Do check valves restrict flow?

Raoul5Duke · 07-08-2009, 10:42 AM

I am reworking my plumbing, trying to make it more efficient/neater. I installed a check valve and now it seems like I am not getting nearly the flow I once was. I added maybe 1 additional 90 bend from what I had before and a gate valve so I don't think that would have caused this much head loss. Any thoughts?

rbursek · 07-08-2009, 10:48 AM

Yes they do plus snails, algae ect can couse them not to seal when needed, so are not considered reliable when needed.

Raoul5Duke · 07-08-2009, 10:57 AM

Thanks, nothing like have to cut something up you just finished and start over!

rbursek · 07-08-2009, 03:20 PM

Same answer as you got on RC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Raoul5Duke · 07-08-2009, 04:50 PM

But you replied first Bob, so "thanks".

rbursek · 07-08-2009, 05:07 PM

Duke, that was because I new the answer!!!!LOL!!!! We just had a thread yesterday on RS about bad info, opions and not fact, and who to trust on answers, it got so heated the thread got pulled!!!! So I understand, I read stuff here and on RC that just makes me shutter, espeacilly when it comes to RO/DI info. Time to put the patch on my water bed leak.

rbursek · 07-08-2009, 05:12 PM

Oh Ya, I do not have any credibility here?????????????LOL

BigAl07 · 07-08-2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbursek

Yes they do plus snails, algae ect can couse them not to seal when needed, so are not considered reliable when needed.

Very well said. They work FLAWLESSLY until you NEED it to work then Uh-oh!!

Frankie · 07-08-2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbursek

Oh Ya, I do not have any credibility here?????????????LOL

Who says that Bob? I have read some pretty good stuff from you.

Raoul5Duke · 07-08-2009, 11:31 PM

Well, I think you were joking, but just to clarify.... I post questions on several places and then I take the responses I get and use that info to come to my own conclusions. So it is not a slight on the info I get here, in fact I have found this site to be one of the ones where individuals are more open minded than others.

MotoReef · 07-09-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raoul5Duke

I am reworking my plumbing, trying to make it more efficient/neater. I installed a check valve and now it seems like I am not getting nearly the flow I once was. I added maybe 1 additional 90 bend from what I had before and a gate valve so I don't think that would have caused this much head loss. Any thoughts?

First, as long as the inlet and outlet of the valve is the same or larger than the line, it should not be too restrictive at all.

However make sure you are using a flap-type check valve for aquarium use. Most check valves you see that looks similar at Home Depot or Lowe's are "spring type" valves. Though these look very similar in external design, internally, they are very different. The latter ones are used or home application like garden sprinklers and shower heads where supply of water is at very high pressure. They will completely restrict the flow of an aquarium pump as the springs will push back the water and fight the pump.

A proper flap-type check-valve for aquariums have a small flap inside, similar to traditional toilet tanks... They are not restrictive and are not spring loaded but are designed to close when the water flow is reversed (ie siphon effect).

I hope that helps...

BTW: like most people will say though, that using a large enough sump with properly designed overflow box, and return lines placed properly at shallow depths in the tank will eliminate the need for these check valves as total water drained down from it will still hold the water within the sump...

(Which I feel is a better design fish tank anyway!!)

rbursek · 07-09-2009, 10:44 AM

No slight felt or taken, that is why the LOL. It is alwas good to get more info then not and decipher it for ones own application. With the flapper type check vavle if algae builds up around it or a snail is sitting there when it closes do to the reverse flow of water it will not seal completely. With a propper size sump and an anti syphon over flow system you would not need them as stated by MotoReef.

MotoReef · 07-09-2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbursek

The difference between a Reef tank and a money shredder is the Tank will trip the GFI!

LOL!!! Unless somebody here has enough wads of Ben Franklin bills to make the shredder stop stuck and trip the breaker in the house!!

Raoul5Duke · 07-09-2009, 02:37 PM

I have extra room in the sump, etc. I was just picking up new plumbing parts in Lowe's and thought they would be a nice convenience. Boy was I wrong. I looked yesterday and some strands of Chaeto had gotten sucked into the return line and instantly clogged the check valve. I also didn't think about the ones from Lowes being spring loaded, which I assume is not good for saltwater use. Anyway, lesson learned.

