Check Valve Question

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I have a water change station and when I send water to my sump it continues to siphon after I turn the pump off.

Could I add this to stop the issue and if so where in the plumbing?

http://www.pvcfittingsonline.com/va...lear-ball-check-valves.html?size_in_inches=36

 

[TheEngineer]

Check valves notoriously fail. I personally do not trust them. Can you add an air gap at your sump so you don't start a siphon?

 

[805reef]

the check valve will only stop water from going in the reverse direction.

 

[TheEngineer]

Oh maybe I misunderstood. The water continues to flow from the water source or your sump after you turn off the pump?

 

[bios]

Is the principles of communicating vessels Rev so cut the hose little higher then sump level

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

the check valve will only stop water from going in the reverse direction.

Ah yes! That being said I could still use one because the saltwater side tries to siphon back to the clean water side as well. Now to figure out how to stop the siphon! The line stays primed! LOL!

 

[Mallard]

Could you post some pictures of the overall setup?

 

[d2mini]

Another reason I use peristaltic pumps. No siphon!

 

[re76]

I think I understand what you are doing. But just in case let me describe what I am assuming.

You have a water change station that is lower than your sump that you use a pump to get water from there into your sump?

I have a similar scenario and I have a ball valve in the basement right after the pump. Then I have another ball valve in the sump where the plumbing enters my sump.

My water change steps are as follows:

Open valve in sump that goes through wall to the basement (nothing happens yet because valve in basement is still closed)
Open valve in basement that allows water that is primed in pipe to start siphon to the drain.
Once all the water has been siphoned out of sump close valve in basement that goes to drain.
Turn on pump to start filling sump with fresh mix salt water.
Go upstairs, once sump is full turn off valve in sump.

(At this point the pump is pushing against the closed drain in the sump. Doing nothing, but keeping the line primed for next time.)​

Sprint downstairs and close the valve that is immediately after the pump.
Turn off pump.

At this point I have done a water change and the line is still primed for next time. It is probably not great the the pump has to push against a closed valve for about 15 seconds, but I don't think it is that bad for it.

Does that make sense? If not I can take some pictures when I get home.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Another reason I use peristaltic pumps. No siphon!

I'm using that vectra M1 to push a lot of water to the sump when needed. It's actually only going to be used for water changes.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I think I understand what you are doing. But just in case let me describe what I am assuming.

You have a water change station that is lower than your sump that you use a pump to get water from there into your sump?

I have a similar scenario and I have a ball valve in the basement right after the pump. Then I have another ball valve in the sump where the plumbing enters my sump.

My water change steps are as follows:

Open valve in sump that goes through wall to the basement (nothing happens yet because valve in basement is still closed)
Open valve in basement that allows water that is primed in pipe to start siphon to the drain.
Once all the water has been siphoned out of sump close valve in basement that goes to drain.
Turn on pump to start filling sump with fresh mix salt water.
Go upstairs, once sump is full turn off valve in sump.

(At this point the pump is pushing against the closed drain in the sump. Doing nothing, but keeping the line primed for next time.)​

Sprint downstairs and close the valve that is immediately after the pump.
Turn off pump.

At this point I have done a water change and the line is still primed for next time. It is probably not great the the pump has to push against a closed valve for about 15 seconds, but I don't think it is that bad for it.

Does that make sense? If not I can take some pictures when I get home.

No the sump and water change station is about the same distance from the ground. But the water change system is tall so the pump pumps it up high and then down to the sump.

 

[d2mini]

I'm using that vectra M1 to push a lot of water to the sump when needed. It's actually only going to be used for water changes.

You could set up daily auto water changes. That's what I did in my 200g.
This way a peristaltic pump could run multiple times per day, much smaller amounts of water.
Food for thought if you run out of other options. :)

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

You could set up daily auto water changes. That's what I did in my 200g.
This way a peristaltic pump could run multiple times per day, much smaller amounts of water.
Food for thought if you run out of other options. :)

Honestly when it's all said and done I do want to have a daily water change set up!

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

I like simple solutions as much as possible, if you're running a basic pump to come from your mix to your sump, hook that sump to a power strip (or switch) along with one of these https://www.lowes.com/pd/Toro-0-75-in-Plastic-Electric-Inline-Irrigation-Valve/50342088.

It's closed if it doesn't have power and open if it does.

So hit the switch>pump comes on and valve opens, turn off switch>pump turns off and valve closes preventing siphon.

 

[d2mini]

I like simple solutions as much as possible, if you're running a basic pump to come from your mix to your sump, hook that sump to a power strip (or switch) along with one of these https://www.lowes.com/pd/Toro-0-75-in-Plastic-Electric-Inline-Irrigation-Valve/50342088.

It's closed if it doesn't have power and open if it does.

So hit the switch>pump comes on and valve opens, turn off switch>pump turns off and valve closes preventing siphon.

Nice!

 

[Brew12]

Honestly when it's all said and done I do want to have a daily water change set up!

Well then say it and get it done! :D

 

[Brew12]

I like simple solutions as much as possible, if you're running a basic pump to come from your mix to your sump, hook that sump to a power strip (or switch) along with one of these https://www.lowes.com/pd/Toro-0-75-in-Plastic-Electric-Inline-Irrigation-Valve/50342088.

It's closed if it doesn't have power and open if it does.

So hit the switch>pump comes on and valve opens, turn off switch>pump turns off and valve closes preventing siphon.

Great idea, but would also need to get a 120V/24V transformer.

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

Great idea, but would also need to get a 120V/24V transformer.

True.