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Thread: Air line and non return valves.
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19-09-2020, 05:55 AM #1
Air line and non return valves.
As the title really, where can I get air line and non return valves? At the minute I've bodged together some old hose pipe
I've done a few searches but can't seem to find non return valves. It's to fit to 2 jaebo pumps a 75 for the nexus and a 35 for the pond air.
Thanks
Jay
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19-09-2020, 06:50 AM #2
Non return valves create back pressure and aren't reliable long term so the swimming pool industry tries to design systems that don't need to use them.
For koi pond air pumps, if you're using an air stone or a ceramic plate diffuser and you can take the air line in a loop about 150 mm (6 ins) above the water level, you won't need a non return valve because, when the pump is switched off, the water can't surge into the air line and begin a syphon.
The simplest solution for the Nexus if possible is to fit the air pump above it.Last edited by Manky Sanke; 19-09-2020 at 06:53 AM.
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19-09-2020, 07:32 AM #3
Back pressure is a big killer of air pumps so avoiding non return valves will get the best life out of your pumps. When I had an uncovered Nexus I had a piece of granite patio slab over the exit chamber on which my air pumps sat so they were above the water level to prevent back syphoning when off. In my new set up the pumps are on a shelf stand which means they sit just lower than the water level so I have the air lines looped above the water level before entering the pumps instead, as per the before and after pic of my filter setup below.
Other ways to prevent back pressure on your air pumps is to ensure all air lines are of equal length and diameter when using a split manifold, and to not split the flow between two different functions, eg a Nexus bio chamber and an air stone in a pond. To reduce flow it's better to not close down manifold valves too much (if they have adjustable flow taps) , but off-gas through a spare one. Put a dry airstone on a line to your off-gassing valve to reduce the noise if necessary. I learned these tips directly from the Tech dept of Charles Austen after frying my HiBlow 80 from using it for both my Nexus and Pond airstones, which is why I now have 2 air pumps
If NRVs are still needed, you can buy them cheaply off Ebay or any aquatic retailer. You just need to know the internal diameter of the airline you are using and make sure the valve you buy matches that and not the external diameter size!
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19-09-2020, 08:20 AM #4
Thanks the indpeth responses I shall bon the idea of the valves and use a simple loop
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19-09-2020, 09:55 AM #5
Jay what I found with the air ring in my nexus 320. Is it does not keep it clean good enough. So I bought a manifold and air stones and put them in the bottom of the nexus. As well as running the air ring.
Quite a lot of people have done this lol.
Fred
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19-09-2020, 10:40 AM #6
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19-09-2020, 10:48 AM #7
Hi Fred, just out of interest (as I no longer have my Nexus!), where did you add these airstones for keeping the Nexus clear? My understanding is that the air in the outer bio chamber is purely for oxygenating the water for the bio and, if all is working as it should, then debris should not be getting through to this area. Are you talking about the central chamber if using a draco drop in?
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19-09-2020, 01:24 PM #8
No in the outer chamber. The draco don t get everything lol. If theres finer stuff then the mesh size. The crap was in the feet of the nexus 320. Since I put 5 air stones in the bottom. Clean nexus this year taking all media out and nothing there. So it works.
Lots do it. The inside air ring was took out.
When drop in draco was installed.
Fred
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19-09-2020, 02:49 PM #9
I get my air line fittings from coastal https://www.coastal-koi.com/shopping.php?class_id=118
2016 new 6000 gallon pond
https://www.koiforum.uk/pond-construc...ghlight=feline
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19-09-2020, 03:55 PM #10
Hi all,
I did the same as Fred with my Nexus and replaced the outer EA air line with 6 off 2 inch air stones on a loop. (After recommendation on this forum)
I definitely recommend it, the K1 media turnover is much better and there are now no dead spots at the base of the outer chamber.
You need to use 10mm pipe to feed the replacement loop so that you can clip it into the existing nexus pipe clips. I then used 10mm to 8mm T’s to feed the air stones via 8mm pipe. The air stones I bought had 4mm to 8mm inlets and I just cut the 4mm section off to allow for an 8mm feed.
Cheers
Ady
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20-09-2020, 05:12 AM #11
Nice one ady. What I think the problem is with the air ring in a nexus. The holes point upwards. And it just blows upwards. And any settlement goes under neath and can settle. So laying the air stones on the bottom keeps everything moving. That's my theory. Before I did this. I had crud in the bottom. I take my media out in spring time once a year. To check. The last 2 years. Nothing has been there. Since adding the air stones. I trust it more now.
Peace of mind as well. And as you say mate. It boils the media a lot better
Fred
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20-09-2020, 09:13 AM #12
Just a thought - but rather than replacing the air ring, you could take it out, punch more holes in its underside and pop it back in. I used to do this on the airline diffusers in my aquariums as they never came with enough holes, or holes that needed a needle pushed through to make them work properly.
The tube in the nexus would need a better tool than a needle, but I'm sure you could find something pointy and strong enough for the job. May need to heat it too to help get it through the plastic. Anyway, just thought I'd mention this in case someone wanted to give it a try!
Interestingly, I didn't ever get much debris in my Nexus out chamber at all, but I did have probs with my Draco at times letting crud through - and not just particles too fine for the mesh - but I'll write about that in @paulbaines thread about a 220 Drop In hopefully later this evening. Pond day today! Pre-winter prep and scrapes. Everything crossed nothing is found.
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20-09-2020, 12:16 PM #13
Hi Koiz,
Yes drilling more holes in the EA air pipe is actually a cheaper option.
The pipe itself is made of harder plastic than just normal air pipe so I think you could just use a 1mm drill on it.
There are a couple of threads on this forum where people have mentioned doing this but I wasn’t too sure if it had been successful - where as Andykoi and Fred had actually stated that it worked successfully with the two inch air stones.
My other concern was if I botched it I’d be stuck with no air in my bio until replacement parts arrived.
So my thinking was if I ordered the stones and airline and it didn’t work I could just revert back. You can always use the stones for other things.
I’m happy with the outcome but others may think it’s worth just drilling more holes in the existing pipe in the first instance.
Cheers
Ady
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20-09-2020, 01:19 PM #14
@freddyboy , Now I'm forced to go out to peer into the depths my 220, flips sake !
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20-09-2020, 01:35 PM #152700 G Above ground, Nexus 220, EA 24 bead, 1m 2 tier custom Evolve shower 9kW Thermotech ASHP
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20-09-2020, 02:21 PM #16
nice one on checking mate. 5 years ago i had 5 or 6 fish with bacterial problems. ulcers and all that.
that was my problem. crap in the bottom of my nexus. so i added airstones in the nexus. and not had
a problem since. i still empty media out every year. to have a looksy.
fred
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20-09-2020, 03:06 PM #172700 G Above ground, Nexus 220, EA 24 bead, 1m 2 tier custom Evolve shower 9kW Thermotech ASHP
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