Ball valves on return line

[notrosh]

Hey all....

I am in the process of plumbing my 215 gallon. I have a single varios8 return pump. I am going to add a T fitting to go to both returns. I am putting in a check valve to prevent siphon. Should I put 1 ball valve before the T fitting or 2 ball valves after the T fitting before the tank returns?

Thanks for all the help....

 

[exnisstech]

The pump is controllable so I see no need for a valve. Also I would not depend on a check valve. They are nice for preventing the big rush of air when turning the pump back on but I wouldn't depend on one to keep the sump from overflowing. JMO

 

[notrosh]

Thanks for the quick response....

So you think there really isn't a need for a ball valve on the return side? I was thinking having the ability to completely close off the return side might - in a rare case - prevent any leaking during maintenance. Maybe I'm completely over thinking this.

 

[TokenReefer]

I agree not needed but I put one in for emergencies. At the time I was thinking in a worse case, can kill water between tanks..I never use it. I think you're thinking along the same lines

 

[Sumbub]

I've done a check valve on the return lines before. You need to make sure it's stainless steel or plastic parts in there. The salt water can dissolve the parts pretty easily. I had the check valves fail on me in about a year.

 

[SPS2020]

I have two gate valves and unions after my manifold. My reason is for maintenance and flow control. I have a chiller and UV plumbed inline and can tweak the flow of each.

 

[SPS2020]

As others have said, don't rely upon a check valve. If you do use one, my preference is a Georg Fischer Wye check valve as they are very easy to clean.

 

[notrosh]

Thanks everyone for the help

I am using the Wye check valve. I don't intend to rely on it for anything really meaningful or emergency related. However, my previous tank - RS 350 - didn't have one and it annoyed me having to pull the returns out of the water when I did water changes/maintenance.

I am going to put one cepex ball valve in return side.....mainly because I already bought it and I might be a little paranoid

I am also putting in plenty of unions - not overkill - but enough to make things easier....

This is quite a large project and I have spent quite a bit on custom color pipe and fittings.....I just want to make sure I don't have to redo it.

 

[Sumbub]

Extra unions help. Once you have it on paper, dry fit and take a second look. You'll be surprised where you figure out to put another union to make things easier. I recently did this and ended up using an extra 2 to make it easier to do maintenance.

 

[Reefer Matt]

However, my previous tank - RS 350 - didn't have one and it annoyed me having to pull the returns out of the water when I did water changes/maintenance.

I drill anti siphon holes in my returns. The hole faces the end of the return, and just below the water line. They do have to be kept clean though.

 

[notrosh]

Extra unions help. Once you have it on paper, dry fit and take a second look. You'll be surprised where you figure out to put another union to make things easier. I recently did this and ended up using an extra 2 to make it easier to do maintenance.

Good advice here...

I sketched out my plumbing and counted all fittings, valves, pipe feet, unions, etc.

When I ordered the parts I added more to each count to hopefully ensure that I don't have order more from BRS and then wait for it to get here or pay the crazy overnight shipping....

 

[notrosh]

I drill anti siphon holes in my returns. The hole faces the end of the return, and just below the water line. They do have to be kept clean though.

Nice thought....I didn't think about this..

 

[BeanAnimal]

I would skip the check valves. Maintenance nightmare that will end up just being crusted open and useless.

 

[notrosh]

I would skip the check valves. Maintenance nightmare that will end up just being crusted open and useless.

Interesting....

Do you feel the thought/fear of siphoning from the DT through the returns is unfounded?

I guess the ball valve on the return side would completely prevent that since I could just close it when doing water changes. So any siphoning that might/would occur would only get so far...

 

[BeanAnimal]

Interesting....

Do you feel the thought/fear of siphoning from the DT through the returns is unfounded?

It is not unfounded. If the system relies on a check valve or you pulling returns out of the water to prevent flooding in the event of power failure, then it is a system that is design to fail, and it will fail.

 

[notrosh]

It is not unfounded. If the system relies on a check valve or you pulling returns out of the water to prevent flooding in the event of power failure, then it is a system that is design to fail, and it will fail.

Completely valid point....

I should have stated previously...my house has a whole home generator.....so losing power is hopefully pretty slim.

I'm beginning to think that I am overthinking this....

Thanks so much for the help.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Completely valid point....

I should have stated previously...my house has a whole home generator.....so losing power is hopefully pretty slim.

I'm beginning to think that I am overthinking this....

Thanks so much for the help.

What happens when the generator fails or the generator is fine and the return pump fails? I had a fairly new ReefOctopus VarioS pump fail just a few evening ago.

Your sump should (without question) be able to handle the full backflow of your system when there is nothing running. If it can not, then you will have a flood at some point with significant statistical certainty.

 

[notrosh]

What happens when the generator fails or the generator is fine and the return pump fails? I had a fairly new ReefOctopus VarioS pump fail just a few evening ago.

Your sump should (without question) be able to handle the full backflow of your system when there is nothing running. If it can not, then you will have a flood at some point with significant statistical certainty.

gotcha....

100% agreed....I absolutely didn't think about that..

Thanks....

 

[gastone]

I like ball valves. Have one on each return line as well as a master (Five in total on my school system). That way I can shut down various parts of the system. Helps in case of a leak or troubleshooting. Also helps if I want to adjust the flow at a specific return or isolate one of the two tanks running off the same return pump. Cheap and easy.

And I don't like check valves. I've got enough room in the sump if there a back siphon for both tanks I'll be fine. Now if both tanks back siphon and the ato gets stuck in the on position I might be pushing it. Maybe.

 

[C_AWOL]

If you are running a manifold on 1 pump and/or care about balancing the flow rates out of both returns then yes put ball valves on each return (preferably quality ones). If not then save the money and effort.