Aquarium divider & Python gravel cleaner. Love them ?

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.
 
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.
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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.
 
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.
 
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:
 
JimZi said:
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?
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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.
 
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?
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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