Vinyl tubing o.k. for DIY python??

[beviking]

Just checking out material for a DIY Python and Home Depot sells 20' sections of vinyl tubing for <$3. I already have the gravel tube and 6' "tail" which accepts a standard garden hose male/female end ($1.69?). Anyone know if the vinyl tubing is fish safe? Will it crack in a very short time??

[OCSupertones]

ya, the vinyl should be just fine, but to double check, put some in a bucket over night, and then make sure the readings are the same as when you first put it in...ph,etc.

[superjohnny]

I never seem to use the valve. For a good DIY Python just get the piece that fits to the faucet and the piece that fits the tubing to that faucet piece.

A piece of this and a piece of that, BAM, you got you a Python :)

[OCSupertones]

you never use the valve?

you mean the valve that switches the water direction?

[superjohnny]

no no the one bye the vacuum. I just leave it "open." I hook it up, turn it on, run to the end so i don't spew water all over the floor, put it in the tank, reverse the flow, pump the water out then reverse the flow to fill the tank. Soooo easy. I'm thrilled to have one.

[beviking]

I wondered about that switch. Seems like you could stand at the faucet with gravel tube in hand, turn on the water to fill the entire hose with water, carry the gravel tube end to the tank, set it in so the gravel tube is up to let any air out, and submerge it to start the syphon. I haven't bought the switch yet, or the tubing for that matter. I couldn't find the piece that connects to the faucet that switches the flow, so I picked up a cheap ($2) garden hose diverter (looks like a "Y"), the type that has little "ball valves" in them. The holes in the "ball" part looked too constricting so I drilled it out to the same size as the inside of the housing. Preliminary testing shows that it works. We'll see...

[OCSupertones]

Oh, ok, i understand now johnny.

Hey beviking, you can have your lfs order that piece...they can get it for you for about $5 usually

[kuhli]

You can buy the faucet pump at walmart(water bed drain and fill kit). I used 35 feet of 5/8 Home depot vinyl tubing. I also used gardenia quick release fittings and valve from HD. I call it the BOA lol. Way better than the python for about 15 dollars less.
Kuhli

[beviking]

I looked at Walmart and HD for the water bed kit and couldn't find it. I asked at HD, they don't carry one. The inbreds...I mean employees...at Walmart were too busy (I was in a hurry actually) to help me. If I ask and they know more than me, what would that make me?;)
I thought about the quick release fittings too. You say they work well huh? Maybe I'll check 'em out.

[Woozledad]

I was going to buy the python, I knew I could get it online for about $25, but in an effort to support local merchants I went to Petsmart and other LFS and they all wanted $39.99-49.99....screw that, I like supporting the local folks, but they outta throw in a tube of KY with that sale... While waiting to order from BigAls, I happened to be in Walmart and found the Python 25' system for $29.97...so I bought it....now I can't wait to do a water change so I can try it out....how weird is that..:rolleyes:

[quick061]

they do work well. i ordered a 25' one from petsmart.com a little while back because i could get it for like 20-25 shipped so i went for it. water changes are much easier now without the bucket (and trust me, 25% changes on an 80gal every week takes a lot of buckets of water :) ).

[beviking]

Yeah, Petco wants $50 for the 25' Python! Ouch!! Heavy on the KY please!:D

Retracting my Walmart employee comment made above, I was in there last night and back by the linens where the waterbed sheets are was the $5 faucet attachment! I found it aw by mythelf! Silly me, looking for it in hardware or in the faucet section. I'm still going to try the $2 garden hose "Y" adapter to see if it works well enough. Hey, $3 is $3!!