How do you keep fish out of the Python?

abcdefghi

abcdefghi

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Jun 6, 2007
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I used to have no problems doing my water changes, if i wanted I could leave the python in there and let the water drain while cleaning the filter etc. Then I got black neon's, they decided that the items being sucked up the python MUST be food and so attempted to get into the python, almost sucked one up, but managed to pull the vac out of the water before he went for a ride.

A few more water changes, and a few swishes of the python towards them and they now avoid it.

About 2 weeks ago I picked up a pair of GBR's, not sure if I have some freak GBR's or something, but they are fearless (they have also settled in far far quicker than I thought they would and are right in the mix at feeding time). While I am trying to vac the tank, they will literally be on their side at the bottom of the vac tube attempting to get inside at the crap I am taking out of the tank. When I lift the tube I have to be real careful that one of them does not get in there. I have tried the swishing tactic and it had no effect, so far they have only experienced 2 water changes, but are getting braver, on the second water change they decided my fingers must be some kind of food and tried a bite. These things are brave, I am sure I have seen them attempt to chase my angel who is at about 6-7" tall a considerable amount larger than the approximately 1.5" rams.

Is there anything I can do? I thought about putting some kind of mesh over the end, but then any of the larger pieces will not get through. I realize 95% of stuff would still get in there, but not everything. Is there anything I can do? or just have to be vigilant and watch them.
 
the same thing happened to me today with a guppy, I think the only thing you can do is watch out for them. maybe if they fear something like a net swish that around by the python when your doing a water change.
 
in my 90g i do my vacing if need to then when i just need to drain water i shove it in the gravel and put the lid down on the hose to hold it there to drain and the gravel keeps out the fish, mine all love to catch the snails and gunk the comes up it drives them crazy,....lol after a while i come back and refill,..
 
OMG, this is a funny thread. And I'm really sorry, I know it's a serious question - it just made me laugh. I've had the same problem and it only got worse once I added loaches... wow, they just love that suction tube.

Even swatting the fish away doesn't always help. Half the time they just turn around and come right back again.

I think I'm lucky with my setup now, though. I'm using a heavy grain sand that doesn't go up the tube. When the fish get too close, I can shove the open end down into the sand while I shoo them away. I can also scoot the tube sideways, just under the surface when I need to. Couldn't do that so easily with gravel.

The only other option we have (aside from using a net, pantyhose, or media bag over the end) is to always keep your thumb on that shut off valve. I suck up snails all the time. LOL. I'll notice one floating up the tube, shut off the flow, wait for him float back down again, deposit him back onto the sand, then move along to the next section. That must be like a carnival ride for them. :)
 
Make it unanimous. My problem is the guppies! They are constantly swimming up into it to check things out so I continually start and stop. So I added an on/off switch. I see them go in I turn it off and they swim out. I open it back up and they come right back into it. What a pain! The RCS won't move out of the way of it so I finally started putting some floss in it to catch everything. Sometimes I wish the RCS a Bon Voyage since they want to help curb the population explosion. On the other hand, my oscars try to bite it or my hand! I can't win!!!
 
My demasoni got sucked into the garden hose I was using to siphon out the water, i thought he was too big but then I look up and just his tail is sticking out. He made it and is still fine to this day. Now when i clean the tank I put a mesh bag over the intake then remove it and vacuum a bit then replace it when I'm done/
 
About 15 years ago, I was doing a regular cleanup on my tank and got distracted. As I looked away, a large fish swam straight into the tube. This one didn't make it and got badly torn up from the suction. Of course, it was still alive too so I had to destroy it. It was pretty gory and has to be the most disturbing thing that's ever happened to me relating to fish. Such a beautiful fish came to a terrible end like that just because I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing. I never forget that and I make sure I don't cause that to ever happen again.
 
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