going to buy a python

[timbo83]

im thinking about buying a python. i was just wondering what everyone thought of them.

[Weezer]

Good product, the Bee's knee's........:thm:

[timbo83]

thanks. i think it will make cleaning my 11 tanks a little easier. it takes to long to clean all them with a reaguler siphon and buckets and then fill then back up with buckets.

[Hurley]

I think my phython is the best purchase I have ever made. It makes water changes go much faster.

[0live]

i love my python almost as much as i love fish keeping.

[fishorama]

I was a bit disappointed, mine is kind of slow to syphon & doesn't suck hard enough draining into the tub to pick up everything especially in low tanks. Plants that get sucked in are hard to get out the other end.

I have a 50ft hose so it's a bit of a pita to drain & wind up. Too much bother if I'm only doing a couple smaller tanks.

Still, it's great on the refill & I'm not sorry I got it. There's a definate learning curve, I've gotten better at it, it's been 4-5 months now.

[excuzzzeme]

Don't. You can buy all the parts and a garden hose from your local hdw store for less than a "Python". The faucet adapter is a waterbed adapter. Some hdw stores and almost all bedding stores have them for $5-$7.00.

[tarquin375]

I was a bit disappointed, mine is kind of slow to syphon & doesn't suck hard enough draining into the tub to pick up everything especially in low tanks. Plants that get sucked in are hard to get out the other end.

I have a 50ft hose so it's a bit of a pita to drain & wind up. Too much bother if I'm only doing a couple smaller tanks.

Still, it's great on the refill & I'm not sorry I got it. There's a definate learning curve, I've gotten better at it, it's been 4-5 months now.

You can adjust the speed of the syphon by letting your water run, the the faster the water is out of the faucet, the faster the syphon. Also, you can suck the water out of the hose pryor to winding by letting the faucet run.

[irishspy]

One thing I've wondered about: what about the temperature of the water from the tap going into the tank? Does it matter if you're a few degrees off if you're changing, say, 20%? :confused:

[tarquin375]

A degree or two one way or the other will be okay.

[DAVIDFBT]

The python is the best invention in aquariums since the impeller for filters IMO. I'm always off by a couple degrees either way, but my fish always seem to be okay with that.

[GuZZiZZiT]

There is no way i would have the time to manage as many tanks as i do without a python. A must have for large tanks or multiple tanks.

[StarStruck8]

I think its worth it just for the tank refill. I use a smaller gravel vacuum to navigate around plants and I don't mind dumping the buckets out (plus I worry about sucking up fish!). It was putting water back in that took me forever (usually cup by cup as to not disturb anything), and the python makes it so quick and easy.

[josh05magnum]

I love it for cleaning, works best hooked up to my garden hose spigot, a lot more pressure there creates a much stronger siphon. I don't use for refills since I don't like to put water that contains clorine/chloramines into my tank then treat it. I prefer to fill a 5g bucket and treat that.

[nano55]

I love the python; it makes tank maintanance a lot easier! It beats dragging the stupid buckets back and forth! I just used mine today to clean my 100 gal.

[timbo83]

thank you all for your responses. i went and bought one tonite before wife wife and i went to dinner and a movie. i got the 50 ft. one because the 9 tanks in my basement are pretty far from the spigot/drain. the only thing i worry about is that i only need 35-40 feet so im not sure if all the excess hose will matter or if im going to have to customize it. and im not sure seeing that some of my tanks sit below sink level if that will matter. im just use to the idea that water flows down not up.

[zzyzx85]

make your own, if possible. I did. Cost about half of what stores around me were asking for a 50" python or imitation python.

DIY - Python Gravel Cleaner (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_python.php)

[tarquin375]

The excess hose won't make a difference and niether will your tank height. If you can't maintane a syphon, just let the spigot run, it will maintain the syphon.

[timbo83]

i used it today and i wasnt to impressed with how hard the suction was but it did the job. i love how i dont get fish water in my mouth or having to shake the heck out of the tube. and it is deffenatly awsome for filling the tank back up. oh yeah and it was nice not lugging buckets around.

[zzyzx85]

^ yup. I used my DIY python for the first time yesterday as well. It was so much easier and faster than the bucket method.

[tarquin375]

i used it today and i wasnt to impressed with how hard the suction was but it did the job. i love how i dont get fish water in my mouth or having to shake the heck out of the tube. and it is deffenatly awsome for filling the tank back up. oh yeah and it was nice not lugging buckets around.

Too much or too little suction?

[timbo83]

the suction wasnt great though. is there any thing i can do to speed it up?

[Kuthoht]

I love my python. It's a must have in my opinion.

I have strong water pressure so I have to actually use the ball valve to reduce my suction when vacuuming.

[Que]

One thing I've wondered about: what about the temperature of the water from the tap going into the tank? Does it matter if you're a few degrees off if you're changing, say, 20%? :confused:

I have a thermometer I use to take the water temperature from the tank. I set the python adapter to drain with the hose out of the water, the python is sucking air. I then use that same thermometer to test the water coming out of the bottom of the python adapter at the sink. When I get the temperature coming out to match the tank I turn the adapter to fill. Easy.

