Check Valves, any Plumbing Gurus?

[jimroth]

I am having trouble stopping my return line from siphoning into my sump. I have a siphon break, but I have found that if it's repositioned a little it doesn't work. Yesterday I got about 5 gallons of fresh water onto the garage floor because of this and there would have been more if my wife hadn't heard the siphon gurgling.
I've always heard that check valves are dangerous to depend on, but I am sorely tempted. Anybody have any experience or advice? It would be a pretty big (1.5") check valve if it was inline, and I see a lot of options (clear plastic, removable, etc.).
The water goes in a big arch over a doorway. The thought occurred to me that I could put a tee at the top of the arch and install a smaller check valve in such a way that it would not pass water OUT, but would let air IN, this breaking the siphon. Would this work or would it be a disaster?

 

[Jcurry@wesketch]

Don't rely on the check valves their a waste of time. Just rework your siphon break so that it works. I have my Loc-Line set just low enough below the water line that it doesn't whirlpool and draw in air. Another option is to drill a hole in the pvc at the waterline on all of your returns.

 

[NJ_ychung1]

I have a fresh water cichlid tank set up with check valve on its return from sump. I agree that its an overkill and I havet seen a huge benefit from it. For the reefer you need to find non-corrosive non-metallic check valves and your options are limited. My reef tank is not equipped with one b/c I don't see the benefit as long as I can control siphon-breaks and power failure with a battery backup.

Jay