Check Valves failing on CO2 Reactor

[Allan Asis]

I switched to using CO2 reactor (ISTA max mix and SERA look alike) a few months ago because it's amazing!

However, I noticed that when CO2 is off, the water coming back from the reactor is able to penetrate through the check valves. I'm using metal check valves by the way.

Even the built-in check valves in the bubble counter it's able to penetrate through it so i always end up with empty water in the bubble counter most of the time. initially i thought i had a bad check valve but after replacing it many times, i still experience the same thing.

Is any of you using a CO2 reactor experiencing the same thing?

My setup is this by the way

CO2 reactor <-- bubble counter with check valve <-- check valve <-- Solenoid Regulator <-- CO2 tank

water can penetrate through up to the check valve before solenoid but since i placed the tubing such that it's downwards pointing, water doesn't pass through that valve anymore.

I will try inserting a check valve between CO2 reactor and bubble counter and extend the tubing there so i can bend it downward and u turn back to bubble counter and see if this solves the problem.

[Urban Aquaria]

Thats strange... the check valve is supposed to stop water from flowing back into the bubble counter and solenoid regulator (thats what its designed for).

Placing the check valve between the bubble counter and Co2 reactor is usually the more common configuration.

For my setup, i'm also using metal check valves and the water from the tank doesn't go past my check valve, its just stops there. Not sure why yours allows water through even after replacing it many times, its quite puzzling.

[Allan Asis]

Thats strange... the check valve is supposed to stop water from flowing back into the bubble counter and solenoid regulator (thats what its designed for).

Placing the check valve between the bubble counter and Co2 reactor is usually the more common configuration.

For my setup, i'm also using metal check valves and the water from the tank doesn't go past my check valve, its just stops there. Not sure why yours allows water through even after replacing it many times, its quite puzzling.

Yes it's strange UA,
I replaced 2 of them again yesterday and still water passes through them. Brand i bought is ANS metal one. still the same... at least it doesn't pass through the last check valve before solenoid though.

[bennyc]

Sorry not trying to be insulting. Just double checking. Is the check valve installed correctly?

I am using metal check valve as well, no problem, mine is set up in double check valve configuration, one immediately after the other. If all else fail. Maybe you can try a different brand.

[Allan Asis]

Sorry not trying to be insulting. Just double checking. Is the check valve installed correctly?

I am using metal check valve as well, no problem, mine is set up in double check valve configuration, one immediately after the other. If all else fail. Maybe you can try a different brand.

Yes, I followed the arrow pointing to how water should flow. Maybe I can try doubling the valve as you described.
The bubble counter also happen to have a check valve and it's a different brand (ocean free).

By the way, in my previous CO2 setup which is using diffuser, this problem never happens. I guess it's because there's no water pressure coming from the tank when CO2 is off.
In my case now, i'm using a reactor (ISTA) so when CO2 is off, there is high pressure of water coming from the reactor which is being pushed by canister filter. so along the tubing, everything gets pushed including the water in bubble counter. the check valve in bubble counter is supposed to stop it as well but it doesn't.

[bennyc]

My guess is there is remaining pressure that keep the valve half closed. But that is just a guess at best. When i was setting up, many have warned me about the bubble counter and check valve, therefore i have stayed clear of that.