I have a 29 gallon tank with a 24 in. flexible bubble wand. I have connected the check valve to the tubing to prevent accidental back flow to the pump. But after 3 days of operation with the bubble wand, I have realized it is creating a really strong current in my tank. I went back to the lfs and the guy sold me this http://leesaqpet.com/PICCAT/product_index/item/14104-14/ for 99 cents. So now I am left scratching my head. What comes first the check valve or flow valve when connecting the tubing or does it matter?

I put my check valves near the air pump. I put the flow valve somewhere I can reach it so I can modify the fow of air (for me that's near the top of the tank).

Jenn

Hello -and WElcome to Koko's!!!

Very smart to have that check valve. As you know, it is a protection against accidental water flowing back into your airpump - something that can happen if you unplug it or the power goes out.

The air flow valve, on the other hand is not bothered by water. It would not be harmed nor would it harm anything if it were to fill with water. So it makes no difference where in the loop you place it. I put them in where ever they are convenient for me to reach so I can adjust the flow easily!

..I've had experience with the water backsyphoning into the flow valve and dripping out (there must have been a gap or something) and flooding the floor, so i would always say put the check valve before anything else

WOW! Really. Oh my, that is a royal pain! I guess I will go take a closer look at mine. I generally use one check valve just before the pump, then split the air after with a regulator on each of the subsequent lines to control them. That way, I only need one check valve. Perhaps I am saving a penny and wasting a pound! WHoa!

Good info Lucy! Thanks for telling us! I have some set up like that but I also have a couple of tanks set up as daryl described. I'll have to fix that ASAP!

Thanks everyone for the welcomes and info.

I now buy a check valve with every airstone! There was a thread about my horror on the horror board.. although it wasnt too much of a horror.. lol

With my tank/airpumps, I'm lucky I have a wide window sill about 7 inches above the top of the tank. I put my airpumps there and would not need to use a check valve. In my experience, they seem to reduce the airflow. Not to mention on another setup when the power went out, the water siphoned past the check valve. I caught it in time so leaking was minimal. Perhaps I had a defective check valve?