found a check valve device that works well for lower pressure systems on small ponds

[Criscar]

Maybe a month ago or so on a thread with GBUDD and Sugar, there was a discussion of check valves. GBUDD was correct that my system did not have a high enough PSI for a regular PVC check valve (it would have needed to have 5x more PSI, and it was a royal PITA to even figure out how to calculate from GPH to PSI in the first place, it's not a straightfoward calculation). GBUDD had suggested using a breaker valve for a washing machine, but these did not seem easily hardware compatible with my current set up. So I did a lot more googling and digging and found that there are indeed low pressure check valves for PVC (I stumbled across a single mention of one on a forum used by people with very large aquariums). So I ordered one, and it works perfectly for my small set up (300 gal above ground pond). Hopefully in the future someone who needs one will read this and spare themselves the days of searching it took to figure this all out, buy and return things, etc. Here is a link to what I got and some photos of it IRL:

True Union Swing Check Valve - 1 inch Slip x 1 inch Slip: Industrial Check Valves: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

True Union Swing Check Valve - 1 inch Slip x 1 inch Slip: Industrial Check Valves: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

www.amazon.com

 

[combatwombat]

Thanks for sharing. I’ve never used a check valve before, but plant top on my pond under construction now.

I didn’t realize they had a minimum PSI for proper operation, but I guess it makes sense. Maybe only an issue for very low flow systems?

 

[gcann]

I was looking for a good check valve....... great find, thank you

 

[Criscar]

Thanks for sharing. I’ve never used a check valve before, but plant top on my pond under construction now.

I didn’t realize they had a minimum PSI for proper operation, but I guess it makes sense. Maybe only an issue for very low flow systems?

The regular ones used for plumbing require a high minimum PSI to even _open_ in the first place, their default position is closed, so it's not just an issue for very low flow systems. Unless your system is big enough that the water pressure in your pipes will be as high as those coming off the water main that run the plumbing in your house (white water rapids, anyone? ), it could at least throttle your flow. But if you have a set up where your pipes/hoses are going up and over and then down, you can make a small hole in your hose and that will act as an air vent to prevent suction pulling the water from your upper bog/filter area. GBUDD described this in another thread, I'll link it, and I think Brokensword also added some info. I couldn't do this for my system because my pipes already entered my bog area from below.

Pump size for small pond/bog filter/waterfall (is it doable?)

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www.gardenpondforum.com