AquaticEngineer Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Looking for something that I can plumb in line with 3/4 inch tubing into my return line to stop the siphon when my pump turns off. Hopefully with barb fittings. Anyone know where to go to get one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defigart Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 You can get a check valve at Lowes, and probably at Home Depot as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 They're pretty unreliable though, crud and mineral deposits can build up inside them and stop them from working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 you probably already know about drilling a small pressure release air hole at a higher water level line on your return. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaticEngineer Posted October 21, 2008 Author Share Posted October 21, 2008 Yeah I was gonne do the small hole if I couldn't find a reliable check valve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefhut Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 DO NOT use a check valve...Just simply drill a small hole. The check valve is a problem because it takes away pump pressure just to keep the valve open and not to mention the flow restriction.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 can someone explain this small hole thing? i am just not seeing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Do not use a check valve, you will regret it. I can tell you more horror stories regarding them than you care to hear. Drill a hole for siphon break at the top of water level and you should be good to go, plus a check valve has quite a bit of head pressure not only the reliability issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrellw Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 can someone explain this small hole thing? i am just not seeing it. Any maybe with a picture? I think I understand, but I want to make sure. -Darrell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Like this: The hole will break the siphon when the water level drops below it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 thanks. now i understand. i dont need to use it because my volumes work as they are, but that is good to know. however, if your water ever falls below that hole in your overflow, do you lose it and get your display tank overflowing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 If your return is still pumping, probably. That's why overflows are so popular, they'll prevent a flood and will restart (if properly designed) when necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaticEngineer Posted October 23, 2008 Author Share Posted October 23, 2008 So generally though with that setup you dont get very much water coming out of the small hole though right? Since water will take the path of least resistance it should be coming almost completely out of the larger output of the return, right? And if you drill it so it is barely below the water line you shouldn't get any air being pulled in making the hole act like a venturi, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 exactly. That is how it works on my setup. dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrellw Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Thanks, I see how that works for an over the side return. But what about a drilled through the wall return? Does it mean you need to put the return hole close to the waterline, and drill a hole in whatever you have coming out of the bulkhead (LocLine bits, in my case)? Thanks, Darrell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 On my tank, I kept the return pretty high on the back wall, and made sure the sump had enough free capacity to hold the water that would siphon back down. I think that's a pretty important detail... siphon-break holes can get covered with crud, coralline, a snail with the worst timing in the world, that kind'a thing; leaving enough room in the sump is good insurance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defigart Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 a snail with the worst timing in the world You mean they aren't all that way? LOL (laugh) Very good points Andy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgreenthumb Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 Yea I always have to clean out my holes at least once a month(thats what she said haha) coralline grows right over it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.