Shut off valves for my plumbing?

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the lion who ate the sun

the lion who ate the sun

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Mar 11, 2014
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georgia
Is it necessary to include emergency shut of valves in my drains? I'm using hose, and the sump will only be filled to 50%. I hadn't considered until now, when I am installing everything (I'm new to sumps and plumbing).

Tank is 300gallons with dual overflow boxes and durso drains. Sump is 135g. I'm not sure that I understand why I will need the valves if I never overfill my tank.
 
I mean ball valves to stop the water when necessary. As it stands my drain and return lines consist of piping on the tank side and hose beneath. No special valves or anything like that. Will it work or am I inviting problems?
 
Anyone?
 
No reason to have valves on the drains to me. Only check valves on the pumps. Once the pumps turn off, only so much water can go thru the overflow before it levels out and stops.
 
Will I damage my pumps without check valves? Can I get them at home depot?
 
You won't really damage them but if you lose power and you keep the return below water level and don't have a siphon break drilled in somewhere, the water will drain backwards and back thru pump into the sump You can get them at Home Depot. You can get them in PVC and can screw right onto your pump if using submersibles
 
Or just keep your returns high enough that they leave the water after the water drops a little. It also gives you better surface agitation.
 
Great advice all around. Is there any head loss associated with check valves?
 
Yes there is some head loss. Every type and brand would be different. (spring loaded vs gravity)
 
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