How do you keep fish out of the Python?

I put a mesh cover over the intake when I walk away from the tank...I think it is an extra media bag for my aquaclear. I usually let the python drain the tank while I clean the bottom with a smaller gravel vac. I have found that the python is too big and doesn't have as much suction.
 
in all my years i never had any problems until a couple weeks ago. it sucked up one of my threadfin bows. i went out side to grab it before it got out but wasnt able to then lost it in the grass. 10 mins after draining i went out side was able to find it and it lived.... didnt help with your answer......

you can just put some mesh over it. i would use something with bigger holes then media bags. you still want it to suck up the dirt. you wont be able to gravel vac with a mess on though.
 
Mgamer20o0 said:
in all my years i never had any problems until a couple weeks ago. it sucked up one of my threadfin bows. i went out side to grab it before it got out but wasnt able to then lost it in the grass. 10 mins after draining i went out side was able to find it and it lived.... didnt help with your answer......

you can just put some mesh over it. i would use something with bigger holes then media bags. you still want it to suck up the dirt. you wont be able to gravel vac with a mess on though.
Click to expand...

i didnt think mgamer made mistakes.....interesting


i would go for screen with aprox 1/4" holes/gaps in it..
 
What about rubber-banding some cheese cloth over the intake? :idea:
 
Hi Everyone,
Haven't ever lost a fish down the python, because I have pantyhose over the opening. Trouble is, it is harder to get all the muck off the sand.
As well as trying to avoid taking in all the sand.
How about trying to use the mesh netting, off a little scoop net??
The netting has larger holes than pantyhose, but is small enough to keep fish out, and still suction the tank.
My problem is that I have white silica sand as the substrata, with some tiny gravel sprinkled over the sand. The sand goes through pantyhose, so I have to keep the python above the sand,which makes things harder.

Anyway, maybe for you, the scoop net mesh will work, if you have gravel on the substrata.
Hope that helps and all the best!!! :)
 
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My goldfish (still young) are usually around "helping" but never went in until about a month ago one of them followed the food up. He decided this was a bad deal at the same time I saw him and he filped over and was out by the time I broke the suction. Now non are afraid of it but thankfully don't want to go it but they come up and bite my hand. It doesn't hurt but it's still shocking enough I jump a little. I have to keep shooing them away from me instread of the python.
 
Haha.. mine do that too. They're not bites, think of those as fishy kisses! They're thanking you for cleaning up the place. lmao.
 
What I do is put nylons over the end to drain the water. Then one the water is a little lower, I do what others have said and just jam it into the gravel, and try to move it around without getting higher than I need to. And always keep one hand on the shutoff valve! My danios always try to get in, too!
 
I have such weak suction even if they get into the tube they can usually swim out again. I've also had fish crash into the tube when vac'ing the "flyways"

I wonder if the larger plastic needlework canvas could be made to work as a cover. I tried finer mesh but not enough crap can get sucked up.

For shrimp I use a small vac then spend a long time recuing tiny & not so tiny shrimplets from the bucket. Eye strain galore!
 
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