it a go.


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  19. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by HCairns View Post
    Do you think that if I can find a more sturdy one, with a sealed float rather than a cup, it could work? If you do, for the sake of a tenner I’d probably give it a go.


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    You'd need to speak to a plumber about that as I don't know for sure but would guess as they are designed to go in a toilet or similar so they wouldn't need to be that strong as you normally don't have fish swimming round them in those sort of places unless you are extremely rich or a fruit loop

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  21. #12
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    Got some photos for you - not pretty but works for me OK

    Over adjusted float valve

    2020-05-21 12.03.19.jpg

    15mm JG speed fit connecting to float valve

    2020-05-21 12.03.31.jpg 2020-05-21 12.03.50.jpg

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  23. #13
    Senior Member Rank = Yonsai HCairns's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Frimley Koi keeper View Post
    Got some photos for you - not pretty but works for me OK

    Over adjusted float valve

    2020-05-21 12.03.19.jpg

    15mm JG speed fit connecting to float valve

    2020-05-21 12.03.31.jpg 2020-05-21 12.03.50.jpg
    That’s helpful, cheers!


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  25. #14
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    Old 3 canister filter system and 20mm poly pipe fittings supplying various things.

    2020-05-21 12.05.04.jpg

    20mm poly pipe entering the garage.

    2020-05-21 12.05.15.jpg

    Yes I know it all needs tidying up and I have a cable guard like you see on the sides of telephone poles etc to go over the poly pipe to hold it straighter where possible.

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  27. #15
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    Those of you with a nervous disposition to bad plumbing please look away now LOL

    Outlet of new 3 canister showing current leak. I think I will remove the reducers, PTFE tape them even more then refit but will also fit a couple of JG fittings between the filter and the flow sensor fitting as the supplied fitting was a bit suspect I thought and the damp patch on the floor proves my original thinking!!!

    2020-05-21 12.32.34.jpg

    Inlet of new filter with an annoying leak where the fittings enter it. Same as above, remove rePTFE and refit. Going to fit a pressure regulator before the inline tap but may have to go between the wall and the elbow.

    2020-05-21 12.32.49.jpg

    Flow meter showing total litres used I think? It's range is 1.5 to 25 lpm as that was the only one I could get with a 1/2" BSP thread and the smaller ones had a 1/4" BSP thread but the perfect range of something like 0.8 to 8 lpm

    2020-05-21 12.33.01.jpg

    On the plus side I don't think the 3 canisters are now leaking as I got replacement seals and gave the spanner a couple of extra wacks to do a proper tighten on them. Once I sort the leaks on the inlet and outlet then I'll recheck the canisters.

    Hopefully this has helped or if not at least given someone a good laugh at my dodgy pipe work.

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    Senior Member Rank = Grand Champion RoyLittle0's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Frimley Koi keeper View Post
    Those of you with a nervous disposition to bad plumbing please look away now LOL

    Outlet of new 3 canister showing current leak. I think I will remove the reducers, PTFE tape them even more then refit but will also fit a couple of JG fittings between the filter and the flow sensor fitting as the supplied fitting was a bit suspect I thought and the damp patch on the floor proves my original thinking!!!

    2020-05-21 12.32.34.jpg

    Inlet of new filter with an annoying leak where the fittings enter it. Same as above, remove rePTFE and refit. Going to fit a pressure regulator before the inline tap but may have to go between the wall and the elbow.

    2020-05-21 12.32.49.jpg

    Flow meter showing total litres used I think? It's range is 1.5 to 25 lpm as that was the only one I could get with a 1/2" BSP thread and the smaller ones had a 1/4" BSP thread but the perfect range of something like 0.8 to 8 lpm

    2020-05-21 12.33.01.jpg

    On the plus side I don't think the 3 canisters are now leaking as I got replacement seals and gave the spanner a couple of extra wacks to do a proper tighten on them. Once I sort the leaks on the inlet and outlet then I'll recheck the canisters.

    Hopefully this has helped or if not at least given someone a good laugh at my dodgy pipe work.
    Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a plumber but I was always told that the water goes inside the pipes and not outside, but I could be wrong Float valve top-up


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  31. #17
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    On the photo above showing the old 3 canister filter system and 20mm poly pipe fittings supplying various things, I'm planning to remove the old filter once I've proved the new one works and doesn't keep leaking and then remove the T, rotate it 90 degrees clockwise? and then fit another inline tap which will then fed the hose pipe so I don't have the issue with the hose pipe being pressurised every time I have the top up system running like it currently is.

    I'm also planning to fit some cable guard over the pipes to try to tidy them up a bit. I was hoping that the pipe coming down from the water meter would bend slightly to the straight through bit of the T was level but as the poly pipe was supplied as a coil it may take some time unless I put some fixings on it?

    I think I have messed up as there is an elbow on the pipe going down into the patio where it runs under the patio, I think I should have left it with a sweeping bend same as where it comes out of the ground and up the garage wall. The only thing I can do is once all the leaks are sorted on new system just turn the tap on and get the system running at the desired flow rate then wait for the float valve to stop the water flowing into the pond which will then pressurise the system then leave it pressurised over night or during the day for a good 12 hours and see if the pressure drops. That way I'll know if the underground elbow is leaking or not and go from there.

  32. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by RoyLittle0 View Post
    Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a plumber but I was always told that the water goes inside the pipes and not outside, but I could be wrong Float valve top-up


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    Well I like doing things differently, Fred leaves his water proof socket lids open and I prefer my water out side the pipe work and on the garage floor Roy

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    I intend to alter the pipe work from the outlet of the new filter as I may need to to make room for the extra couple of fittings and also the pressure reg in front of the filter in the leak curing process

  35. #20
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    Not only did the poly pipe come as a coil the 15mm JG speed fit did as well

    That does tend to straighten a bit bit quicker than the poly pipe does fortunately just needs a bit of something to hold it in the correct position for a couple of days.

    Now who's the best person on here to ask about things like that???

 

 
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