Q

[red_wall]

Geez, pythons?
Aren't those a little dangerous?
Wouldn't they eat the fish?
I didn't know they were aquatic!

Haha jk

I haven't used a python yet. But I am a little confused, does it automatically suction water out? How does it do that.
And how do you not use buckets to do your water, wouldn't the tap water kill the BB in the gravel (I know the gravel is a little insignifigant, but...), and how about the fishs' health being in tap water? I'm confused :/

[timbo83]

ive always added PRIME to my tap water while i add stright from the bucket. this thing is amazing. i was able to do my tank and my wifes tank in 20 min instead of 1 hr. i am so glad i bought it. now i have more time to spend on here. lol

[Que]

I haven't used a python yet. But I am a little confused, does it automatically suction water out? How does it do that.
And how do you not use buckets to do your water, wouldn't the tap water kill the BB in the gravel (I know the gravel is a little insignifigant, but...), and how about the fishs' health being in tap water? I'm confused :/

This is the heart of a python water change system.
77340
The top attaches to a faucet. The left side attaches to a hose with a gravel vac at the end and the bottom is a valve/drain. When the bottom valve is open and you turn on the faucet, water runs through this green plastic venturi creating a suction on the hose thus pulling water from your fish tank. After you have drained enough water you lift the vac up from the surface of the tank so only air gets sucked in. While the water is going through the green thing you match the water temp coming out with the tank water. Now when the green valve at the bottom is turned the water is directed to the hose and into your tank.

If your sink or tub is lower than the tank many people simply use the hose as a siphon and let gravity drain the fish tank. In the summer your plants will love being watered with this stuff.

Many people use Prime to remove chlorine from the water by dosing for the whole tank before adding water back in. Those who use buckets usually just dose Prime right in the bucket.

Q

[fishorama]

Well, today with my Python I again tried using the sink tap running instead of draining to the tub. I still could not remove waste the size of a pencil lead x 1/4 inch. Thank goodness my plecs are 2-3 inch. My water pressure doesn't seem weak but even in tanks 30 inches tall the Python is less than I'd hoped for.

Syphoning is slow but refills faster, not a miracle device for me.

[grannylvsfish]

I just run the hose out my front door and let it rip. cleaning the bottom as I go. it works wonderfully. I can not use it on my sinks, the focets are not the kind it takes. and so I fill with buckets. no biggie I got a teen to lift them :)

[Weezer]

Is the bottom of the faucet attachment open and pulled down all the way. i have about 50 feet with good suction, just a thought.......:)

[fishorama]

Is the bottom of the faucet attachment open and pulled down all the way. i have about 50 feet with good suction, just a thought.......:)
Yes it is for me. I can't run it out the door or I'd have an iced driveway all the time in winter. Still it does work, just not as well as I had expected.

[timbo83]

my 50 ft. doesnt seem to want to pick up some things. i have awsome water pressure. it does a good job but not like the old jiggly hose and bucket. i do love not getting water all over the place.

[blue2fyre]

I wanted to get a python then decided to try and make my own. It was super easy. Since it's winter our hose was stored downstairs so I used that got a sink-faucet adapter and ran the hose from my laundry sink upstairs to my aquarium. It's got powerful suction (also sucked up my demasoni once.) Now I had a mesh bag I put over the end once I'm done vacuuming. To drain I run the hose from the laundry sink to the tank, make sure it's attached then turn on the water for a few minutes. then I just disconnect to start the siphon. To refill I add the amount of prime needed to the tank, adjust the temp from the tap and connect the adapter.Only cost me $4.99 since I already had the hose :)

[MiramichiMob]

My python is great for water changes, but sucks the big one for vacuuming. I use the python for weekly water changes, but once a month I usually re-arrange my tank by taking everything out. This is when I go back to the old gravel vac and bucket and suck all the waste out. 4 or 5 buckets isn't much of a bother once a month, I then refill with the python. I've asked around before and many people say the python isn't great for vacuuming. I also have strong water pressure, but it just won't vacuum well.

[LiamLiamLiam]

One thing I've wondered about: what about the temperature of the water from the tap going into the tank? Does it matter if you're a few degrees off if you're changing, say, 20%? :confused:

I monitor the temp of the water coming out of the python closely by sticking my thermometer into the running water coming out. I normally like it be a little warmer (say 83-84) then the tank water (82)..

[vanillarum]

Granny, I've got a teenager, too, but getting him to do ANYTHING is more work than it's worth ! So, I changed the faucet in my lower room where 2 of my 3 tanks are. A new one was relatively inexpensive. And then I cut the 25' python to about 10' 'cause that's as long as I need it to be. I have another 25' one next level up for the 46bf. Still, both are back savers !

[yhbae]

I used python for about 3 years and it has served me well.

I had few minor problems:

- As some of you have found out, water pressure wasn't enough to pick up heavy stuff off the aquarium.
- I feel I am wasting a lot of water! Cold water going straight down into the drain for 20mins...
- Tubes are a bit cumbersome to fold and unfold. You do get used to it though.

As for the first point, what I did was, I used both hot and cold water to create pressure when I am cleaning the substrate, then turn hot water off. It will continue to suck tank water out at a slower pace. Worked good. :)

Its a great device!