metal spring in my check valve a problem?

Hello All,

I have a question and I hope someone knows the answer

I month ago or so I added a check valve to my return line. It has a metal spring flap inside. I have learned they have one without the spring and its is a flap valve I believe. My question is this. I have had some inverts die recently and I have lost a torch coral and a hammer that is struggling. Could it be because of this metal spring???

Thanks all....

D.

 

It could be. I never knew why but I was always told that metal in any fish tank leads to problems. I would switch it out and get the check valve without the spring.

 

I am assuming so. Anyone have any details as to why or if this could indeed be my problem?

 

"I once had two small brass fittings on a tank (brass is a copper alloy if you didn't know)...the small amount of copper that dissolved from corrosion killed a bunch of snails, shrimp, some corals, etc....I removed the fittings and ran some pad that removes metals and also a ton of carbon...I still have the same tank (a sump now) and some of the rock and sand that was in there and it causes no problems...if you put enough copper in a tank you may have problems with leaching, but in small amounts it can be removed." I got this from The Reef Tank forum. I think this applies to all metals, inverts are sensitive to minute traces of copper so wouldn't it apply to other metals?

 

Sounds about right to me. Such a pain to learn the hard way, LOL. Home Depot only had the spring version. Anyone know where I can find an affordable flap version?
I live in Sacramento, Ca if there is any locals on here.

 

I would try Lowe's, some larger fish stores usually have a plumbing section where they may have it.

 

Most people don't recommend the use of check valves in a saltwater system, especially in the return lines - the saying goes: "not if it will fail but when"
A properly designed return system will not need it anyway, it should only backflow a small amount of water before the siphon is broke and the water stops draining.

 

yes, I have been told this a couple times but it is just a extra step of safety really.

 

+1 to that. The most streamlined siplest systems work best over time. Anything mechanical can and usually will fail. Usuallu after you get completely comfortable that you are in the clear.

Anything you put in your tank needs to be stainless steel. Even that is debatable by some, but stainless steel is used in pumps and other things. The iron itself in no big deal, and the nickle and cromoly ins not a problem too.

Many alloys contain copper for coorosion resistence. Either the spring or the flapper does not really matter. If the valve does not specifically state stainless steel, then don't use it. You will probably have to go on line for that because most HD /Lowes do not carry such specific stuff.

Personally, I would ditch it. Less maintenance, less failure potential, less contaminate potential.

 

Some materials in the check valve could be galvanized. That would likely cause problems imo. I would ditch it all together personally, but the cheapest swing check I'be seen was about 30 bucks