A check valve is used to prevent water from siphoning out of your aquarium. If water siphons out, it will usually damage the air pump and lead to water on your floor. In extreme cases, this can lead to fire if electronics are sitting in water.
A Must-Have for Every Air Pump
A simple check valve is all that stands between you and a floor full of water. If your air pump is below the top of the tank, you absolutely must add a check valve between the air pump and the air-driven device (e.g., sponge filter or aquarium decor). If the air pump ever loses power or gets turned off, the check valve prevents water from traveling down the airline tubing due to gravity.
Don't Forget About the Brine Shrimp
A common "air-driven device" that people often forget about is their brine shrimp hatchery. We have personally lost power in the middle of the night and experienced the pain of cleaning up fishy, rotten brine shrimp all over our counters. So don't forget to add that check valve!
I have used MANY of these check valves. If I need more, I will purchase additional units from Aquarium Coop. I am satisfied.
K
Kevin D. (Montreal, QC, CA)
Stops backflow
A small but critical safety device that works really well!
M
Meredith C. (Seattle, WA, US)
works, prevents disaster
solid basic aquarium accessory, good value
D
Damien W. (Washington, DC, US)
Simple and effective
I picked up one of these for my new 40g. It's a great basic check valve that works well. I like the fact that it is clear, makes it easy to keep track of the direction.
M
Michael C. (Mentor, OH, US)
Good checkvalve
Check valve assures peace of mind in case the power goes out so no water flows down the tube. Easy to use.
D
Dale K. (Ruckersville, VA, US)
Good check valve
It works great. Seems make good
J
Justin H. (Idaho Falls, ID, US)
Solid essential
Use them on all my Coop air pumps. Great product at a great price.
T
T (Chapel Hill, NC, US)
.
M
Mel A. (Jacksonville, FL, US)
Check Valve
The check valve was easy to install.
T
T L. (Marietta, GA, US)
Check valve
This check valve was one of the first purchases I made from Aquarium Co-op. It is straight forward, as check valves go, just attach to the air line and it's all set. Shipping was fast, packaged well and received a cute vinyl fish sticker as a bonus. Couldn't be happier with the team at Aquarium Co-op! Highly recommend!