FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hi guys

Im having a rather big problem with a tank that im doing as part of a project. This is how the setup look (sorry but i did it in a rush)

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f125/juwel-180/drawingforvalve.jpg

As you can see the air line comes out at the bottom of the tank rather than the top. The air line then goes down below the tank, then into air regulator then into the pump. The air stone is not a normal one and allows water to flow back through it. Basicaly I need a one way valve befor the air regulator to stop water back washing into the pump. The air line is 4mm so the vavle connectors can be no more than 6mm. So basicaly it has to let the air through but no water back. It has the preasure of 10 uk gallonspushing back on it so it needs to work well. Any help or suggestions of good valves would be great! I realy dont know where to go with this! HELP!

P.S the tank will have to fish in it but may have some pants, it is more for show and a work of art rather than anything else.

Not a response but rather something else to try. If you put the pump above the tank the water wont run back into it I would have thought.

Hi,
"They" make a one way check valve just for this purpose.
This is just one example:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=10109


They are also used in CO2 injection systems to prevent
the tank water from passing down the hose through the
regulator (ruins it) and into the empty CO2 tank.

Frank

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I thanks for the replys I had thought about putting the pump above the tank, the only problem is the tank is over meter tall and very narrow, and running the airline to the top and hiding it would be rather hard (i know i know this project sounds more strange by the min ) these CO2 check vales Frank sound good! um did not understand the link it took me to "Re: MTS Snails" and unless its me i could not see anything about CO2 valves. Please post back! keep ideas comming! thanks

OOPS!

Fixed the link, sorry.

Frank

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

They look very diffrent to what i have tried! the valve i tried befor was like this (see link http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f125/juwel-180/14469.jpg) it worked like once or twice, but never realy seated enough to stop the water from flowing back! Hence im not on my seconde pump! will these check vales Frank work better than the ones in the picture do you think? In terms of money I would go as much as £15 for the perfect valve. thanks

Hi,
Yes, when I saw the spring I knew that it was not even
remotely sensitive enough to stop the water flowing
backwards.

The one in the link and another that I got through a
company here in the States called Arizona Gardens for
my CO2 system, consists of two or more flaps of very
pliable rubber. The water closes them together and
stops the flow backwards, while the CO2 pressure &
flow, is enough to slip right through.

I would check with a nearby fish club, or a good shop
that sells plants and the accessories for the plants,
mainly CO2 systems and its parts. You ought to find
a similar product on that side of the pond, and it really
should not cost more than 3-5$ US.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Thanks for the great help frank Um i have one last Q realy. With the valves you suggest, if I where to connect the airline the wrong way would any air come though or is it realy a one way valve. The reason I ask this is becuase it has to keep the air in the air line becuase if not it flows back down the pipe. I know its a strange Q but the answer if you know would be great. So realy how one way is the valve? Thanks Frank again for the great help

Hi,
Good question. I don't really know that answer except in
generalities. Because "Murphy" lives at my home,
I connected my valve ( the one I purchased along with my
CO2 system from Arizona Gardens) back-wards. It worked,
and I could not get any flow from the regulator to the
bubble counter and from there to the tank. In attempting
to get the gas into the tank I cranked the pressure up to
5 pounds. When brute force did not work, I went back to
basics and CLOSELY looked at the valve body, with my
glasses on, and saw the arrow indicating gas flow,
engraved on valve body.

I don't know how easily it would pass in the direction
opposite the arrow. I would think that would depend upon
the quality of the unit.

Frank

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Thanks Frank massive help Ordered some today well infact 3 from 3 diffrent people to see which one works best. They all look like the vlaves you suggested. I found 1 person in the UK who sold the exact check vales you showed me, but then told me he was not selling them any more Any way ordered 3 from china (of all places ) let you know how I get on cheers again Thanks