Check valve

[stephk]

Hello, 

So if I get the USB nano air pump, tubing and the never clog air stones do I need to get a check valve?  I'm a little confused about the check valve.  This will just be placed in my 9 gallon Fluval Flex.

Thanks!

[lefty o]

i would never run an airline into an aquarium without a check valve.

[FishyJames]

If your air pump is placed below the water line than you should use a check valve.  Its made so your water doesn't back up and create a siphon emptying your tank in case of a power outage.

[Brian P]

Definitely use a check valve, the first air pump I set up a year ago did not have one and the pump fried the first time I hooked it up.  I guess I had no idea water ran downhill.  Put check valves on all of your air pumps in my opinion.  It’s cheap insurance.

[shkote]

That's one of the best things about the USB nano pump, you can hang it higher than the tank and don't need a check valve. It's virtually silent, even if it's hanging on a wall... no vibration at all. 

[stephk]

Thanks everyone!  Getting a 16 gallon tank...should I go with the small or medium sponge filter?

[Streetwise]

I would go with one or two of the Nanos, which are are a little easier to hide behind plants and wood. I have a pair each in a 16, and the same for each of my 20s.

Edited December 25, 2020 by Streetwise

[Maggie]

I have a small in my 20L and would definitely not recommend a medium for a 16. Wish I'd done 2 nanos like @Streetwisedid. 

[Streetwise]

I use the Small units on my really short tanks (sometimes without the uplift), where the low height is the key factor. I use the Medium size in tubs and utility buckets.

[stephk]

I like the idea of two nanos because they are easily hide-able but then I need two lines going to the pump, correct? I would need an air pump that allows for two connections? 

[Streetwise]

You could probably use a Nano pump with a splitter, but I just use one pump per sponge for simplicity. There are lots of options here.

[gardenman]

Back to check valves for a second. I like to put one as close to the aquarium as possble. We had a kitten who chomped some airline tubing just beyond the check valve and got a bit of a splash of water in her face. She tore through the house and when I went to see what had scared her, I found water pooling on the floor under the tank and the severed airline. I now put check valves right up at the edge of the tank to make it harder for an incident to drain the tank.