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!
Does what I expected it to do. No problems with leaks or water getting into the air pump.
W
William H. (Greensboro, NC, US)
Nice, well made check valve.
Love the robust construction and the fact the device is transparent so you can see the condition of the valve.
M
Michael N. (Houston, TX, US)
Good so far
I haven't had any power outages to really test it yet, but it was easy to install and the air is flowing freely.
J
Jim R. (Haledon, NJ, US)
Check Valve
K
Karin W. (Marysville, WA, US)
Work great
These check valves work great as are easy to connect to tubing
S
STACEY A. (Virginia Beach, VA, US)
Works well
Works well, easy to install.
If you get it wrong, no air comes out so just flip it around. Pretty idiot proof
D
David G.
Necessity and clean design
T
Tim R. (Indianapolis, IN, US)
Check valve.
Easy to install. Went with 2 sponge filters and needed them for the airlines.
K
K.M. (Kent, WA, US)
Review of Aquarium Co-op check valve.
The check valve is an excellent safeguard against unwanted back flow of aquarium water to the air pump should the positive air flow stop in to the aquarium during a power outage or any reason the air flow stops. The Aquarium Co-op check valve is a low cost quality item that is well worth obtaining and installing in-line with your air supply to your tanks. If you are not sure if you are setting up the check valve in the correct direction, it is easily determined when you run air into the sponge filter, air stone or other devices needing air. No air will flow if you have installed it backwards. I find that in general that Aquarium Co-op products are quality items sold at reasonable prices and this item is no exception.
D
Daniel F. (New York, NY, US)
Easy to use
Easy to assemble and use, and a must have item if the air pump is below the tank level.
