Airlines issue by check valves

[AdamS]

I am at my wits end on this issue. My airlines continue to blow themselves off of the check valves.   I have read through this forum and a few others looking for advice and have tried what I have found, but my issue continues.
 

Setup:

Air pump to 5 way splitter, each of those lines has a check valve right before the lines go into the aquariums to an air collar.  These lines are 2-5 feet each, on the longer lines this issue happens more frequently but the shorter ones do it too. I have 2 setups like this that are exhibiting the same issues.  The issue doesn’t seem to always happen at the same check valve and takes about 6-12 hours between incidents. 
  
What I have tried:

- Barbed check valves, super glue, and zip ties. I thought this one would work out, but now the airlines right on the pump blow off. 
- Barbed check valves and zip ties. Still blew off. 
- traditional check valves, zip ties, and duct tape. This didn’t hold up any better than just the airline itself. 
- Moving pump above the aquariums and removing the check valves.  This one works but does not have my spouses approval. 
 

The only thing I can think of that is left for me to try is super glue the airlines right to the pump, but before I do that does anyone have any suggestions?  Does anyone know of any check valves that would have lower pressure build up?  This can’t keep happening as it is sucking the joy out of the hobby for me. 

[lefty o]

at that point, i would try a different brand of air line.

[Lynaea]

I was having that issue with clear silicone airline, I bought this set and this airline snugs down all the way onto these check valves and does not blow off. 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08YXF82QB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

of course I can’t guarantee it won’t still blow off your pump, but it has stayed on mine. 

[TOtrees]

I would say one or both of these things is the problem: a) your pump is too powerful, or b) the check valves are too restrictive.  You might need to add a bleed valve to your system. 

Do you have the option to install/mount the pump above all of the waterlines, so you don't need check valves? 

[HelplessNewbie]

Have you tried pressure release valves? I recently posted about it.

[Pepere]

On 9/23/2024 at 9:27 AM, AdamS said:

Moving pump above the aquariums and removing the check valves.  This one works but does not have my spouses approval. 

I am guessing the lack of approval revolves around aesthetics…

 

perhaps a small aesthetically pleasing  wall mounted cabinet to contain the air pump…single electrical cord leading up to it and single or dual air line down a manifold at tank height might encourage her to reconsider…

 

Otherwise, trying different airline hose and or different brand of check valve…

[AdamS]

I will try the pressure release valves today.  Looks pretty simple. 

[Cory]

What air pump are you using?

[AdamS]

I am running “Hygger Adjustable 5W/10W Aquarium Air Pump with 2 Ports”, set to the lowest setting. 

[mynameisnobody]

@AdamS I would never buy anything but the coop airline. I’ve heard these issues before, but it’s always been a non issue for me. 

[AdamS]

I put a bleed valve before the splitter (“T” with a control valve) and checked all of the airlines to make sure they are good. hopefully it holds. 

[AdamS]

The bleed valves didn’t work. I’ve already had an airline pop off. 

[AllFishNoBrakes]

I assume you have a single line coming from the pump, and then being split out? Perhaps try a single check valve from the pump outlet prior to the split. 
 

Personally, if I was having this issue, I would try different check valves. 
 

I have a couple hygger air pumps (5w versions, dual outlet, set to max) and I run a single line off each outlet, and each line has a check valve. Never had an issue. 
 

The only time I’ve experienced a line blowing off a check valve is with co2 and clogged diffusers. 

[AdamS]

I have new check valves coming tomorrow and will try putting them inline before the splitter.  Does anyone have any recommendations on check valves?

 

current setup:

-pump with 2 outlets

- one air pump outlet has a bleed valve (1/2 of the way open) going to one side of the 5 way splitter

- other air pump outlet goes to the other side of 5 way splitter

- splitter #1 goes to air collar - 2 ft away.  Check valve in the last foot.  1/2 of the way open.

- splitter #2 goes to air collar - 3 feet away.  Check valve in the last foot. 1/2 of the way open

- splitter #3 goes to air collar - 4 feet away.  Check valve in the last foot. 3/4 of the way open

- splitter #4 goes to air collar - 5 feet away.  Check valve in the last foot.  Fully open

- splitter #5 goes to air collar - 5 feet away.  Check valve in the last foot.  Fully open

[AdamS]

I started with the very common check valves but they have tapered ends and didn’t work well. (Tried both red and black colored, no difference)

I next tried the simple looking barbed option

…and the ones I have coming tomorrow  

 

If anyone has a recommendation on another version to try I’m all ears. 

[HelplessNewbie]

On 9/24/2024 at 2:31 AM, AdamS said:

I started with the very common check valves but they have tapered ends and didn’t work well. (Tried both red and black colored, no difference)

I next tried the simple looking barbed option

…and the ones I have coming tomorrow  

 

If anyone has a recommendation on another version to try I’m all ears. 

Me, too!

[AdamS]

I’ve got the new check valves in place and zip ties on each end. This type of check valve seems to be less restive and I had to slightly change up my five way splitter to equals out the air into each aquarium.  I just replaced the last check valves one for one. 
If this doesn’t work I will move the check valves to be right off the air pump valves and super glue everything. Unless anyone has any ideas, more than willing to try it, I dread coming downstairs and hearing the airline hiss sound. 

[HelplessNewbie]

On 9/24/2024 at 3:33 PM, AdamS said:

I dread coming downstairs and hearing the airline hiss sound.

I asked this before, when I posted about my airlines popping off: is there a way to tell the air got disconnected? @AdamS, what you said makes me wonder if one can rig a sensor that detects the hissing sound, or, changes in turbulence or flow in the tank or in the air-driven device (e.g sponge filter)?

Anyway, good luck!!!

[AdamS]

I’m sure there is a way to put a pressure gauge into the air loop, but I don’t think I want to go there as that only lets me know there was a failure and doesn’t fix the issue. 

I am hopeful that the new check valves or the super glue will work. 

[jwcarlson]

I'd REALLY suggest that you try a different air line before you start gluing stuff.  I've never had a single airline come loose when it was just sitting there pumping.  Some will come off when disturbed, but it's always the more rigid stuff.  ACO air line and similar high flex tubing, I've never had any issues with it.

[HelplessNewbie]

On 9/24/2024 at 4:24 PM, jwcarlson said:

ACO air line

I love that stuff!

[AdamS]

So far the new check valves are holding. The real test is going to be if they all still hold over night.  

[Matt B]

I know this is more than likely unhelpful, but,  🫣 , I don't use check valves. 🤞 I keep the pumps above the water line and have never had tubeing problems like that. I use one co-op pump per sponge filter.  However, these are small tanks I'm running.  I was actually wondering how many people have had the nightmare of a tank draining by siphon? I can only imagine the mess! 😬

[AdamS]

No blow out this morning, first time in quite a while. Hopefully it holds out. 

[AdamS]

Two airlines blew out sometime during the night, two seems odd. 
I put them back in how they were knowing they will likely blow out again and have ordered the airline @Lynaea suggested above and it should be here tomorrow. When it comes in I’m going to superglue the check valves to it but I won’t super glue the air pump yet.