osmolator check valve broke!

[uhuru]

My osmolator is less than 2 months old and the check valve spring seems to be broken. It runs fine without the check valve but as soon as put it back on, it doesn't let the water through. And yes, I have it in the right way it was working fine for 2 months. I tried running a normal air check valve but it is too small. Where can I get another check valve for the osmolator?

 

[smatter]

Any will work, the duck-billed variety is what I have now. My spring-loaded Elite that it came with didn't work right off the bat. The current one has worked fine for over a year.

 

[nomoretanks]

Marine depot carries the Hagen Elite. Luckily I needed some new fw canister filter pads that I couldn't find locally so I was ordering anyway.

One of my osmolators stopped working Friday (red too low light was lit) and the pump wasn't getting water out. While I was trying to diagnose the problem the check valve just broke (based on no other found problems I suspect it was the problem.

My wife was headed to town anyway so I had her stop by Wal-Mart for a check valve. All they had were the duckbill type. I ran the system with a duckbill for a few days and I'd not even consider one except as an emergency.

With the cheap duckbill it barely dribbled out. I do have 5' of head pressure to fight and admittedly I run that osmolator with a tunze kalk canister way over filled, but with a spring loaded check valve I get a full stream out the hose.

Maybe a duckbill would work ok if you didn't use the tunze kalk dispenser or you didn't have much head pressure.

 

[rvitko]

You might try soaking the check valve in vinegar first, it could just be cemented shut. The duck bill variety is what we used to use and in some respects they are better but we stopped using them because the rubber hardens due to the high pH of the kalk and they fail after about a year.

BTW, smatter, I got your sticker for the skimmer cup today.

 

[uhuru]

Yeah I tried the duckbill one and water barely came out, BTW I run mine with a calcium dispenser (tunze). I tried messing with the stock check valve and it popped open. I had to silicone it back together so I'll wait until it cures and see how it works.

 

[smatter]

Do you still have my address Roger? That is awsome you remembered, I really appreciate it. I PMd it to you just in case.

 

[rvitko]

I don't think you can repair it, PM me and I will send one.

 

[uhuru]

Thanks Roger! PM sent.

 

[sccrcoach]

My check valve is not working at all....hooked up the osmolator and the calcium dispensor...without the check valve the water does not stop even with the pump turned off...where can I get another one? Is this normal?

 

[rvitko]

The check valves purpose is not to stop a general siphon, you must be pumping up to the tank above your reservoir to avoid a siphon. The only purpose of the check valve is to stop a back flow of kalkwasser into the reservoir.

 

[sccrcoach]

Thanks...I will change the position but the valve does not work as the pump is on but no flow coming out...

 

[rvitko]

The pump may be locked with air, you need to prime it by tuening it upside downI would start it without the calcium dispenser attached. Make sure the check valve is on the right way.

 

[sccrcoach]

Since my sump is below the container of water can I run the hose up in a loop and eliminate the extra flow when the pump shuts off....

 

[rvitko]

No, you need to run the top off hose up to the tank, it is the only safe way to do it. A siphon will form if the end of the hose is below the water line in the reservoir.

 

[sccrcoach]

Thanks for the info....