re: check valves

["Daphne Freeman" <daphne_freeman at charter.net>]

Hi Tom, thanks for replying.  I went from an external CO2 reactor to an
internal due to multiple problems.  The reactor worked fine, it was just the
associated issues that drove me nuts.
1.  The external seemed to get gunk in it frequently and for some reason, I
had to replace the hoses every time I cleaned it.  They worked fine until I
pulled a hose off one of the barbs, then every connection leaked whether I
had pulled it apart or not.
2.  Because of my stand design (hood and lower stand are one giant piece),
the reactor had to go under the tank which forced me to use a rather large
power head that along with two big hoses(input/output)was unsightly.
3.  As a result of the one piece stand issue, every time I had to take the
reactor out to clean it, I flooded under my stand.

The internal comes completely apart to clean and I can use a tiny powerhead.
I can shove them both down in the very back of my tank and all I have at the
top to hide is a power cord and a CO2 line.  It is actually easier to hide
as odd as that probably sounds.

Admittedly, I am a gadget freak, but automated systems have worked well for
me, I wouldn't have an orchid alive if it weren't for automation.  My water
is really soft and the pH issue seems, at least to me, to be a more delicate
balance with this water.  It probably isn't and I am in denial.

I had never used a check valve after the bubble counter until I found water
in my stand ha, ha.  The CO2 input is actually on the reactor in this
situation versus feeding it into the power head before.

The check valve I removed was an old Whisper one I bought 20 years ago and
used with my air pump.

Daphne