Last Updated on June 6, 2024 by admins
The check valve is a handy, small fitting device that sits in line on your airline or any other aquarium tubing. This device is quite important because it prevents the siphoning of water into the air pump – an essential component of your aquarium aeration system. Experienced aquarists know all the benefits and safety that this device brings with it.
So, today we will say a few things about aquarium check valve direction.
Table of Contents
What is an Aquarium Check Valve?
A check valve, also known as a non-return valve, is a small fitting safety device designed to allow fluids and gases to flow in one direction. It has an extremely important role to stop the water in your tank from flowing back out of your airline.
When under pressure, the fluids enter the valve at the inlet and exit through the outlet, and this whole process continues until the pressure drops or the pump is shut down. We must also mention their cracking pressure, defined as the pressure at which the disk to the valve opens. It can vary from 3 psi to 350 psi depending on the size, purpose, and function of the check valve itself.
In addition, these safety devices are designed to prevent backflow, ensure that the gases or liquids are flowing in the right direction, and create a tight seal to prevent leaks. Since they control the flow of liquids, check valves protect pumps and compressors from serious damage.
Do You Need a Check Valve?
Technically, you don’t need it. Your air pump will work pretty well even without it. The check valve is there just in case something goes wrong. Just like the seat belt, 99.9% of the time it will sit there doing nothing but will be there if something bad happens. Basically, for just a few dollars, you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the event of a disaster.
Where To Place Your Aquarium Check Valve?
As for the location as well as the aquarium check valve direction, it completely depends on the different fittings you already have installed on your airline tube. It is most often installed on a plain airline or an airline with other fittings (opening in the pipe, bleed valve, airline control valve, airline connector, 3 or 4-way connectors, or gang valve).
As for the installation itself, the process is quite simple. It is only necessary to determine the location and using a pair of sharp scissors, cut through the air pipe. Then insert both pieces of pipe into either end of the check valve, and that would be it, you are good to go.
Although the whole process is simple, many beginners make one mistake closely related to the aquarium check valve direction. They most often (probably out of ignorance) install the check valve in the wrong direction upwards. So, the device only allows the air to flow through in one direction. Accordingly, if it is placed upside down, no air is going to flow through the valve. If you find that this is the case with you, simply remove the pipes and flip the non-return valve around – no harm done.
In addition, you can even test the aquarium check valve direction by blowing into it with your mouth. So, when you do that you will only be able to blow into one end. Accordingly, whatever end you can blow through, it is actually the end that goes on the air pump side of the airline.
Once you have finished testing, simply draw an arrow on the check valve to indicate the way the air flows. This will allow you to know the correct direction at any time.
In Conclusion
Check valves are one of the most important parts when using an aquarium air pump. Their main role is to prevent a phenomenon known as back siphoning. If it is not placed in the aquarium and the air pump goes off, the consequences can be incalculable. Namely, aquarium water can be sucked from the tank down the airline tubing, damaging electrical devices. Worst of all, it can drain part or most of the water out of the aquarium. As for the aquarium check valve direction, the most important thing is not to set it upside down because in that case, no air is going to flow through the valve.
A favorite option among aquarists is the check valve from Pawfly. It is very cheap in price but does the job of restricting airflow very well. A downside of this economical version is that some reviewers have described them slipping off the connections from time to time as well as a few making a whistling noise. This set comes with six pieces however, so that if you happen to get one which malfunctions, you have a few others as replacements.
Now you know broadly about this interesting safety device that prevents backflow and protects sensitive equipment, pipes, pumps, and compressors. If you have any questions, please let us know in the comments.
Take a look at this article as well.
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