Air Pump Check Valves

[ashemo]

Since I'm on a roll here....

Are air line check valves really necessary? (For reference, my pump resides on the floor under the tank stand.) I've used them in the past, and not used them, too. I never have had trouble without them when turning the pump off for service, etc., and even during recent power outages (as long as 16 hours!) Not running them also has the benefit of reducing the back-pressure to the pump. I don't however, relish the thought of 30 gallons of H2O on my living room floor some morning! Am I tempting fate here? Living Dangerously?

Does anybody have any real-world experience they'd care to share (for and/or against)?

Thanks.

Andy

 

[Fat Boy]

Hi Ashemo, I've just bought a new air pump, the instruction say to use an air check valve if the pump is on or below the surface of the aquarium, and for only a few pennies I think you'll be better off safe than sorry. Steve.

 

[Lateral Line]

My thoughts exactly, for the sake of a few pence, why take the risk.

 

[ste2k3]

I'd say the same as above. Some valves put a lot of back pressure on the pump and can restrict the flow, I found it best to put the pump above the tank where possable. this will prolong the life of the diaphram too.

ste