Canister Filter "Check Valve"???

MVandenberk

AC Members
Dec 11, 2006
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Ontario, Canada
I've never used a canister filter before my Rena xp3. Is there some "check valve" or something you can get or something similar to stop the filter from emptying my tank in an emergency while away from home? Or any other method people are using?
 
I'm talking more about the inlet/outlet tubes becoming detached and the pump don't know the difference. It would be more like a Siphen (Spelling?) effect.

Like the air pumps you get, if you put the pump below the water level and don't have a check valve, and for some unforseen reason the hose comes out, it will Siphen your water out of your tank, I had this happen to me in an apartment, I caught it before it got too bad, but it unloaded a PILE of water, and now I have a check valve to stop this from happening.
 
i have been pondering this myself since my disaster last week....

i dont think there is any way there could be an effective check valve.
the intake is just a siphon, and i doubt a check valve could distinguish between water running in to your canister or running on to your floor.

its a really scary event, but i think if you make sure your fittings are all really tight you shouldnt be a problem.
 
Drill a small hole about 2 inches below the water level on the intake this will break the siphon and prevent the tank from draining-Anne
 
Ditto on the hole, and make sure the return is only a bit below the surface. You will still get some sort of spill, but it wont empty the tank. The only thing is that the hole size can be hard to judge. If you get a really big leak down low, like the pipe drops off completely, then a tiny hole will allow it to siphon down quite a ways before it breaks. Also you have to make sure it's enough below the water level or that you keep the tank topped up completely.
 
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