Billbug68
Aquarium Advice Addict
The plastic check valves do leak. I've always had problems with them so I never use them. I've always kept my generator behind my tanks rather than below the water line so I've never had water syphone. For me, simple is better with DIY, because the low pressure is so unforgiving. One minuscule leak and it won't work. For me, it's a 2 liter bottle behind the tank, and airline straight into the diffuser. I do get some nasty growth on the ceramic, but I just clean it off with a tooth brush every water change. 2 cups sugar, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon yeast. Lasts about 2 weeks steady lime green in the DC.