TrueNorth Posted December 2, 2021 Share Posted December 2, 2021 Hello I am building currently a semi auto water change system for my aquarium rack. The tap water will be going through a 3 stage filter system (sediment, gac, cto) to a water manifold to supply fresh water to all the tanks. I would like to put in a water temperature mixing valve before it enters the 3 stage filter to be able to adjust water temperature. My problem is I can only find mixing valves with a water mixing temperature rating above 80⁰F. But I want to make water changes in the low to mid 70⁰F range. Does anyone can point me in the right direction of finding the right mixing valve or has an other suggestion on how to accomplish the temp adjustment easily. Thank you for all your help in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatyourpeas Posted December 2, 2021 Share Posted December 2, 2021 I just saw an email exchange on that with @Dean’s Fishroom sharing a solution. Good luck! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueNorth Posted December 2, 2021 Author Share Posted December 2, 2021 @eatyourpeas i know master Dean is using an intellifaucet, which is amazing but way out of my price range. I was hoping of finding something like a shower style faucet with temperature settings on it I could use that is able to do adjustment in the lower 70⁰F range. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevesFishTanks Posted December 2, 2021 Share Posted December 2, 2021 Quote LF1170 models can be set to any temperature between 90 degrees F and 160 degrees F with flow rates as low as 0.5 gpm and as high as 23 gpm. LFL1170-M2 models can be set at a range between 60 degrees F and 120 degrees F. Available with threaded (-UT), solder (-US), PEX Quick-Connect (-QC) or CPVC connections. Maximum Pressure: 150psi (10 bar). Lead Free* cast copper silicon alloy body construction. this is info directly from the manufacturer. search google for LFL1170-M2 0559110 another valve option is the honeywell sparco am-1 its range is 70-180 search google for AM100-US-1LF From another post similar to this subject. I ended up using this chinese valve from amazon because it was cheap and available. Its lowest setting is 68* F and has been working for me. The low temp thermostatic valves were either out of stock forever or came in a configuration that made installation difficult, mostly sweat/solder and odd size pipe. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueNorth Posted December 2, 2021 Author Share Posted December 2, 2021 @s1_ awesome thank you very much for the info. I will do a Google search and hopefully can order one online. The cheap Chinese one of Amazon you are using is like the one I had on my Amazon wish list but is not available anymore and similar ones don't adjust the temperature that low. Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy's Fish Den Posted December 2, 2021 Share Posted December 2, 2021 Something you might want to keep in mind, you may have the valve set for 76* but by the time it travels through piping and gets into tank, it could drop a few degrees depending upon several factors such as how juch of a distance and temp of room piping is traveling through. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueNorth Posted December 2, 2021 Author Share Posted December 2, 2021 Thanks @Andy's Fish Denfor the the heads up about the temperature drop. I thought about it already too and I only have about 12ft from the point it leaves the 3 stage filter to the manifold outlet. Probably going to put some pipe insulation around it just to be sure. thanks appreciate it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean’s Fishroom Posted December 3, 2021 Share Posted December 3, 2021 Look for a Watts Low Temperature Mixing valve, https://www.supplyhouse.com/Watts-0559110-3-4-LFL1170M2-UT-Lead-Free-Threaded-Lo-Temp-Mixing-Valve I used one for about 5 years and it worked pretty good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueNorth Posted December 3, 2021 Author Share Posted December 3, 2021 @Dean’s Fishroom thank you for the link Master Dean. Going to order one of these valves now. Thank you to you and everyone for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhaminal Posted February 27, 2022 Share Posted February 27, 2022 Hi, Does anyone know if any of these mixing valves need a recirc line built in? Or do you dump water until it gets up to temp? Ive looked at instructions for many and its not very clear to me how hot water flows enough to make the valve happy and hot for mixing. Can these be used with tankless water heaters also? Or only tanked heaters? Ive paused @Dean’s Fishroom videos many times trying to figure out that bit of plumbing with no success! What am I missing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevesFishTanks Posted February 27, 2022 Share Posted February 27, 2022 The thermostatic mixing valves can be compared to a preset shower valve. Room/pipe/ground temp water has to flow through the valve before heated water from either type of heater can replace it and be mixed. I think they are designed more for overtemp and antiscald protection. The preset is the max allowed temp which is why its so challenging to find one with a temperature range low enough to be fishroom worthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean’s Fishroom Posted February 28, 2022 Share Posted February 28, 2022 When using the mixing valves for water changes you will need to dump water until it comes to temperature. Or you can use that water in tanks that aren't as sensitive to cool water. In my case I'm lucky my water heater is 3 feet from my mixing valve so getting to temperature is very quick. They will work with tankless water heaters. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhaminal Posted February 28, 2022 Share Posted February 28, 2022 That helps! Thank you @StevesFishTanks and @Dean’s Fishroom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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