Cleaning the filter catridge with Python

[aardvark1]

Got a Python the other day; great for water changes and cleaning the gravel. But got to thinking (always Dangerous!); how do you clean the filter?

With the old siphon into bucket method, I would remove the cartridge and swish around in the bucket and then re-install. With the Python I'm assuming that the water coming out the bottom of the venturi thingie is a mixture of tap water and the dirty siphoned water, which I'm thinking (there I go again!), isn't the best for the bacteria on the cartidge.

Ideas?

[ghost_shrimp]

I thought about the same thing after I got my Python. What I do is I still use a normal gravel vacuum to syphon one or two buckets of tank water. I use that to rinse out my filter media. Then I use the Python to finish cleaning the rest of the tank. I figure carrying a bucket or two is a lot better than the several buckets I would have to carry if I didn't use a Python at all. Of course, I can fill the tank directly from the faucet without carrying any water.

[Roan Art]

No need to carry a bucket of water. Just syphon the water out of the bucket with the python when you are done.

Roan

[Zeromason577]

I do what roan said, I just take a 5 gal bucket, use old gravel vac to fill it up some, rinse my media and then use my python for the rest of the cleaning/filling
and when Im all done suck the water out of the bucket with my python.

[aardvark1]

Thanks!

Good thing I kept the bucket and old siphon!