DIY python type replacement

[Bkman]

i live in a very old house, and the faucets in the only area near my tanks are very old, about the size(length and width) of a pinky finger, and i cannot attach any type of python to them. What i would like to do is take a 55 gallon trash can, and make it so that I can keep treated water in it, (aged, dechlored, softened and such) and have some type of pump/long hose fitted to it so that i can pump the water straight into the aquariums. I would also like to create with this unit or seperately, a way of pumping the water out of my aquariums to another trash can(which in turn could be pumped down the drain) or a way to pump it directly down the drain. Any help would be appreciated, The regular syphoning method with buckets is killing my back as well as taking a large chunk of time out of my day. I have already looked into getting new faucets, and to do so the tub/sink would have to be replaced, so that is not an option for me. Thank you!

[5xevy]

How close is your tank from your sink(s)? To get the water out of your tank, can you syphon it into the garbage bin and then drag it to your nearest door and dump it outside?

As far as getting the water from your faucet without buckets, I keep hearing that places like Home Depot have adaptors that would fit the Python. Maybe someone else who knows more about that will be along. Do you have a Home Depot, or something like that near you?

[Bkman]

searching online and at all the hardware stores i have yet to find any type of adapter that i could get to work on either the sink or tub faucets. my tanks vary from 30 to around 50 feet from the closest faucent drain. I live on the top floor, so just dumping them outside wouldnt really be feasable, and i doubt the homeowner would appreciate it(i just live on the top floor), plus having to drag/lift large buckets of water is one of the tasks im trying to get rid of, (although its an easy substitute for going to the gym and lifting for that day).

[pugwash]

Have you tried a rubber shower tap attachment to join your Python to the sink tap? It worked for me, as I had a similar problem.

[Sploke]

As far as syphoning goes, why not jusst run a hose right out the nearest door or window? Thats what I do.

[DrJoe]

As far as syphoning goes, why not jusst run a hose right out the nearest door or window? Thats what I do.

Answer:


searching online and at all the hardware stores i have yet to find any type of adapter that i could get to work on either the sink or tub faucets. my tanks vary from 30 to around 50 feet from the closest faucent drain. I live on the top floor, so just dumping them outside wouldnt really be feasable, and i doubt the homeowner would appreciate it(i just live on the top floor), plus having to drag/lift large buckets of water is one of the tasks im trying to get rid of, (although its an easy substitute for going to the gym and lifting for that day).



One self -priming pump and a couple of valves to re-direct the pump input from tank to aged water will do it too.

Pool & spa parts suppliers have several different valve assemblies that could work but are a little pricey.

Dr Joe

.

[Bkman]

I tried the rubber shower attachement, it didnt work, wish i had a digy to send you a pic of the fauset ~~ imagine a faucet about the size of a pinky finger, round, but th outline all the way around curves bigger and small like this ~~ if that makes any sense

DrJoe, I am mechanically stupid, how would i go about setting this up?

[wataugachicken]

if you want 2 separate units - both large trashcans placed on fitted round dollies for easy movement:

Unit 1 Wastewater: Buy 6-8 ft. of drinking-water safe clear tubing to use as siphon tubing. Use it to get water out of the tank and into the trashcan. Or buy a cheap gravel vac, the kind w/o the faucet attachment.

Unit 2: Use same tubing/gravel vac placed over the faucet to get water from faucet to can #2. Buy tubing that fits over the faucet head easily, but without slipping. Getting water from tap is better because you can match the temperature. Or alternately, set up a heater in your aged water so there is no discrepancy between new water and tank temp.
To pump water into the tank, buy a pump rated for a small pond. put it in to the garbage can, and pump the necessary amount into the tank.

When you are finished filling up the tank, use the pump to get the waste water out of the trashcan and down into the sink or bathtub.

[Bkman]

thank you WC

[kjf91004]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=3922&N=2004+113164

Would the piece labeled G work? I think it is threaded on one end to fit into the python, and has just rubber and a hose clamp on the other end to fit any faucet configuration.

[Anns914]

Would it be possible to go to the hardware store and purchase a new faucet for around $40 so the python would connect. It sounds to me like this would solve all the problems even if you had to re-plumb the whole sink and it would be cheaper in the long run. Just a thought.

[wataugachicken]

first post:

I have already looked into getting new faucets, and to do so the tub/sink would have to be replaced, so that is not an option for me.