How to position a check valve and an air control valve?

[An t-iasg]

Hi everyone,
I have a Tetratec 12 air pump. I previously ran it through a 3-way gang valve. Now I've seen small air control valves that aren't as big as a gang valve that I'd like to try. So how do I position the air control valve with a check valve? In the air tubing coming from the pump, would it be -- air control valve, check valve, sponge filter, OR -- check valve, air control valve, sponge filter? Thanks!

[An t-iasg]

Also, the gang valve can let out the excess air through one of the unused ports. How does the air control valve dissipate the excess air? Or does it just supress the air coming from the pump? If it does, will this hurt the pump? I thought that an in-line little valve would be nicer than a big gang valve that hangs over the lip of the tank. But I don't want to damage my pump. Even though it's a little pump, it's pretty strong, and I wonder if the back pressure from the air control valve will hurt it.