I've seen these, and they seem like a good idea, but how do they work? Does the dirty water go right into your drain? What if someone gets sucked up? When refilling, wouldn't the water be untreated and hurt your fish, or do you just treat it when you're done refilling and they are fine? Where do they hook up to?
How do Pythons and similar things work?
- Thread starter BioHazard
- Start date
The hook up
They come with an adapter that fits most kitchen sinks
The use standard water hose fittings
Waste water goes down the drain or in my case out the door to my garden
Treating
Draw off the waste treat what is left in tank and refill
And yes you have to be careful and not suck up you lil fined buddies
They come with an adapter that fits most kitchen sinks
The use standard water hose fittings
Waste water goes down the drain or in my case out the door to my garden
Treating
Draw off the waste treat what is left in tank and refill
And yes you have to be careful and not suck up you lil fined buddies
Yes my understanding is you put the water treatment directly into the tank then add the water from the Python. Some people have commented that they treat based on the entire tank volume, and not just the amount of water added.
the pump works on a venturi. the knob/valve on the pump direct water thru the pump which draw water past the opening and creates suction.. .
turn the knob and the flow is routed to the outlet/inlet line.
yes water goes down the drain.
I hook it up to a garden hose in the summer it the waters and fertilizes the lawn.
add conditioner for the volume of the tank try to match water temp.
turn the knob and the flow is routed to the outlet/inlet line.
yes water goes down the drain.
I hook it up to a garden hose in the summer it the waters and fertilizes the lawn.
add conditioner for the volume of the tank try to match water temp.
Yes. The water coming through the python is untreated, so you need to dose Prime (or whatever you use) directly into the tank.
We do have to be careful not to suck up fish or other critters when gravel vaccing or draining water. If that does happen, though, there's a quick shutoff valve right at the end where you're using it. Turn that off and watch the snail or small fish float back down, safely. You have to get used to using these.. and never leave it going without paying attention.
If you have a sand substrate, it's also a good idea to place a basin in the sink so that won't go down your drain if you accidentally suck up some sand.
We do have to be careful not to suck up fish or other critters when gravel vaccing or draining water. If that does happen, though, there's a quick shutoff valve right at the end where you're using it. Turn that off and watch the snail or small fish float back down, safely. You have to get used to using these.. and never leave it going without paying attention.
If you have a sand substrate, it's also a good idea to place a basin in the sink so that won't go down your drain if you accidentally suck up some sand.
I love my Python. 
I have little fishes so unless I'm actually gravel-vaccing (in which case it's not too hard to avoid sucking them up) I use some pantyhose held onto the vac with an elastic band. Works fine for me.
Um... one note, make sure you watch your sink to make sure it's draining right. One night ours was draining slow for some reason and I kinda flooded the kitchen.
I have little fishes so unless I'm actually gravel-vaccing (in which case it's not too hard to avoid sucking them up) I use some pantyhose held onto the vac with an elastic band. Works fine for me.Um... one note, make sure you watch your sink to make sure it's draining right. One night ours was draining slow for some reason and I kinda flooded the kitchen.
Personally, I only use my python to refill. I found that using it to drain was more of a waste of water and time than a standard gravel vac and a bucket. Plus, I can use the fish-water to water my plants (they love it!), and I feel slightly more green about my life. LOL
But I will say that the python does come in handy for refilling, especially when you've got tanks that require more than a couple gallons of water to re-fill. I usually dose the tank with the de-chlorinator stuff as the water starts going into the tank. Get the temp somewhat similar to the current tank temp, and watch it fill.
But I will say that the python does come in handy for refilling, especially when you've got tanks that require more than a couple gallons of water to re-fill. I usually dose the tank with the de-chlorinator stuff as the water starts going into the tank. Get the temp somewhat similar to the current tank temp, and watch it fill.
python has 1 hose. the pump regulates the direction of the flow. open and water flows to the sink closed route water thru hose.
they are designed to hook into the spigot of the faucet. but a handy person can re plumb for their preference.
they are designed to hook into the spigot of the faucet. but a handy person can re plumb for their preference.