105G Custom Shallow Paradise

kien · #1 12-18-2009, 10:06 PM

I thought that check valves worked on a spring.. doesn't that restrict flow as well ? I suppose there are non-springy check valves? I wouldn't know, I haven't used one in a zillion years.. I wonder if fishy will come over and skin my new stand as well.. I have no motivation at all to skin the new stand.. heck, i hear he is doing plumbing these days too. I should just get him to finish my build.

JDigital · #2 12-18-2009, 10:11 PM

These "fancy clear PVC" check valves, have no metal or spring inside. It works on a rubber flaps that seals shut in the event of back flow. They do affect head pressure slightly.

To each their own I guess. I'm sure if they had failed on me in the past like Tony has experienced, I'd be un-easy to use them as well. But I've got a perfect history with them so I can only advocate them.

lastlight · #3 12-18-2009, 10:49 PM

The only issue is they've failed for an assload of people lol. But it sounds like a harmless precaution as you can handle the backflow anyways I think. It's basic math but I just skimmed.

fishytime · #4 12-19-2009, 12:26 AM

The reason these plastic flap ones fail is the seal builds up with crud and then doesnt seal properly....nice thing about them (and I recommend this at shop all the time) is the are true union....so you can swap in a clean on on a regular basis and soak the original to clean it....

I used to have it in my signature that I do custom stands and canopies....If your serious Kien shoot me a PM... I w i l l d o t h e p l u m b i n g f o r y o u r a q u a i u m t o o .(wanted to be really clear in the wording there...with all the pervs around).

Looking really good there Josh....(the tank that is....darn pervs)

Delphinus · #5 12-19-2009, 03:52 AM

True with proper maintenance you can reduce the risk of failure, .... just not completely eliminate the risk of failure because you just never know when a stomatella shell or something is gonna get jammed in it. Sorry, it's just a pet peeve of mine. The spring loaded ones are worse because they put a lot of backpressure on the pump reducing flow, and the springs can rust up (even though they're not supposed to).

Don't get me wrong, tank is top notch ... I sort of question whether you really need it in the first place but I suppose if you already have it you might as well use it.

lastlight · #6 12-19-2009, 04:41 AM

So if the tank below can handle all the backflow why use the check valve? Just curious.

JDigital · #7 12-19-2009, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastlight

So if the tank below can handle all the backflow why use the check valve? Just curious.

I don't want my sump filling to the rim every time I shut my pump off or the power blips/goes out. Yes, according to my math the sump can handle it, do I want to tempt that every time? No. What's wrong with an added piece of security? Just Curious.

I had one on my 75G and I had to shut my return pump off 1/week for 7-8months for waterchanges.. Not once did it fail. You guys are talking like they fail every time they get used. Sorry for your bad luck, but I can't argue with success.