lotsofgallons
In Memoriam
i am planning a new tank and will drill a hole about halfway down the back of my tank for a return line and i dont want this much water siphoning back into the sump if i lose power. how reliable are check valves?
Check Valve Reliability?
- Thread starter lotsofgallons
- Start date
mnestroy
Active member
Anything that can break, sooner or later will break.
So your return will be middle of your tank? Typically people have them go over the lip of tank and u can drill a hole just above the water line, that way it will suck air and break the siphone.
I guess thats another option fi u can figure out how to make it draw air..
Many people will tell you check valves are not safe, so i dunno use 3 of them... having 3 should put the odds in your favor.
So your return will be middle of your tank? Typically people have them go over the lip of tank and u can drill a hole just above the water line, that way it will suck air and break the siphone.
I guess thats another option fi u can figure out how to make it draw air..
Many people will tell you check valves are not safe, so i dunno use 3 of them... having 3 should put the odds in your favor.
lotsofgallons
In Memoriam
thanks, i like the idea of using multiple ones in case one breaks..i know most people go over the lip, but i have greater plans then that...anyone else?
scbadiver
New member
My opinion is, 1, 2 or 7, they will get crud built up in the line and when you need them they WILL fail. I'd suggest a different solution. I had one in a return line for about 10 months and when I removed it there was already so much stuff in it the flap couldn't close even when pushed manually. JMO
Satori
Cancer Sucks
IF you do use a check valve, make sure it is a clear one so you can see what it looks like. Make sure you have a ball valve above it so you can easily remove the check valve for cleaning. I like the one I got, it has quick unions so I can pull it out and put in my clean backup in about 30 seconds.
bill9999992
New member
Just make sure you buy a good one and clean it everyonce and awhile. Redundancy is always a good thing.
AZDesertRat
In Memoriam
Check valves fail, it can't be put any simpler than that. No matter how expensive, how elaborate or simple or how many, they fail period. If you can live with a backsiphon or flood then go for it but you are making a big mistake with check valves and returns that are low in the tank. I work with pumps and valves for a living and have seen multitudes fail over the past 33 years and more often than not with disastrous results. Its not worth the risk. Put your return(s) close to the surface so you only have a slight backsiphonage and you will never ever have to worry about a flood.
We put siphon break holes and check valves in systems with good intentions but how many of us stick to a regimented maintenance schedule? Even them all it takes is one grain of sand, a small snail, a flake of food or any number of other things to defeat a check valve. Do it correctly the first time and you will not need check valves or drilled siphon breaks. Check valves also add additional head or resistance so plan on a larger pump or a smaller flow rate.
We put siphon break holes and check valves in systems with good intentions but how many of us stick to a regimented maintenance schedule? Even them all it takes is one grain of sand, a small snail, a flake of food or any number of other things to defeat a check valve. Do it correctly the first time and you will not need check valves or drilled siphon breaks. Check valves also add additional head or resistance so plan on a larger pump or a smaller flow rate.
Satori
Cancer Sucks
I agree, it is best not to have a check valve. I absolutely have to have one, and I consider it bad planning on my part. Right now is the perfect time for the OP to change the design to eliminate the need. I would need to empty my tank to change my design, so I'm saving it for if/when I ever need to move to another house.
davidryder
Claris or Elliot?
i agree. even if the check valve is clear... how often are you going to check it? probably every day for the first couple of weeks.
anyway, like mentioned above, the use of check valves are used in poor designs. i would suggest you start planning a different design.
good luck!
anyway, like mentioned above, the use of check valves are used in poor designs. i would suggest you start planning a different design.
good luck!
revance
New member
Flapper style check valves should ideally be installed vertically. Installing them horizontally increases the chances of failure.
If it floods your sump, then it isn't "closed".
Speaking of closed loops though, that is a good suggestion for the creator of this thread... have you considered having the return high enough up your tank that you can handle the siphon water in the sump and use a closed loop in place of the low return line?
If it floods your sump, then it isn't "closed".
Speaking of closed loops though, that is a good suggestion for the creator of this thread... have you considered having the return high enough up your tank that you can handle the siphon water in the sump and use a closed loop in place of the low return line?
mnestroy
Active member
This is a very interesting topic, I was sure somebody would have come up with a creative way around this problem other than suggesting raising the return and using an anti siphon hole.
I mean isn't there come crazy looping of hoses, or something that would prevent a backsiphon? eheh
I say go for it with no protection, after all my power hasn't go out in over 6years, EHHEHHE JK
I mean isn't there come crazy looping of hoses, or something that would prevent a backsiphon? eheh
I say go for it with no protection, after all my power hasn't go out in over 6years, EHHEHHE JK
davidryder
Claris or Elliot?
plumbing should be intuitively simple, not creatively complicated.
at any rate, what's the benefit of putting the return line in the middle of the tank?
a pet store i worked at had a drain pipe at the top of all of their sumps in the case that water started to flow back into the sump so it couldn't flood.
at any rate, what's the benefit of putting the return line in the middle of the tank?
a pet store i worked at had a drain pipe at the top of all of their sumps in the case that water started to flow back into the sump so it couldn't flood.
