georgeyost
New member
Anyone here tried to make a diy ball check valve?
Was considering it
Was considering it
diy ball check valve
- Thread starter georgeyost
- Start date
slief
RC Sponsor
Why would you do that? Check valves are dangerous enough as it is and almost always result in a flood because they are well known to fail. It isn't "if they fail but instead when they fail" If you really feel you need one, buy a good one but if you were wise, you would either redesign your plumbing to eliminate the need for it or rethink your sump setup.
I used to use check valves until I came home to a flooded house with 500 gallons of water running out the garage door. I learned the hard way as most check valve users do. You would be best served learning from other peoples mistakes. Flooding your home is no fun nor is the prospect of loosing everything in your tank.
I used to use check valves until I came home to a flooded house with 500 gallons of water running out the garage door. I learned the hard way as most check valve users do. You would be best served learning from other peoples mistakes. Flooding your home is no fun nor is the prospect of loosing everything in your tank.
RocketEngineer
Space is big.
To expand on slief's post. The reason they fail is that sponges and feather duster worms that inhabit the live rock also inhabit the plumbing of our systems. Because of this, they can grow on the valve seat and by doing so prevent the valve from properly sealing. This growth can happen very fast so even routine cleanings aren't proof against failure. Considering how little it takes to have one fail, they really have no place in a properly designed reef setup.
sleepydoc
Team RC
Completely agree with Slief and Rocket Engineer - the best check valve is the one you don't need. proper system design to eliminate their use is the key.
To answer the OP's question, I have never seen or heard of a DIY check valve. They are cheap enough that I can't see much advantage. Given the fact that DIY stuff is rarely more reliable than purchased equipment and that check valves are notoriously unreliable to begin with I can't see much of an advantage to making your own. (of course, maybe there's not much of a disadvantage either!)
To answer the OP's question, I have never seen or heard of a DIY check valve. They are cheap enough that I can't see much advantage. Given the fact that DIY stuff is rarely more reliable than purchased equipment and that check valves are notoriously unreliable to begin with I can't see much of an advantage to making your own. (of course, maybe there's not much of a disadvantage either!)
Philly_Reefer
New member
still confused why that would be a diy project, lol they are widely available and cheap enough. crazy
Joesvwbora
New member
Got mine from homedepot for a few bucks
georgeyost
New member
I bought an inline cv from lowes and it only holds for a little while ( maybee 30 mins)
Then slowly leaks
My sump currently has enough room for the amt of back siphon, but i don't 'Have the equipment. Or sand in the refugium and am concerned that it will flood out
Guess i'll have to either adjust my return spraybar or drill a hole in the sump to send some water to an expasion tank
Then slowly leaks
My sump currently has enough room for the amt of back siphon, but i don't 'Have the equipment. Or sand in the refugium and am concerned that it will flood out
Guess i'll have to either adjust my return spraybar or drill a hole in the sump to send some water to an expasion tank
georgeyost
New member
A 5 gallon bucket. May do the trick
Or. I have an old but still good 10 g tank
Or. I have an old but still good 10 g tank
slief
RC Sponsor
Now your thinking! :beers:
From the sounds of it, you also have first hand experience as to why we don't condone check valves. They can't be depended on and they all suffer from the same issues as Rocket pointed out.
Glad you came to your senses. In the long run, you are MUCH better off!
georgeyost
New member
Well today i drilled a hole for my 1 inch bulkhead and plumbed it to an expansion tank
I cracked the side of my old 10 g so i used a 5 g bucket from lowes
Did the power down test and it worked
I still plan to get a ball check valve from a pipe supply co but this extra hole will still be used in case the bcv leaks or somethimg else maybe a reactor or something
I cracked the side of my old 10 g so i used a 5 g bucket from lowes
Did the power down test and it worked
I still plan to get a ball check valve from a pipe supply co but this extra hole will still be used in case the bcv leaks or somethimg else maybe a reactor or something
sleepydoc
Team RC
Not sure what the point of getting the check valve is. You've modified your system so it can handle the back flow without a flood, so it really isn't necessary, and it will simply add extra resistance in the line and reduce your flow. You essentially have no need, no benefit and a drawback to the valve.
m1k3
New member
I have a check valve on my return. My sump can handle the volume with the return pump off. I only put it on to eliminate the massive bubble cloud when restarting the return pump after feeding. It does reduce the flow, which I know for sure cause I had to adjust the valve on my primary drain. Necessary: no. But I like it.
