Best water changer/gravel vac

[Kuhlifan]

Do you guys prefer the python, aqueon, lees or other brand?

[CWO4GUNNER]

Well normally I would say nether and recommend the Lee's Gravel Vac which used to cost half of what the python cost. But now you can get the Python no spill kit for between $31-$38.

But if you really want to save cash all you really need is one garden hose fittings and the main part if you already have the hose. Truth be told as long as you haven't used your garden hose with a chem or fertilizer sprayer the garden hose and the Python valve is all you need for a fraction of the cost ($6).
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11s39e8Kt-L._SL500_AA200_.jpghttp://www.amazon.com/Python-No-Spill-Clean-Fill-13-B/dp/B000255NVE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1257541247&sr=8-3

[DiscusOnly]

I don't like to waste water using one of those Python. I prefer to drain tanks using gravity.

[Rbishop]

Python..but I never use the faucet attachment

[CWO4GUNNER]

I don't like to waste water using one of those Python. I prefer to drain tanks using gravity.

I don't blame you, but it doesn't waste water unless you allow it. I use it cause it great for filling the tank with a standard hose connection and starting the siphon on a tank rather then getting bacteria laden water in your mouth sucking on the hose at the foot of the bathtub.

I just start the siphon then move that hose to the tub while connecting a separate fill up hose to the water eductor to fill up another tank.

Also when Im all done I like to evacuate all the bacteria laden water out of my hoses in the suction mode. The little water I do waste is well spent.

All these valves were designed after the Navel Peri-Jet Eductor used for dewatering flooded ships compartments when no pump was available by just using the water main itself. Was introduced in the early 70's
http://www.dcfp.navy.mil/equip/peri-jet.htm

[SubRosa]

Why would anyone have to suck on a hose to start a siphon? Submerge the gravel cleaning tube, allow it to fill completely and then raise it so it drains out the hose. Pinch the hose to stop the flow before the gravel cleaning tube is completely empty. Resubmerge and start siphoning.

[theicequeen]

I use the python. works great but we dont sell it anymore so I pray that a piece doesnt break on it.

[RodInCALIFORNIA]

if a piece does break you can find it on the internet so no worries there.

[CWO4GUNNER]

And besides that there are no replaceable parts the system is made up of separate generic replaceable components, hose, eductor, hose fittings, vac tube. Anyone of which can be replaced by any of the competitor parts. Just like having socks go bad you don't toss out your wardrobe.

[CWO4GUNNER]

Why would anyone have to suck on a hose to start a siphon? Submerge the gravel cleaning tube, allow it to fill completely and then raise it so it drains out the hose. Pinch the hose to stop the flow before the gravel cleaning tube is completely empty. Resubmerge and start siphoning.

Oh common now I'm sure you sucked on a hose of some type in your life to start a siphon.

[SubRosa]

Not once I learned the trick I posted.

[CWO4GUNNER]

Not once I learned the trick I posted. Of course we all leaned, but you never sucked a hose to siphon anything? Oh please...:rolleyes:

[SubRosa]

This seems to really bother you. Get over it and be grateful I taught you something you didn't know.

[CWO4GUNNER]

This seems to really bother you. Get over it and be grateful I taught you something you didn't know.

OK tiger ;)

[SubRosa]

Alcohol, and internet forums are a bad combination!

[RodInCALIFORNIA]

" Alcohol, and internet forums are a bad combination! " AND
so is a know it all type of forum poster - have a nice night ! :)

[JimL]

I have a "Python No Spill Clean & Fill [75']" I got from "Petsmart" for about $75. I wouldn't want to be without one. I found a "Faucet Pump" for the python the other day (again at "Petsmart". I don't have a lfs) for about $6. I've tucked it away some place safe. I hope I never have to use it. But if I need one I got it!

[Kuhlifan]

All you have to do to start your standard $8 gravel vac is put it in the water and shake it up and down for a minute. That's simple. I'm just tired of filling and lugging several old milk jugs of water around the house to refill the tank when I've finished vacuuming.

[theicequeen]

you can also use a turkey baster from the dollar store to start a syphon. Just squeeze the air out then put it in the hose and release, it also works for us at work when we start a drip acclimation.

[CWO4GUNNER]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzRZMMNCvu4

[DieselJunki]

Oh jeez now I feel dumb hahaha. I've always sucked on the end of the hose to start the syphon.

[CWO4GUNNER]

If you have a 50ft empty dry reel of hose, sometimes sucking is way easier as you cant get mouth washed becasue of the length. But once the hose is full of dirty water and looses siphon I just hook it to the Python and let it start the siphon back up, then disconnect and move it back to the tub or garden.

[stratusfearrr]

python all the way!

[CWO4GUNNER]

I believe the fresh water waste on any of the python valves (eductor) in the siphon mode (down) is 2 to 1, that is two gallons of fresh water down the drain to 1 gallon of siphon dirty water down the drain. If I did not disconnect from the Python after siphon after start up to let it drain naturally in the tub/garden which is about as fast anyway, instead of sending 300 gallons of dirty water down the drain on water change day Id be sending 900 gallons of fresh and dirty down the drain.

In the fill mode (up) there is no waste except for the tiny leaks on the valve.

[rainbowcharmer]

I use the Python - sort of. For draining the tanks, I use the front end of the python hose (the gravel vac side) attached to a garden hose that goes out the door and waters my garden. To refill, I use the rest of the python - the faucet attachment and the long python hose fill the tanks. Takes me about 10 minutes to do a 25%-50% water change on both my 46 gal and 10 gal. Once my 75 gal is up and running, I'm sure that will add another 10 min or so to my routine, but this has been by far the simplest way to do it. I've tried a number of methods, and this works great for me. :)

[Jspigs]

I just use a regular gravel vac with a hose attached to it and I use a turkey baster held up to the end of the hose where the water comes out to start the siphon.

My biggest tank is 10 gallons but I have yet to do a water change on it because I am in the process of fishless cycling it.

[FISHSHROD]

Boy I'm glad I don't have to vacuum . I use a garden hose to drain to the bathtub and let the floatvalve system filler up on my 30 and 125 .Works like a charm and slowly fills the tank so there is no drastic change to temp and all. The 10 in the kitchen siphons into the sink and the faucet spay thinga majiggy is right there to fill er up.
Now the 10's in the bedroom get the usual siphon hose drain and a 5 gal bucket -o-water each .

[nano55]

Definitely a python!! Mine is almost 16 years old and still going strong!! I have needed to replace a couple of reasonable parts on it, but nothing major. Wouldn't be without it!! I have 2 tanks to clean; a 100 gal and a 110 gal. Does a wonderful job!

[JamieB]

I don't like to waste water using one of those Python. I prefer to drain tanks using gravity.


Anyone who has used a Python knows you waiste very little water, you need the water to run for a minute or two then shut water off. I bet i do not waiste a quart of water maximum, whenevr I do water changes with the Python.:frog:

[Kuhlifan]

Huh, I never thought this would be a big thread....

It's funny, for a couple of years now I've had "python envy," wishing and hoping to have one yet too cheap to buy it. Now that I'm thinking of doing it, most people seem to do the opposite (while when I was unwilling to part with the cash it seemed like EVERYONE was doing it...such is life).