python???

[LMOUTHBASS]

what are these everyone is always yapping bout em'

[Gulp]

Python No Spill Cleaning system.

The thing is worth every penny. You can hook it up to your kitchen sink and use it to fill or drain your aquarium. Makes water changes very quick. It has a valve that connects to your sink and creates suction to get the syphon effect going, and can be reversed to fill. It is used to clean the gravel. Comes in several lengths. Not cheap.....but worth it to me (after spending several years walking 1 gallon containers back and forth to the aquarium, or carrying 5 gallon buckets of water around the house to dump somewhere....).

Here is a link to show you: http://www.petsmart.com/products/product_730.shtml

[Jeremy S]

Pythons are used to help you do water changes. You connect the python to your sink then turn on the cold water. This starts a siphon then you can use the gravel tub to clean the substrate. Once you have drained the amount of water need you can then adjust the temp of the water for refilling the tank. Once you have done that you can then fill up your tank. Here (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/add_info.cfm?pCatId=3910) are the directions for the python.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/add_info.cfm?pCatId=3910

[LMOUTHBASS]

i have to check this thing out!!! so you mean i can hook it up to my sink and fill my tank straight from there instead of walking gallons of water back n forth to my tank!!!

[DeVitaf]

Originally posted by LMOUTHBASS
i have to check this thing out!!! so you mean i can hook it up to my sink and fill my tank straight from there instead of walking gallons of water back n forth to my tank!!!

OMG I love this thing!

Even better, I live on the second floor so instead of running the water down the drain of the sink. I hang about 20 feet of house out my window. That creates quite a head of water. I can suck my 50g dry in 10 min :p. And refills directly from the faucet rock!

Lmouth, it is worth every penny I highly recommend it :).
-Devitaf

PS. The wife likes that I don't make half the mess with this thing either :).

[Gulp]

Originally posted by LMOUTHBASS
i have to check this thing out!!! so you mean i can hook it up to my sink and fill my tank straight from there instead of walking gallons of water back n forth to my tank!!!

Yep. :D If your water is "good" and you don't require much treatment, then it should be no problem at all. I just got one a few months ago, and I no longer dread water changes. :D

Like mentioned above though, one of the cool things is using the gravel cleaner. No more sucking on a hose, or sticking the hole thing in the aquarium just to create a syphon. You just hook it up to the sink, flip the valve to "drain", turn on the sink water and it creates a suction that starts the syphon action. Depending on your water pressure.......you can drain the aquarium even if it is lower than the sink.

[LMOUTHBASS]

let me see if i follow i read those articles -
when i vaccum the gravel i turn the sink on ? this somehow creates the suction to begin siphoning - does the water come back to the sink thuogh - it must not - is there another hose that then shoots the water out - that part confuses me a little - next q as far as putting water straight into the tank as long as i condition it while adding it by putting in de chlorinator in the fish won't get chlorine poisoning right?
im gonna have to get one of these things though but i'm still little confused on how it works

[Jeremy S]

Originally posted by LMOUTHBASS
when i vaccum the gravel i turn the sink on ? this somehow creates the suction to begin siphoning - does the water come back to the sink thuogh - it must not

Yes, the water goes to the sink. If you want to you can unhook the python once the siphon is started and let it drain in the garden or some other place.


Originally posted by LMOUTHBASS

next q as far as putting water straight into the tank as long as i condition it while adding it by putting in de chlorinator in the fish won't get chlorine poisoning right?
im gonna have to get one of these things though but i'm still little confused on how it works

Well, they say that you don’t need to use de chlorinator but I would use it just to be safe.

[Gulp]

I will take some pics of the thing setup on my sink when I get home tonight and post them. All questions should be answered then. :D

[LMOUTHBASS]

thanks a lot gulp!!! as well as the ohters who replied

[JSchmidt]

If you change much water at all, there are few better fishkeeping investments than a Python. Some folks have built their own from readily available parts... maybe they'll post here, too.

Even buying a stock Python at mailorder prices, it really is worth every penny.

Jim

[RTR]

I very strongly agree with the pro-Python comments. I don't see how multi-tank folks survive without it, except those few with high techautomated plumbed tank rooms (which does not include me, unfortunately).

