So i finaly got my check valve and my airstone. The airstone is actually a flat round airstone and is 5 inches in diameter to be in my 10gallon. Is it to big? though i have a tetra whisper air pump for 10-30g.And how do i place the check valve? Do i put it closer to the tank or closer to the pump? (just to make sure since i heard so many different ways people put it). Or does it even matter?And lastly, do i put the OUT side of the check valve facing towards the tank or the pump?Thanks! after this im ready to install it!
The airstone is not too big, unless it causes the water to bubble right out of the tank. Then you will need a valve to divert the excess air to an unused air line. If the airline is already cut, just put the check valve wherever the airline ends. If it's not cut you can put it anywhere. The arrow on the check valve should point toward the aquarium. If it says IN and OUT, then the OUT is on the aquarium side. If you want to test it to be sure, blow in one end of the valve. You can't blow air into the side that connects to the aquarium. Be sure there is a drip loop in the air pump electrical cord. If water were to somehow get in the air pump or drip on it, water might follow down the outside of the electrical cord and go into the the wall outlet. To make sure that doesn't happen be sure the cord is looped down lower than the outlet and then loops back up before it's plugged in. Get a second airstone any time in the next few weeks. About once a month, trade airstones, putting the recently used one into a jar with white vinegar. A week or so of soaking will unclog the airstone so that it can be used again several times before needing to be discarded. If you do have excess air, I find that running a piece of airline tubing to a spot away from sight and putting a short piece of pipe cleaner in the far end will muffle the hissing sound of the excess air.
Adequate the purpose you let a tank cycle in the first place is due to the fact of Bactria needs to grow that will maintain your water clear. As for overstocked. I consider your proper on the threshold of being over stocked. Just preserve the tank walking a lil longer and spot if it clears up. But when your 15 gallon tank has the filter from the ten gallon tank that could be why to you dont have sufficient water moving around to scrub it
