Anti-siphon on spray-bar

[WalterMelon]

I am setting up a turtle tank, and I want to prevent back-siphon from the spray-bar into my sump. I know I can put a check valve in-line with my pump (but this reduces the flow and to get a 3/4" check valve is a bit too spendy) or I can drill a small hole near the water line. I'd rather not do the hole near the water line as it'd spray on the surface and I'd like to avoid that as it would remove all the CO2 I would be adding to the water. I was thinking of putting an airline check-valve at the top the return line, that would let air in, but would not let water out. A little something like this:

Also to start the siphon I was thinking of placing a check valve on the top of the siphon pipe that would allow me to suck air out, but not let air back in.

Would this work? Or would I just end up with a ton of bubbles getting sucked in on the return line, and having water coming out the airline tubing on the siphon line.

Any thoughts?

 

[BushFishRox]

all that is going to do is suck air in if anything at all... I would just drill a hole just below the surface...

I am curious as to why you are adding Co2 to a Turtle tank?

 

[Dr Joe]

The anit-syphon hole goes just below the minimum water level.

Air line check valves will leak air as they are made to stop water (especially over time).

Do you already have the overflow boxes?

And I too am curious about the co2.

What kind and how big are your turtles?

Dr Joe

.

 

[chesterthehero]

a small hole below the waterline works great.. maybe 2gph flow out of mine (the line itself passes 350-400gph) it stops the back syphon in under 3 gallons when i kill power


a check valve for starting the syphon works great and is easy.. however save youself a lot of headach and use the one in the pvc as nothing more than a connector.. put a second one on the end of the tube.. they dont work after they get wet..

 

[jersey600]

I am curious as to why you are adding Co2 to a Turtle tank?

i'm putting my money on plants

 

[WalterMelon]

I am curious as to why you are adding Co2 to a Turtle tank?

-BushFishRox

I'm planning on getting a Male Mississippi Map turtle, and their natural habitat is heavily planted. And yes I know that turtles can be hell on plants, but I'm going with fast growing and strong rooted plants, that and anacharis. I don't mind picking out anacharis chunks now and then, and If some of it gets eaten... it'll grow back fast enough.

Do you already have the overflow boxes?

-Dr Joe

No not yet, I'm building them out of Acrylic myself, but I am limited on the depth (Front to Back) of the tank, stand and plumbing. I have a little over 21" to work with before the front end is up on carpet and the whole thing is tilted.

a check valve for starting the syphon works great and is easy.. however save youself a lot of headach and use the one in the pvc as nothing more than a connector.. put a second one on the end of the tube.. they dont work after they get wet..

-chesterthehero

Ok so no check valve on the spray-bar, and I can use one to start the siphon, but put it on the side of the airline tubing that i suck on to get the siphon started.