Is it worth foregoing the ball valve for a cleaner plumbing layout?

[VanCityReef]

I'm building out a 425 G2 and Id like to add a manifold to the return. Ideally, I'd like to have a ball valve before the manifold so I can close the entire area off, without having to close the gate valves, inevitably saving me time fine-tuning the gates when re-opened.

Below is the design where I actually have the ball valve in there and a design without the gate valve. My question is, in terms of plumbing design/efficiency, is one of these layouts more advantageous than the other? Is it worth giving up the design with the ball valve?

Please let me know in the comments below!

Ball Valve
The ball valve, 1 extra 90, and the T towards the manifold between the pump and the return

Union
No ball valve, 1 Less 90, and a cleaner, layout

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I don't really see the point of the valve other than back draining your lines. It's a new bubbles at start up, but if you already have it, why not.

 

[WestMI-Reefer]

They will operate nearly the same. option 1 gives you a way to remover the entire manifold and keep both tanks running. option 2 would have to shut off the return for any maintenance to the manifold. I'd go for #1.

 

[Sean Clark]

Depending on what you have on your manifold, it may be nice to be able to restrict the flow rather then having it find its own balance in the system.

 

[V A R I A N T]

Option one allows additional control of flow pressure to the display return. If you found the manifold was getting too much flow, or the display return wasn’t receiving enough, it’s a quick adjustment of the ball valve.

 

[mehaffydr]

I would fore sure go #1 the ball valve might really come in handy and resetting all those gate valves would be a real pain.

 

[BaliReefBox]

why dont you run a single larger diameter return then split it nearer the outlet returns, less plumbing and friction loses

 

[VanCityReef]

I don't really see the point of the valve other than back draining your lines. It's a new bubbles at start up, but if you already have it, why not.

mainly so I can turn off the manifold without having to close all the gate valves and so I can do maintenance on the manifold without having to shut everything off

 

[VanCityReef]

why dont you run a single larger diameter return then split it nearer the outlet returns, less plumbing and friction loses

could you elaborate on this?

 

[BaliReefBox]

single pipe from pump, tee off manifold, then single pipe up rear of tank then tee off again to nozzles. currently you have split the returns at the pump. there are a zillion ways to do and everyone has a way they prefer...pick a way that suits your needs best

 

[VanCityReef]

single pipe from pump, tee off manifold, then single pipe up rear of tank then tee off again to nozzles. currently you have split the returns at the pump. there are a zillion ways to do and everyone has a way they prefer...pick a way that suits your needs best

Oh, I see what you're saying. Unfortunately, the way the 425 G2 is designed, it has two pipes running up the rear of the tank. Really appreciate you drawing that out though.