Nem tank/no powerheads check valves

[Kristophf]

Hi i have a 2.5x2.5x2ft cube made with an overflow box built in on the back and 2 holes for return, the cabinet and sunp ive built myself and im down to plumbing the tank now. One bottom left and one top right. I thought i wouls keep this tank free of wavemakers and just use a turbine 9k and random flow generator heads on loc lines to create various flow. Im in australia so its hard to find certain things, our pvc is limited and there isnt much choice with check valves etc. My plan was to have 2 check valves below each return from a T off and then one more for good measure above the return pump. Heres a diagram of the return design. Blue boxes represent check valves.

Ive been told its too risky to trust the check valves and read especially these spring loaded ones.

Any thoughts? Thanks

 

[Kristophf]

Anyone used these vavles?

 

[JoshH]

What you have been told is solid advice. You are risking too much with that setup. What I can suggest is running your plumbing like this...

Just use a T fitting and run your plumbing across then up and at the top use another T fitting and fit a 1/4" RODI tube out of it using adapters to get the 1/4" size. You can run this tube into your overflow box just above the water line. This will create a siphon break the second the pump shuts off or shortly there after. It will probably drain a little more into your sump than a standard return setup but barely more. 0 check valves, 0 issues and as long as that RODI tubing has water coming out of it you will never have to worry. It's almost a set and forget setup. Still needs to be looked at every few months just to be sure but if there is any maintenance its insanely easy to do

Oh and maybe add a valve after the initial T to help direct flow to your other outlet by closing it slightly.

 

[Kristophf]

What you have been told is solid advice. You are risking too much with that setup. What I can suggest is running your plumbing like this...

Just use a T fitting and run your plumbing across then up and at the top use another T fitting and fit a 1/4" RODI tube out of it using adapters to get the 1/4" size. You can run this tube into your overflow box just above the water line. This will create a siphon break the second the pump shuts off or shortly there after. It will probably drain a little more into your sump than a standard return setup but barely more. 0 check valves, 0 issues and as long as that RODI tubing has water coming out of it you will never have to worry. It's almost a set and forget setup. Still needs to be looked at every few months just to be sure but if there is any maintenance its insanely easy to do

Oh and maybe add a valve after the initial T to help direct flow to your other outlet by closing it slightly.

Thanks i didnt think of that, that could work

 

[Mjrenz]

Very good advice above! Also, if those check valves have metal springs in them definitely do not use them