[Gulp]

When you look at the thing in the store, it looks like a rip off. Petsmart wants over $70 for some hose and a cheap looking plastic attachment...... That's why I never bought one. The one I have now came with the 110 gallon when I bought it used. :D If I knew then what I know now...I would have ordered one years ago.

To connect it to the sink, you just use the brass adaptor that comes with it (I think.....I had to buy this as it was missing from my used Python) as shown:
http://webpages.charter.net/dustlee/Aquarium/PICT0011.jpg

Then hook up the green thingamabob and hose. This pic shows the bottom in the "drain" position. When you turn the water on at the sink, it creates a vaccum in the hose:
http://webpages.charter.net/dustlee/Aquarium/PICT0014.jpg

When you are ready to fill, you just twist the bottom and close it. Now the water will flow through the hose. Simple as that:
http://webpages.charter.net/dustlee/Aquarium/PICT0013.jpg

Hope this helps a little. Just forgive the crappy $50 digital camera.......it trys really hard...... :p

[JSchmidt]

Nice pics, Gulp. That shows pretty clearly how it works.

If your water pressure is good, when in the 'drain' position, the Python generates enough pull to thoroughly vacuum your gravel.

You can add dechlorinator to the tank right before you refill it from the Python.

The brass adapter is available from just about everyone who sells the Python (esp. if you get it online) and it is definitely worth the $$.

Some faucets may not have threaded outlets the same size as the Python needs (e.g., bathroom faucets); it's a pretty simple matter to get some adapters at the hardware store.

Jim

[Prometheus]

Originally posted by Gulp
[Hope this helps a little. Just forgive the crappy $50 digital camera.......it trys really hard...... :p [/B]

Tries, heck! Great pics! Thanks for the advice... maybe I ought to get one.... I am getting tired of lugging 5 gallon buckets outside in 5 degree weather...

My concern is what about the little gravel 'bits' that get sucked up into it?

For example, I noticed when I dumped my buckets into the tub small granuals of gravel would be left in the tub that I would have to clean or wash down with extra water... can't those small peices collect in the drain trap?

Thats why I throw my tank water outside now... Just not on the sidewalk, otherwise, the wife would kill me for the ice hazard ;)

[Gulp]

Originally posted by Prometheus




My concern is what about the little gravel 'bits' that get sucked up into it?



Good point. My water pressure is not very good, and the small rocks I have don't go all the way up the gravel cleaner (it's pretty tall)...but.....now that you mention it, I will no longer be draining on the disposal side...just in case. I think my wife would kill me if I got a rock in her disposal. Didn't even think about that for some reason. :eek: If the rocks are small enough to get sucked up the Python, they are probably small enough to get washed by the trap if a few make their wa to the sink.

There is a flow regulator on the Python that allows you to dial down the suction if the rocks are getting pulled through, or completey stop the flow when needed. Just don't forget to open that regulator back up when you have it set to fill.............. The seal will eventually give around the faucet connection and spray all over the kitchen. Don't ask me how I know this.... :D

[DeVitaf]

Originally posted by Prometheus
For example, I noticed when I dumped my buckets into the tub small granuals of gravel would be left in the tub

I used to use the tub, now I use the toilet (when not using the python)for pouring my old tank water into. One quick flush provides all the cleanup you need.

Just a friendly tip... :)

[Slappy*McFish]

Yeah, I pour all my dirty fish water down the toilet too.

[elcano]

Pouring untreated water into my tank seems a little worrying..

So what you could do is calculate how much water you take out, then put the amount of water treatment for that much water into the tank and then re-fill it?

[Jeremy S]

I don’t do any measurements. I just guess. I have a 75-gallon tank and I empty about 1/3 of the water so I would add enough de chlorinator for about 25 gallons. If you want you can take out exactly how many gallons you need (25 gallons in my case) and then mark the water level so you know precisely how much water conditioner to add. Not worth the effort IMO.

[JSchmidt]

On most of my tanks, I've calculated (using inside tank dimensions) the volume removed at various levels from the top. I've made marks on the side of the tank that show when 10, 20, 25 gallons, etc., have been removed. Makes it pretty easy...

