SCH 40 Check Valve, Use after pump or does it block pods????

I want to put a check valve after the pump so when power goes out water doesn't feed back that way to the sump. Will that stop pods and things that I want to get back to the display tank????

 

wow, never thought along those lines....I have a check valve in mine, same thing your talking about... I only thought maybe over time it would get clogged...
but its close after my output, so theres good pressure there. Output in tank has always been good too.

Sco

 

Don't trust the check valve to work when you need it. Unless you clean regularly it most likely won't seal right with the sealife crusting it up.

 

Very good point, Covey! Never thought of it crusting up.

 

I think the impeller of you pump is taking care of pods and what not. I agree with Covey. I wouldn't trust it to seal when needed. plus they restrict flow big time

J

 

How does that check valve operate? Usually for large ones it's simply a flapper valve type thing which won't block anything from going up.

Make sure all components are plastic. Some have metal springs in them.

Also, they generally don't work very well unless they're cleaned constantly. When I did use one, it was a 1.5 inch one that I kept as the very first piece of the plumbing for the intake of my pump. it was not glued, just fitted on since it was underwater anyway and didn't have to be watertight. It was also kept this way so that it would be easy to remove and clean periodically.

Being in this position it also acts as a primer pot would for your pump. Allowing water to stay in the line from the intake through the pump which allows it to restart when the power comes back on. It also will help you prime the pump depending on how you have it plumbed with a capped tee in the intake line when the line is completely dry.

Good luck.

 

Now that you mention it, that thing does have a spring in it. Guess I won't be adding that feature in my tank. I was just worried about the water coming back through the pump when the power goes out. I am using Loc-Line at the tank for water disbursement so I can create a siphon there.

 

Otty, you could drill a hole at the water level that will break the syphon when the power went out. Doesn't have to be that big of a hole.

J

 

Did you use the megaflow kits from all glass or oceanic? If so they already have a siphon break installed.

 

check valve

I have used them on my 2 reefs and my 300 FOWLR for over 2 years and i've had nothing but success with them. My power goes out alot and they have never failed. I see it as another redundant system. As for the metal spring messing up your water parameters, With your regular water changes theres nothing to worry about, as for pressure loss, I run mag drive pumps and have had great success. Im all for them as i use them in my all my aquariums.