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  1. #1

    Plugging a 4" Valterra Slide valve

    I'm looking for ideas.

    I have a midwater skimmer that feeds into one of my filters via the base of the filter bay, ie. a 4" vertical pressure pipe poking out from the concrete floor of the filter bay.
    For whatever reason the guy who built my pond attached a valterra slide valve there.
    I now need to make some adjustments to the length of the outlet pipe but the slide valve cannot completely shut off the water flow, so I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how I can plug the slide valve temporarily while I work on the outlet pipe.

    I guess lowering the water level in the pond below that of the skimmer should do it but I am somewhat reluctant to do that as I would be throwing out half the volume of my pond

    Any ideas?



  2. #2
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Grand Champion lee63's Avatar
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    Once the water is below the skimmer mouth there will only be whatever water is in the pipe do wouldnt be too bad


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Its always a work in progress

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  4. #3
    Moderator Rank = Supreme Champion Feline's Avatar
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    Could you cut the pipe somewhere on the non-pond end of the valve and quickly fix a 4" rubber bung fitting onto the end? I know you will get a bit wet in the process, but with the valve shut you shouldnt be dealing with a raging torrent while you get it on?

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  6. #4
    Lee - thanks. Unfortunately the skimmer mouth is almost half the depth of the pond, so that's quite a bit of water there. Sadly this maybe my only option.

    Feline - that's exactly what I tried to do last time. It sort of works, not a torrent but there is still a steady stream of water seeping through the valve. Sadly the filter bay doesn't have a drain in there either so it means having to wade around in pond water up to my shins for a couple of days after.

    I was planning to stick a t-piece after the slide valve, and worried that the pipe cement won't work with so much water splashing around.

  7. #5
    Moderator Rank = Supreme Champion Feline's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Toffee View Post
    Lee - thanks. Unfortunately the skimmer mouth is almost half the depth of the pond, so that's quite a bit of water there. Sadly this maybe my only option.

    Feline - that's exactly what I tried to do last time. It sort of works, not a torrent but there is still a steady stream of water seeping through the valve. Sadly the filter bay doesn't have a drain in there either so it means having to wade around in pond water up to my shins for a couple of days after.

    I was planning to stick a t-piece after the slide valve, and worried that the pipe cement won't work with so much water splashing around.
    Have you already tried the obvious, like tightening up the bolts on the slide valve?

    You could try using the wet and dry solvent cement, it can cope with damp conditions Coastal Koi - Sealants Glues and Cleaners - Secure Online Shopping

    Sump pump to drain what leaks?

    If you were thinking of dropping pond level then I would personally replace that valve for a ball valve while you were at it so you never have to worry about this again.

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  9. #6
    Senior Member Rank = Grand Champion andikoi's Avatar
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    if you can get to the inlet in pond you could put a bung in it to stop flow,think you can get inflatable ones too,or slide something over inlet,water pressure from pond should keep it in place,andi

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  11. #7
    I had a 2" mid water return that I I had to move the ball valve on recently, used the laminated card that comes with the nexus giving instructions how to clean it, got a mate to hold it over the outlet then opened the Ball Valve, water pressure kept it clamped to the side of the pond whilst I cut the pipe and refitted the Ball Valve with barely a cupful of water lost once the pipe had emptied.
    Large piece of Butyly Liner put over the skimmer mouth would be worth a go.

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  13. #8
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Gosai kelv0102's Avatar
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    There is a tip somewhere on here where someone had an issue with Valterra sliding valve with the rubbers and installed a cardboard gasket one side which solved the problem you could do this as stated above by blocking the inlet with something.


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  15. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by Doitsusanke View Post
    I had a 2" mid water return that I I had to move the ball valve on recently, used the laminated card that comes with the nexus giving instructions how to clean it, got a mate to hold it over the outlet then opened the Ball Valve, water pressure kept it clamped to the side of the pond whilst I cut the pipe and refitted the Ball Valve with barely a cupful of water lost once the pipe had emptied.
    Large piece of Butyly Liner put over the skimmer mouth would be worth a go.
    My midwater return is quite big, almost like a round dome, botttom drain sort (I think it's called a Tommy Drain). I do have some old liner lying around so I may give this a try.t
    Thank you
    Last edited by Toffee; 01-07-2017 at 03:21 PM. Reason: name correction

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  17. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by Feline View Post
    Have you already tried the obvious, like tightening up the bolts on the slide valve?

    You could try using the wet and dry solvent cement, it can cope with damp conditions Coastal Koi - Sealants Glues and Cleaners - Secure Online Shopping

    Sump pump to drain what leaks?

    If you were thinking of dropping pond level then I would personally replace that valve for a ball valve while you were at it so you never have to worry about this again.
    Oh believe me, if I have to drop the water level that valve is as good as gone.
    That said those 4" ball valves are huge, and I'm not sure if I have enough room to fit one in place of the valterra.

  18. #11
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Kyusai TinyTony's Avatar
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    just pump the water into a temp pool . do the job then pump the water back into the pond

  19. #12
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by kelv0102 View Post
    There is a tip somewhere on here where someone had an issue with Valterra sliding valve with the rubbers and installed a cardboard gasket one side which solved the problem you could do this as stated above by blocking the inlet with something.


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    Hi Tiffee,
    I had a leaking 4ins valterra and repaired it as said above.
    You have to undo the four nuts and make a packing washer out of plastic or gasket paper to fit behind the plate to push the rubber seal tighter against the plate,only do one side as if you do them both it is too tight,works great no leaks.
    John

  20. #13
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    Sorry i meant Toffee,not Tiffee. OOPS !!!!!
    John

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  22. #14
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Nisai tiddler2's Avatar
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    Hi just get bung of eBay put down the pipe past the valve screw it up tight you can then don't what you want

  23. #15
    Moderator Rank = Supreme Champion Feline's Avatar
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    I think if the pipe ends in a Tommy drain in the pond wall then bunging it is not going to be possible?

  24. #16
    Quote Originally Posted by Feline View Post
    I think if the pipe ends in a Tommy drain in the pond wall then bunging it is not going to be possible?
    Oh, why is that? You think the rubber liner may get sucked into the drain?

  25. #17
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Gosai kelv0102's Avatar
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    Ok so you could get a pump up bung and slide into the pipe you'll need to extend the pump line so it's above water level and the pump up with a bicycle pump.

    Something like the below!

    https://www.mad4tools.com/horobin-pi...FdAy0wod4ZUFTw



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  27. #18
    Moderator Rank = Supreme Champion Feline's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Toffee View Post
    Oh, why is that? You think the rubber liner may get sucked into the drain?
    I was thinking if your Tommy drain has a lid you would need to remove it to get a bung inside the pipe. You would also get a bit wet putting it in since it's underwater
    If those 2 things are get roundtable though then you could certainly bung it!

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  29. #19
    While searching the internet for a pump up bag bung, I found this:

    Bailey 1960 4-Inch Drain Test Plug Plastic Cap

    That should do the trick too I think.
    Only 7 quid, worth a shot I think?

  30. #20
    Quote Originally Posted by kelv0102 View Post
    Ok so you could get a pump up bung and slide into the pipe you'll need to extend the pump line so it's above water level and the pump up with a bicycle pump.

    Something like the below!

    https://www.mad4tools.com/horobin-pi...FdAy0wod4ZUFTw

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    thats a good price for the canvas air bag
    are you sure it works with a bicycle pump too? Looks like it need a male thread to feed it.

 

 
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