A Cheap DIY "Python" - A Must-Have for Large Tanks

Thanks xytrix01:) Glad someone appreciates the idea:p

There are dozens of different ways you could do this project. It all just depends on how much time and money you want to invest, what you need it to do, and your personal preference.

What it breaks down to is, no matter how you do it, its better than lugging buckets. I mostly wrote this for people who didn't realize that they could make a cheap and easy version to save their backs from blowing out. And, since I'm getting a 150g tomorrow, I can tell you, I am happy to not lift a single bucket to water change it.

xytrix01 - gotta say...how did you manage a mouth full of water?:D With 20ft or more of hose, you should be able to see it coming:D
 
LOL, that was back before the 25 foot hose. I had a length of like 4 feet and drained it into a bucket and carried that outside! :thud: Can you belive it? I went to start the syphon, gave it a good suck, and the water came faster than I thought it would. Needless to say I now have my pump, but i got a gravel vac and hose like you sugested, and used it yesterday. Sooo much easier! AS for how to vac the gravel, I didn't really plan on that in my little setup. I only vac when it looks like it needs it, so it isn't often enough to annoy me. I was just going for an empty/fill system with my design. I thought about attaching a gravel vac to the intake on the filter, but then all the stuff would just end up in your filter and youd have to clean that every time you vacumed.
 
BTW: Thank you Leopardess, it was your post that inspired me to do my little project. Good stuff! I kinda over-engineered mine a bit, but I tend to do that (alot).

beviking said:
So you saved $2, ended up with 5'less and still could have used more/different material? What about the TIME you invested? For $2 more you could have had all the shutoffs, hose that wouldn't collapse, 5' more hose, and some more time to appreciate your tank!;)
BTW - I did the same but have a 50'-er.
Click to expand...

Mine is about 25 feet. 20ft I bought, 5 or so feet from the gravel vac I included in the project.

Aye, if I add in the cost of the valve, (simple little plastic ball valve for $1.50) I probably saved about $0.50 :p Knock off the gravel vac, (for those that already have one or don't want to use one) and you are at around $24 (but 5 feet shorter). As for longer lengths, thats where some real cost savings come in. The lengths of hose (20ft each) were $4.50, so a 40 footer with the same materials costs about $6 more. (around $35 total.) The reinforced hose was about 5.50 for a 20 foot length, so the cost is $1 more to use the reinforced hose. The length of my gravel vac hose was about 5-6 feet, so mine is around the same length as a store-bought python. The valve and the reinforced hose go in the "Lessons Learned" department. :o I might do some research, and see if more cost savings can be achieved.

Time invested: I went to several home improvement stores looking for the venturi device, none of them even had a clue what I was talking about. Finally found one at petsmart right next to the pythons that they sell. Everything else (except the gravel vac, I got that when I bought my tank) was all in the same spot at Home Depot. For me, thats about 1.5 hours total, (including driving time!) minus the time I spent hunting the venturi. Home depot is a 20min drive each way. 30 minutes after I got home I was changing the water in my tank. That includes time for lunch. (YMMV) For me, that isn't much more time than buying one pre-made. (and much less fun!)

So: for the improved design, (with shut off valve and reinforced hose) I'd say about $30 dollars for a 25 footer, if you count the cost of the gravel vac. About the same as a store bought, with more time involved. Not worth it unless you get enjoyment from DIY'ing. (I do!) A 45 footer would be around $36, a moderate to significant savings. an 85 footer would be around $46-50.

All that being said, If you don't mind going to the sink to disconnect the hose to drain, you could do without the venturi, then don't get all fancy-schmancy like I did. Just add more hose and an adaptor to your existing gravel vac, or make one just like leapordess describes. Mad savings. :cool:

I'm the type of person that if I can build something for less than or nearly the same as something that I can buy in the store, and it is of similar or better quality, I'll build it every time. To give you an idea of how my brain works: I've looked at the power compact lighting kits that are on Aquarium Hobbyist Supply and the first thing that comes to mind is this: "Oooh! I know where to get those components, I'll make one myself!" (yeah, I'm a little crazy.) I'm a mechanic by trade and tinkering is fun for me, so I have (some) skills and I'm whacko. I built my last 3 computers, too. The first is retired, (canabalized would be a better word) and the other two me and my roomate currently use.
 
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Lol! That is so crazy! I think the exact same way!!! I stare at something and think to myself "I bet I could make that, but it would be better because I could make it do this and that at the same time!"
 
Plastic tube. I've found them to be cheaper and there is *no* possible danger of chemicals in them if you use Food & Beverage hose.
 
I recently made a DIY Python, and I found what I think is a useful improvement for both the DIY and official versions. I thought it was a hassle to disconnect the faucet aerator to use the python. In addition, the cheap plastic faucet adapter that came with the waterbed fill kit leaked and was not strong enough to stay on the faucet during the fill stage. :mad2 I looked for the brass adapter that comes with some store-bought pythons, but all my LFS had was the same weak plastic adapter. Then I remembered grandma's old portable dishwasher......

A brass dishwasher connector is a handy little adapter for connecting portable dishwashers to regular kitchen faucets. This connector has two pieces: one screws into the faucet (in or outside threads) and stays there- it has an aerator, so you can use still use the sink non-fish purposes and does not look too bad (my "python sink" is in a guest bathroom). The second part fits the python venturi and has a "quick-connect" feature for the faucet piece. When it's time for tank duty, simply pop the venturi on the faucet and go. The dishwasher connector can handle the water pressure, doesn't leak, and connection and clean-up is much easier. As for performance, the python venturi appears to work as well, if not better, than before.

I got the connector for $5.00 at Meijer, but I'm sure WalMart has them too. There is one consideration- the dishwasher connector adds a little length to the venturi. If your venturi is already a tight fit in the sink, this might not work.
 
Super Safety Siphon

Leopardness,
I just bought a super safety siphon aquarium drain, though I see that it could also easily be built, but I wanted to see it for myself before I try to improve on it. It can be seen at:

http://www.jehmco.com/PRODUCTS_/HAR...arium_Drain/safety_siphon_aquarium_drain.html

As someone pointed out in an earlier post, this device will drain your aquarium to a preset level. I bought the one with a ball valve, so that I can shut it off at the tank when I'm refilling. And I also bought the one with the big pump that can drain a 125 gallon aquarium in under 5 minutes. I think that it's a great idea. And this way, you don't need to worry about gravity, since you can pump the water uphill if you have to, like going into a garbage can, or wherever. I don't like the idea of tapping into a bathroom sink tap for water, so I go into a laundry tub tap that is dedicated for fish. Everything is quick release with the hose [you get those brass or plastic quick release devices at the hardware store, so that you can snap on a hose to your super safety siphon in seconds. I can use my python, or any common garden hose. My python also has quick release on every attachment. It's all very no fuss, no muss.

I don't use gravel, I use sand, so there is no need to vacuum, because I have an undergravel jet system as well. :dance
 
Leopardess, thanks for the pics. I was just thinking that your solution is good for those of us who may have a Lee's or Python, but the big honkin' intake is too big to get around plants and decorations in a smaller tank. I didn't think to take the intake end off and just use the hose because I figured the suction would pull up the flourite (as it does with my smaller syphon). The pic with the nylon on the end made me think about tying a piece of an old aquarium fish net on the end, as the holes are a little bigger, but will still allow debris to enter.
 
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