Extra safety for the water pump, plus using a check valve

[ArashS1347]

Hello Guys,

So last night I noticed some water above my air pump tubing check valve, which means the check valve was working. This got me thinking about what would happen if the check valve stopped working one day. I started wondering if a high loop tubing setup could help stop the siphoning water in case the check valve fails.

As shown in the picture attached, the high loop (reverse U shape) is positioned above the water line. Do you think such a setup would be safe and prevent water siphoning if the check valve stops working?

PS: I can't place the air pump anywhere above my aquarium.

Thank you very much

 

[Gtinnel]

No it wouldn’t help. In regards to a siphon it’s only the height of the water level and the height of the other end of the tubing that matters. Taking the middle of the tube above the water level won’t matter if the outlet is lower than the water level.

 

[KrisReef]

The configuration should help SINCE the entire line should be filled with air under normal operating conditions. If the air pump stops the loop should prevent water from flowing completely back into the air pump.

@Gtinnel is correct about a water hose siphoning back and this makes me wonder how you got water to the check valve in the first place? Capillary force and having the airline enter the tank below the water line (not what is shown in the diagram) might explain your situation?

A big enough loop above the water line should overcome capillary forces and “help” keep the air pump dry.

 

[ArashS1347]

No it wouldn’t help. In regards to a siphon it’s only the height of the water level and the height of the other end of the tubing that matters. Taking the middle of the tube above the water level won’t matter if the outlet is lower than the water level.

Understood, so as long as the end of the other part of the tube is lower than the water level, syphoning will be continued.

Is using two check valves over kill? Incase the first one stops working.

Thank you very much

 

[ArashS1347]

The configuration should help SINCE the entire line should be filled with air under normal operating conditions. If the air pump stops the loop should prevent water from flowing completely back into the air pump.

@Gtinnel is correct about a water hose siphoning back and this makes me wonder how you got water to the check valve in the first place? Capillary force and having the airline enter the tank below the water line (not what is shown in the diagram) might explain your situation?

A big enough loop above the water line should overcome capillary forces and “help” keep the air pump dry.

My setup wasn't like this, it was a normal tubing from lower air pump to the water without reverse U shape, just I had my check valve on top of the aquarium like the image. And yes, the air stone is at the bottom of the aquarium.

The check valve worked but I'm still paranoid about syphoning, so I'm trying to add another safety level.

Thank you very much