105G Custom Shallow Paradise

Delphinus · #1 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 · #2 12-19-2009, 04:41 AM

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

JDigital · #3 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.

lastlight · #4 12-19-2009, 06:01 AM

Are you worried that the sump filling that high will cause a break? Wasn't your sump an old display?

If you don't need a check valve then using one certainly isn't bad. Maybe it reduces your flow a tiny bit but not near as much as say...sch 80 pipe.

JDigital · #5 12-19-2009, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastlight

Are you worried that the sump filling that high will cause a break? Wasn't your sump an old display?

Has nothing to do with breaking. What if something else fails, say my ATO, and pumps my entire reservoir into my sump (which will be 10G once everything is said and done... Then say the power goes out. I certainly wouldn't have the room for that extra water now, nor do I have the space to plan for that, that's where the Check Valve would save me. If they both fail at the same time, well F-Me!!

kien · #6 12-19-2009, 06:21 AM

ah.. nothing like a little controversy in a build thread

I'm going to put 5 check valves in mine just for fun.

anyway.. did I read or hear somewhere that you were going to do a closed loop? Did you have holes drilled into the bottom like your 75g? I didn't notice any holes in the pics. Or did I just totally make that up ?

JDigital · #7 12-19-2009, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kien

ah.. nothing like a little controversy in a build thread

I'm going to put 5 check valves in mine just for fun.

anyway.. did I read or hear somewhere that you were going to do a closed loop? Did you have holes drilled into the bottom like your 75g? I didn't notice any holes in the pics. Or did I just totally make that up ?

Nope, no closed loop this time around. Gonna get my flow using 2 MP20's and 2-3 Tunze's.

jimbo222 · #8 12-19-2009, 06:28 AM

SWEEET .// So what kind of tang are you gonna add now that you have the room.

Delphinus · #9 12-19-2009, 05:54 PM

No controversy, just sharing of opinions. The check valve sticks out as the one and only "B-" in the report card of otherwise all straight "A++'s" and so I felt Josh deserved to know why I felt that way.

Off topic a bit, but Kien and Josh, do either of you use those little lens cap holder strings with your camera stuff? ... just curious.