Aquarium divider & Python gravel cleaner. Love them ? [Archive]

plah831

08-22-2006, 11:42 PM

I have an aquarium divider (don't remember if it's Lee's or not) but it came with black edges to put around the clear plastic divider, does that sound like the same one? The divider itself is a mesh with little round openings. The holes are hard to clean and fill with algae that my snails can't get at. I think I'm going to have to use a scrubber brush to push into and clean the holes, otherwise water circulation will be cut off :(

I love the Python. It saves me tons of spillage, backache, and mess. The only problem I have with it is I don't take the time to tighten all the parts at the faucet-end, so when I turn off the hose end during refilling, water starts squirting out of all the connections, often resulting in puddles by my kitchen sink. It's a small price to pay, and could probably be prevented if I took the time to make sure all the connections (and there are quite a few) on that end are tight. For large tanks, it's an absolute must. Without it, I would be doing much fewer water changes.

Some people complain that its suction power is not enough, but I have absolutely no problems with using it for siphoning.

YoFishboy

08-23-2006, 12:03 AM

I do have Lee Brand dividers and they have worked out well. i often use them for separating fry or for temporary housing for males after spawns, emergency housing for fish that go "postal", etc. And my Python is indispensable. Plah831, experiment with different washers to get a better seal.

plah831

08-23-2006, 12:07 AM

I do have the Lee's divider, I just looked it up. It's probably better for short-term use.

I don't think it's a washer problem, because it's leaking mostly between the various green parts (especially the one with the pointy bottom, and around the drain/fill thing at the bottom) and not at all where it attaches to the faucet. I think it's just user-error :)

jennfier

08-23-2006, 12:07 AM

Yes, that should be Lee's. The other one is Penn Plax I think and it has far fewer holes and seems flimsier. I'm thinking about using it to separate a pregnant female so it won't get harassed. The plastic breeding trap stresses her out too much.

I've just been hemming & hawing on the Python because of price but I'm also getting tired of spillage (on carpet), heavy buckets and the mess. I do want to dump the old water in my plants though.. maybe use a bucket to catch the water at the tap?

plah831

08-23-2006, 12:12 AM

maybe use a bucket to catch the water at the tap?
it's spraying straight up, though, due to pressure when I turn close off the refilling end. It's kind of frustrating because the piece on top screws one way to tighten onto the faucet, the next piece tightens in the other direction. So to tighten one, I almost have to loosen the other :mad2: I may just spring the $9 or so for the snap-on faucet connector, which shouldn't require twisting.
Sorry to bore you with the technical difficulties, jennfier.

the waste water should be great for plants, with all those yummy nitrates and other plant nutrients :) I don't believe the tap water conditioners should harm plants, but I could be wrong.

Mgamer20o0

08-23-2006, 4:24 AM

i never got the point of tank dividers. just get another tank but thats me. i hate to do a water change with out my Python. just wish i got the longer one at the time i thought ah 25 feet why would i need longer. well i was wrong.

JimZi

08-24-2006, 7:12 AM

On the Python. I actually picked up a Lee's brand one. Works just ok as a vac but it's probably because I don't have the highest water pressure. Anyone note a difference between brands?

starrystarstarr

08-24-2006, 9:28 AM

i have a Python and it works awsome!!!

mostlycichlids

08-24-2006, 9:45 AM

I also have a python best investment I ever made I can clean all my tanks in 2 hours
120g
(2) 55g
20g
10g
5g

Ms.Bubbles

08-24-2006, 9:45 AM

I'm with plah on the Lee's tank divider. I took mine out because it was impossible to clean. One side is kind of rough and spiky and you can't run a cloth over it to wipe it. Plus it's really flimsy, which makes it very difficult to clean and prone to buckling. Also, the metal clips that are used to hold the plastic strips onto the tank are good and snug, but a real eyesore.

If I were to do it again I would probably just buy a piece of plastic canvas from a craft shop instead of the mesh.

loaches r cool

08-25-2006, 1:37 AM

With the python I went from dreading monthly water changes to almost enjoying weekly water changes! Definatly worth the $25 I paid!!!

The only problem I have with it is I don't take the time to tighten all the parts at the faucet-end, so when I turn off the hose end during refilling, water starts squirting out of all the connections, often resulting in puddles by my kitchen sink.

plah831, I have the same thing happen if I try to shut off the valve at the aquarium end of the line when the faucet is still on. Since I dont like to have to use a wrench to get the thing off again I dont want to tighten it too tight. So all you have to due is shut off the water from the faucet first and you wont get water spraying from the connections.

mostlycichlids

08-25-2006, 10:10 AM

I just wrap a wash cloth around mine when I start it sprays on the inside of the wash cloth and just drips down the drain no messes I just ring the washcloth out when I am done. This also helps so the water dont hit the sink hard during the draining and dont splash out of the sink.

aardvark1

08-25-2006, 12:48 PM

H3D

08-25-2006, 1:07 PM

On the Python. I actually picked up a Lee's brand one. Works just ok as a vac but it's probably because I don't have the highest water pressure. Anyone note a difference between brands?

