I just got my Python from bigals and it works great. I did a 50% WC in my 150G in about 20 mins. but i was wondering if i have to leave my water running the whole time it is sucking water out. Also is it bad to suck all the bottom stuff up into the sink, won't it stop it up over time. thanks for the help.
Another Python ?
- Thread starter 04cobratorchred
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if the bottom of your sink is higher than the bottom of your tank, I believe you'll need to leave the water on. If, however, your tank is higher, you can turn the water off. The python uses about 1 gallon of fresh water (from your tap) for every 5 you siphon from your tank... so, depending on the size of your tank, this may be a water waster.
I'm torn... my flowers love the old fish water, but it's just so EASY to use this and let it run down the sink!
I'm torn... my flowers love the old fish water, but it's just so EASY to use this and let it run down the sink!
I usually turn off the water and let gravity do the hard work once it's started. That said, If I find I need a little more umph out of the suction I just turn the water back on as I need it. I am also very lucky in that my kitchen is the next room over from my tank. Not far to go back and forth. I think sometimes you just need to try different things and find what works best for you.
For truly HUGE projects (people will cringe) I use the garden hose. Bring it inside, stick it in the tank, go back outside and turn it on. Then unscrew the faucet end of the hose and put the end of the hose into the flower bed. VIOLA. Empty tank in no time flat.
I learned this trick from emptying hot tubs and pools... works on big tanks too.
It may seem obvious to some of us, but from reading a few threads around here, it seems that a lot of people don't understand the basic physics of a siphon. When one has a solid column of water (think of a drinking straw, filled up) water can move in either direction, depending on which end of the column is lower. So, by filling the column (by turning on the faucet, or filling your siphon and holding your thumb over the end, or by sucking on one end of the siphon tube) and then making sure that the place you want the water to GO is lower than the place you want your water to come from, you can use gravity to do your work. Even if you fill up the siphon by moving water in one direction (say, into your tank) but then STOP sending water down the hose, as long as the water column is whole, it will begin to pull water back in the direction of the lowest end of the hose.
The python, however, uses venturi action to overcome this obstacle, which is why you would continue to run the water if your sink is higher than your fish tank. Hope this clears up some of the questions that people seem to keep asking.
Best of luck!
I learned this trick from emptying hot tubs and pools... works on big tanks too.
It may seem obvious to some of us, but from reading a few threads around here, it seems that a lot of people don't understand the basic physics of a siphon. When one has a solid column of water (think of a drinking straw, filled up) water can move in either direction, depending on which end of the column is lower. So, by filling the column (by turning on the faucet, or filling your siphon and holding your thumb over the end, or by sucking on one end of the siphon tube) and then making sure that the place you want the water to GO is lower than the place you want your water to come from, you can use gravity to do your work. Even if you fill up the siphon by moving water in one direction (say, into your tank) but then STOP sending water down the hose, as long as the water column is whole, it will begin to pull water back in the direction of the lowest end of the hose.
The python, however, uses venturi action to overcome this obstacle, which is why you would continue to run the water if your sink is higher than your fish tank. Hope this clears up some of the questions that people seem to keep asking.
Best of luck!