07-08-2009, 10:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
Raoul5Duke Star Polyps Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 172 View Gallery Karma Komment	Do check valves restrict flow? I am reworking my plumbing, trying to make it more efficient/neater. I installed a check valve and now it seems like I am not getting nearly the flow I once was. I added maybe 1 additional 90 bend from what I had before and a gate valve so I don't think that would have caused this much head loss. Any thoughts?

07-08-2009, 10:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
rbursek Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Germantown, Milw, WI area suburb Posts: 1,183 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Do check valves restrict flow? Yes they do plus snails, algae ect can couse them not to seal when needed, so are not considered reliable when needed. __________________ Bob The difference between a Reef tank and a money shredder is the Tank will trip the GFI! 120gal tank, 30gal fuge/sump, 2 250w MH, 2 96w Actinics, SPS's, LPS's, fish. http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/gg138/rbursek/

07-08-2009, 10:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
Raoul5Duke Star Polyps Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 172 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Do check valves restrict flow? Thanks, nothing like have to cut something up you just finished and start over!

07-08-2009, 03:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
rbursek Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Germantown, Milw, WI area suburb Posts: 1,183 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Do check valves restrict flow? Same answer as you got on RC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ Bob The difference between a Reef tank and a money shredder is the Tank will trip the GFI! 120gal tank, 30gal fuge/sump, 2 250w MH, 2 96w Actinics, SPS's, LPS's, fish. http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/gg138/rbursek/

07-08-2009, 04:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
Raoul5Duke Star Polyps Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 172 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Do check valves restrict flow? But you replied first Bob, so "thanks".

07-08-2009, 05:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
rbursek Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Germantown, Milw, WI area suburb Posts: 1,183 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Do check valves restrict flow? Duke, that was because I new the answer!!!!LOL!!!! We just had a thread yesterday on RS about bad info, opions and not fact, and who to trust on answers, it got so heated the thread got pulled!!!! So I understand, I read stuff here and on RC that just makes me shutter, espeacilly when it comes to RO/DI info. Time to put the patch on my water bed leak. __________________ Bob The difference between a Reef tank and a money shredder is the Tank will trip the GFI! 120gal tank, 30gal fuge/sump, 2 250w MH, 2 96w Actinics, SPS's, LPS's, fish. http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/gg138/rbursek/

07-08-2009, 05:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
rbursek Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Germantown, Milw, WI area suburb Posts: 1,183 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Do check valves restrict flow? Oh Ya, I do not have any credibility here?????????????LOL __________________ Bob The difference between a Reef tank and a money shredder is the Tank will trip the GFI! 120gal tank, 30gal fuge/sump, 2 250w MH, 2 96w Actinics, SPS's, LPS's, fish. http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/gg138/rbursek/

07-08-2009, 11:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
Raoul5Duke Star Polyps Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 172 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Do check valves restrict flow? Well, I think you were joking, but just to clarify.... I post questions on several places and then I take the responses I get and use that info to come to my own conclusions. So it is not a slight on the info I get here, in fact I have found this site to be one of the ones where individuals are more open minded than others.

07-09-2009, 10:44 AM	#12 (permalink)
rbursek Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Germantown, Milw, WI area suburb Posts: 1,183 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Do check valves restrict flow? No slight felt or taken, that is why the LOL. It is alwas good to get more info then not and decipher it for ones own application. With the flapper type check vavle if algae builds up around it or a snail is sitting there when it closes do to the reverse flow of water it will not seal completely. With a propper size sump and an anti syphon over flow system you would not need them as stated by MotoReef. __________________ Bob The difference between a Reef tank and a money shredder is the Tank will trip the GFI! 120gal tank, 30gal fuge/sump, 2 250w MH, 2 96w Actinics, SPS's, LPS's, fish. http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/gg138/rbursek/

07-09-2009, 02:37 PM	#14 (permalink)
Raoul5Duke Star Polyps Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 172 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Do check valves restrict flow? I have extra room in the sump, etc. I was just picking up new plumbing parts in Lowe's and thought they would be a nice convenience. Boy was I wrong. I looked yesterday and some strands of Chaeto had gotten sucked into the return line and instantly clogged the check valve. I also didn't think about the ones from Lowes being spring loaded, which I assume is not good for saltwater use. Anyway, lesson learned.

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