Adding water directly to the tanks is no problem. Some people add their dechlorinator as the water is added, some put the dechlor in first. It doesn't seem to make a whole lot of difference.

Given how much easier water changes are, and how much more I'm likely to do them with a Python, it's nothing but a benefit to my fish to own one.

Jim

[LMOUTHBASS]

thanks for taking the time to post those pics that was really nice of you to do for someone you dont even know!!! you've got me sold on the python it looks so easy! I found a python at petco today about 25 bucks - it doesn't look like much like you said -my only other question is - when i but the python package everything i will need will be in the bag right because it will be brand new - well anyhow i'm excited to pick this thing up thanks for everyones help!:D

[LMOUTHBASS]

think they came out a lot better than my last attempt - hopefully they will look ok - i can't control the size of the pics but here goes nothing -

[LMOUTHBASS]

wrong thread not sure how i did that one!

[SayersWeb]

I had a Python at one time, but either I wasn't using it right... or it really wastes a ton of water. So, I worked out my own (similar) method.

To drain -
I have a long garden hose that I bought new and use only for this purpose. In one end I have stuffed the tube from the gravel vacuum far enough so that it does not leak. I run the other end of the hose to a drain (you can also go out a window, to a sink, etc.) and start the syphon. I vacuum the tank until 25% of the water is gone. I then pinch the gravel vacuum tube (to keep the syphon) and move to the next tank, until all tanks are down 25%.

To fill -
I attach the same hose to the faucet and leave the gravel vacuum hose attached at the aquarium end. And then fill as you would with the Python. Adaptors are readily at the hardware store that allow you to connect a garden hose to a faucet.

The one useful thing about the Python is that it seems to allow you to pump water out of a tank to point that is higher than the tanks water level, which you could never do by syphoning. Of course you could always syphone to a bucket that has a powerhead atached to a hose to do the same thing.

[WarriorZ]

If you don't hook up your python to the sink and just lay it outside, is that enough vacuum to pull the dirt out of the gravel?

Tank is in the basement, and I don't think I have enough water pressure to pull it UP stairs into the bathroom sink?

Thanks

[Gulp]

Originally posted by WarriorZ
If you don't hook up your python to the sink and just lay it outside, is that enough vacuum to pull the dirt out of the gravel?

Tank is in the basement, and I don't think I have enough water pressure to pull it UP stairs into the bathroom sink?

Thanks

Yes. It's a 1" diameter tube if I remeber correctly (correct me if I am wrong), and water flows pretty quickly through it. Once you get the syphon action going, you will have no problems if you keep the exit lower than the aquarium.

[LMOUTHBASS]

i'm gonna get one of these but when i hook this thing up i dont think i want the dirty water going down my sink - once the siphoning begins can i disconnect the hose and squirt in into the toilet ?
from my understanding of how this thing works is that when siphoning the water it comes back into the tube and goes into that green thingie which then disperses the water down the sink - so the dirty water never touches your faucet or anything right?
i'm just wondering if it will work if i unplug the hose in mid siphon n drop into the toilet i dont want to get anything caught going down the sink drain plus i just dont want the fish water in my sink ;) thanks guys

[Jeremy S]

Yes, you can. Once you get the siphon started you can unscrew the green faucet pump and put it anywhere you want.

[fish_freak]

Heres a link to buy the python at big als. Its only 22.50 for the 25 footer like 35 for the 50' one.
http://www.bigalsonline.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi

[Gulp]

Originally posted by fishfreak21
Heres a link to buy the python at big als. Its only 22.50 for the 25 footer like 35 for the 50' one.
http://www.bigalsonline.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi

For whatever reason........"hotlinks" to BigAl items never work. Click on your link and see what I mean. I have no idea why they coded it like that...... It makes it hard to give them free advertising... :p

[RTR]

The Python in theory operates at a 7:1 ratio - that is, it pulls 7 gallons from the tank for each one from the tap. If your tank is higher than the tap, it will be more efficient than that once started. If your tank is lower than the tap, it will be less efficient. I'm more than willing to accept that degree of inefficiency for the convenience - I could not and would not operate the tanks I do without it.

[bayoupr]

Greatest invention since the aquarium.