Air Pumps

S

sirsears

AC Members
May 24, 2007
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Hi again,

Last night i was going a little redecorating, and my air pump for one of my decorations was NOT plugged in. However, i must have pulled on the tubing because when i went to get something in the space in the stand, i had water all over the place! I finally figured out it was coming from the tubing (I really thought my tank was leaking, i was going crazy). My question is, has anyone ever had a power outage and if so, does the tubing continue to siphon water out of the tank? I am very hesitant to plug my airpump back in! Has this happened to anyone else??
 
Sounds like you need an anti drain back valve, they cost about a dollar and only flow one way, so water cant siphon out, i use them on both tanks just in case..........:)
 
yup a stop valve is a necessity for air pumps or you can get a siphon effect in the event of a power outtage...horrible prospect to come home and find a tank empty of water, full of dead fish and a ruined room...and as weeser says they are dirt cheap.
 
I had this happen, had an airstone on the bottom of my tank, and my air pump under my tank, with no check vavle.

I turned my air pump off, and the force of the water pushing down on the airstone, forced water up the airline, with just barely enough pressure to push it over the rim of the tank.....

and thats all it took to start a siphon, i didnt realize for like 20 mins until i seen water coming out of my stand, AND pouring right out my air pump.

ive since removed all the fancy junk and the bubble wall, and installed my background :)
 
youll also see them more commonly called Check Valves.. i use them on ANY application that uses airline in my tank.
 
Thank you guys, that is exactly what i will buy! And to think i was the only one this has happened to.. :)
 
Yes, use a check valve. They are very cheap and will save you a big headache if there is a power failure. I use them on all of my tanks that have an air pump that is sitting below the surface of the water. Of course if the pump ids placed above the surface of the water then the check valve will not be necessary since the water cannot go higher then the surface of the water.

Marinemom
 
Yep, make sure you use a check valve on every line that you run into the tank for that exact reason. Back flow can really mess up a rug.
 
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