need good check valves

**nilocg** · 07-14-2012, 01:02 AM

I have the similar ones tha gla has for $5 each plus shipping: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=161411

150EH · 07-14-2012, 01:18 AM

I know this crazy but I but the $20 German medical grade plastic super low CP valves from Aquarium Plants.com they work good and last forever so far.

snafu · 07-14-2012, 02:54 PM

Why is that crazy? It's good to spend a few extra dollars on a good quality product. I've used dennerle valves on a couple systems and now prefer those to the others.

Cardoc · 07-14-2012, 05:39 PM

The medical grade ones are not good, I had one for three months and it started to let water past it. I was not happy with those and they are expensive. I just want metal ones they will not crack.

Nilocg are the ones you have metal? Btw thanks for the ferts my tank is exploding with new growth.

snafu · 07-14-2012, 09:47 PM

Generally medical grade components and equipment are superior to consumer grade parts. If there was a check valve that was spec'd for CO2 delivery, I would bet its reliability would be significantly better than standard aquarium or industrial stuff. Safety of life has its price.

**kevmo911** · 07-14-2012, 10:15 PM

I've used at least half a dozen of the silvery valves with the arrow ...and they've all failed. I had what I thought was a nice clippard check valve with 10-32 ports ...and that failed after a few months.

I have yet to try some valves from USPlastics that I was looking at - they're PVC with a SS spring and poppet, and only $2 apiece.

I finally decided to go with the 1/3 psi Swagelok valves, both the type with compression fittings and the type with NPT threads. I bought some extras, so I'll probably offer them in the SnS at some point. So far so good, and I've heard only good things - same thing with the Parkers. So I'm optimistic, but no promises.

Cardoc · 07-15-2012, 02:03 AM

Kevmo911 what did you pay for the swagelok valves? I talked to the people at gla and they said they would have some more on Tuesday so I think I might try theirs

**Jeff5614** · 07-15-2012, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevmo911

I've used at least half a dozen of the silvery valves with the arrow ...and they've all failed. I had what I thought was a nice clippard check valve with 10-32 ports ...and that failed after a few months.

I have yet to try some valves from USPlastics that I was looking at - they're PVC with a SS spring and poppet, and only $2 apiece.

I finally decided to go with the 1/3 psi Swagelok valves, both the type with compression fittings and the type with NPT threads. I bought some extras, so I'll probably offer them in the SnS at some point. So far so good, and I've heard only good things - same thing with the Parkers. So I'm optimistic, but no promises.

I've had the same experience with Clippards and the silver ones so I started using plastic valves. I get as much mileage out of them and they're cheaper to replace.

**hedge_fund** · 07-15-2012, 02:42 AM

How do you know whether a check valve fails? Does it just leak water? If so, how does water even get in there? I use the little silver one with the arrow but always thought it was just a "in case" type of thing...didn't know that water always backs up in there?

07-14-2012, 01:18 AM	#17
150EH Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (27/100%) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Churchton, Maryland Posts: 5,369	I know this crazy but I but the $20 German medical grade plastic super low CP valves from Aquarium Plants.com they work good and last forever so far. __________________ Eheim Pimp #92 2.5 Gallon Shrimp Nano 10 gallon Metaframe Planted 150 Gallon Tank Journal

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

07-14-2012, 01:02 AM	#16
nilocg Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (324/100%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: PacNW Posts: 2,143	I have the similar ones tha gla has for $5 each plus shipping: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=161411

07-14-2012, 02:54 PM	#18
snafu Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: surf city, cali Posts: 711	Why is that crazy? It's good to spend a few extra dollars on a good quality product. I've used dennerle valves on a couple systems and now prefer those to the others.

07-14-2012, 05:39 PM	#19
Cardoc Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: May 2011 Location: st.louis,missouri Posts: 135	The medical grade ones are not good, I had one for three months and it started to let water past it. I was not happy with those and they are expensive. I just want metal ones they will not crack. Nilocg are the ones you have metal? Btw thanks for the ferts my tank is exploding with new growth.

07-14-2012, 09:47 PM	#20
snafu Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: surf city, cali Posts: 711	Generally medical grade components and equipment are superior to consumer grade parts. If there was a check valve that was spec'd for CO2 delivery, I would bet its reliability would be significantly better than standard aquarium or industrial stuff. Safety of life has its price.

07-14-2012, 10:15 PM	#21
kevmo911 Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (32/100%) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 3,750	I've used at least half a dozen of the silvery valves with the arrow ...and they've all failed. I had what I thought was a nice clippard check valve with 10-32 ports ...and that failed after a few months. I have yet to try some valves from USPlastics that I was looking at - they're PVC with a SS spring and poppet, and only $2 apiece. I finally decided to go with the 1/3 psi Swagelok valves, both the type with compression fittings and the type with NPT threads. I bought some extras, so I'll probably offer them in the SnS at some point. So far so good, and I've heard only good things - same thing with the Parkers. So I'm optimistic, but no promises.

07-15-2012, 02:03 AM	#22
Cardoc Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: May 2011 Location: st.louis,missouri Posts: 135	Kevmo911 what did you pay for the swagelok valves? I talked to the people at gla and they said they would have some more on Tuesday so I think I might try theirs

07-15-2012, 02:42 AM	#24
hedge_fund Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (57/100%) Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Greenwich, CT Posts: 2,579	How do you know whether a check valve fails? Does it just leak water? If so, how does water even get in there? I use the little silver one with the arrow but always thought it was just a "in case" type of thing...didn't know that water always backs up in there?