Toilet Flush Valve repurpose?

[Rufe0]

Hi all

I need a fast draining self acting valve for an aquarium thing I'm doing, but no need togo into the details really. I know how I could make one DIY style however the perfect device already exists in a normal toilet flush, so it would be really handy if I could just use one off the shelf.

2 things you can help me out with;
Firstly it needs to be completely 100% 'food safe', no chemical leaching etc, and preferably use 100% non-biodegradable seals. It will be cycling all day everyday with constant water flow, with dirty and biologically active water. I think any normal rubber seal would degrade pretty quickly and I can't have bits floating off to dissolve later or clog filters, is there an off-the-shelf brand or whatever with these qualities?

Secondly I need to set it up so it automatically cycles continuously. I'm thinking just using a float to pull the flush valve upwards when high enough water is reached. Will this work?

The water will contain dissolved solids which could build up around the valve area, but I'm hoping it wouldn't affect the seal too much to where it would need cleaning regularly, easily cleanable would be handy. Built in overflow would be a bonus. It only needs to be single flush not dual flush.

Any ideas/advice?

Thanks Adam

 

[dancinplumba]

are you growing plants ? are we talking hydroponics here ? 🙂

 

[SilentMike]

what you making a surge tank?

 

[Whn1]

Germination.

 

[Whyme]

Just put the fish in the loo..

 

[Rufe0]

Aquaponics actually. You grow fish in an aquarium and pump the fish poo round the plants hydroponics style, the bacteria that builds up turns the fish poo into plant food, plants eat it and the fish get clean water back.

 

[Whyme]

I know sorry.....Dont think many PLUMBING fittings would be suitable for fish.ie food grade...

 

[Ray Stafford]

It sounds like you need an autosyphon of the sort used to feed urinals. Dunno about the non-biodegradable seals though.

 

[Rufe0]

OK thanks guys, yeah i'm coming round to the autosiphon idea now, I had originally thought they would have reliability problems but I think I can make it work now.

 

[SimonG]

You would have problems with standard toilet fittings, they don't like bits in the water. See it all the time on spring and bore hole supplies when the cust doesn't change the filters as often as they should.

 

[PETE 123]

Try youtube for various methods