I have both. I just purchased the Python and cannot believe the difference. The Lee's brand one does clean near as good as the Python because of that stupid claw on the end of the gravel tube. I vac my gravel every week and when I first used the Python I pulled so much gunk out of the gravel that I could not believe it. Trust me huge difference.

H3D

08-25-2006, 1:10 PM

I've just been hemming & hawing on the Python because of price

Go to PetSmart and have them price match their own webpage (they will) and you can get one for less than half the shelf price.

o2bndsea

08-26-2006, 10:05 PM

I am waiting on my new tank to cycle and I have 3 questions about those vacs (I have a Lee), if you please. 1) How do you regulate the temp of the water going back into the tank? 2) Do you put the water treatment in the tank and then add the water? 3) Do you treat the whole tank? Or guess at the amount of water your putting back in?

Rbishop

08-27-2006, 5:53 AM

I recommend treating for the whole volume of the tan and add straight to the tank and then begin the refill.

You adjust the hot and cold to get the temp you need, then twist the diverter to redirect the water to the tank instead of to the venturi that creates the suction.

loaches r cool

08-28-2006, 1:56 PM

I usually mix up a cocktail of water conditioner along with fertilizers and baking soda. Because of all the other stuff I have in there I usually dont add it all at once but about 1/3 at start, another third halfway through and the last third near full. Probably unnecessary but I dont want to through all that in to a half full tank. If your just putting in a water conditioner its probably just as good of idea to put it all in at once.

I do the finger method to get the right temperature, that is I take a small plastic dish and scoop some water out of the tank. Then I run the faucet with the python in the gravel vac mode but with the shutoff valve closed so it isnt sucking water out of the tank. I get the water close, double checking it with my finger against the water in the bowl. Once the temp settles out to be the same then I open the shutoff valve then go back to the sink and switch it from vac to fill (if I switch it before opening the shutoff valve there will be alot of pressure and it usually sprays water around the sink). You'll probably find out quickly what works for you, its really not that complicated.

xiaosong

09-09-2006, 10:03 PM

What I did with my tank when I first set it up was to add water a gallon at a time for 5 gallons (this is for a 55) and then mark where each gallon is on the tank. You can then measure how much each gallon is with a ruler and then mark it for the whole tank.

So I basically have a clear piece of tape with gallon and 5 gallon markings running along one seam of the tank so I know how much water I take out and also allows me to add the right amount of conditioner to the tank when I put water back in.

mostlycichlids

09-15-2006, 2:29 PM

My method is to start the water filling with tap half on (lower pressure), shut off valve, walk to tank, start filling, walk back to tap, turn on all the way, walk back to tap to shut off when tank is close to full.

With water off, close valve, empty water in tube into tank, carry siphon end to sink, turn on siphon/water and suck the water out of hose. Store Python until next use.

Takes longer to type this out than to actually perform the task!

:dance2:
That sounds like a good way but how do you know you arent changing the water temp when you are doing this? I have tried it and it always changes the water temp so I quit doing it. Maybe mine is more sensitive.

plah831

09-15-2006, 2:32 PM

yeah, Paul, that's exactly my problem too. If I move my tap even a tiny bit, the temp could change by 5 degrees! Maybe I've got my water heater cooking too high, but I like hot showers :D

sometimes even during the tank refill time (like 5 minutes or so), the temp still creeps up.

mostlycichlids

09-15-2006, 2:39 PM

mine is pretty ok I use a thermometer to adjust the temp coming out of the python and when it is where I want it I turn the valve to off and run it to the tank and turn it off. This usually gets me to within a degree or two of where I want it. My faucet is very touchy as well. Off the subject but glad to see you got admin duties Paula.

plah831

09-15-2006, 3:06 PM

Thanks Paul!

aardvark1

09-15-2006, 4:27 PM

OOOOH! A new Mod!

:thm:

Never have noticed any great difference in the water temp; if any maybe a degree or two. Monitor the digital and floating thermeters and no great chNGE.

lehcar1

11-27-2006, 5:19 AM

i live in australia, any ideas where i can get a python? sounds really great.

rbel

11-27-2006, 7:41 AM

I do want to dump the old water in my plants though.. maybe use a bucket to catch the water at the tap?

We currently use the old water on interior and exterior plants and they all thrive on it. I have been put off the Python due to the waste water problem (the venturi based system also wastes tap water as well as the old tank water) and the cost of them in the UK ($120 for a 50' unit). I am looking at a small external pump to remove the water and pipe it to wherever we need it.

desertgoldhound

11-27-2006, 8:43 AM

I don't like anything other then a good old syphone hose with a bigger ridged tube at the other end. I would rather hall my water. I use this for watering some of my plants. You can hock up a pump to a hose and run it to what ever plant you wont. It is the best water around for plants. Don't use deviders I have extra tanks laying around in storage. Shut I have a 200 gal I made awhile back that I don't have room for right now. I am trying to find a new place though :o)