Aqueon 06092 Water Flow Control Valve Assembly

This flow valve seems to be of a very good quality, except for the plastic faucet adapter piece (for indoor faucets), which will not withstand frequent use. This is not a problem for me, since I connect the flow valve to a standard outdoor/garden faucet. If you will need the adapter, do yourself a favor and get a brass adapter at your local hardware store (couple of bucks).

The flow valve connects itself to a faucet and uses the power of the water flow to produce a suction effect. It comes ready for you to connect your own flexible vinyl tubing (bring the flow valve to your local hardware store to make sure that you buy the correct diameter tubing). Connect your gravel filter to the other end of the vinyl tube and you have made a complete water changer. A "ball" valve just before the gravel filter needed for you to control suction and water flow (you will also use this device to supply water back to your aquarium). Complete water changers from Aqueon or Python run for $35 $45 depending on the length of the tubing.

Unlike the Python flow valve, where you have to rotate the bottom part to switch between draining and filling modes, the Aqueon flow valve has a lever (switch) that you need to move. I like the mechanism of the Aqueon flow valve better. Let's see which one lasts longer.

Unscrewing the bottom (drainage) piece reveals another connector for vinyl tubing. I suppose that it is possible to connect a draining tube for those like me that do not want to leave dirty fish water on the garage floor. The problem is that the pressure cap needed to complete this setting is missing. I called Aqueon and the technical support person that took my call could not confirm if it was possible to connect the drain tube and told me that the cap needed (identical to the one provided for the tube that goes to the gravel filter and to the aquarium) is not sold separately. That means that I would have to buy another complete flow valve, just for the cap, to complete my setting! --If someone has a better idea that can help me ideal my setting, please let me know.

The first control valve I bought came with the hose. It lasted me lass than a year and cracked right at the top where you screw it onto your kitchen sink. The replacement I bought in July lasted me exactly TWO tank cleanings. It cracked in the same spot while hand-tightening onto my faucet. I was very angry and wrote to Customer Service on the Aqueon website. They responded promptly and once the got a copy of my Amazon order summary, mailed me a new valve. They have a lifetime warranty so if it cracks again, I know what to do. Very pleased that Aqueon stand behind their product!

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Even though this is a replacement piece, it is a replacement piece for a reason. This part will break often so long as it is made of plastic and has threads. This is my 3rd one in the two years I have owned the kit. I love the kit, but having it break is just time consuming.

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I have been very gentle when screwing the adapter onto my faucet, yet last week when I got it out to change the water, the adapter had cracked into two pieces. I contacted Aqueon customer service via their website, and asked if they had a warranty to replace the adapter. They promptly mailed me a new adapter for free. I think they should change the construction of the adapter to be better quality, but their customer service is excellent.

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The water changer idea and principle is wonderful. However, due to poor quality in the materials, this piece continually breaks. No matter how carefully I handle it, I end up having to buy a new one several times a year. I would be willing to pay more for better quality and less breakage. Every time it breaks and I have to buy a new one, I have to wait several days for delivery, and therefore several days to clean the tank.

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