Python for 10g?

shaunakadub

shaunakadub

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Feb 2, 2006
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Would a Python cleaning system be to strong and big for a 10gallon tank?

Im looking through different ideas I could use to vacuum the gravel. I was thinking I should probably just save some money and go with a standard gravel vacuum, and do water changes by hand.

any suggestions?
 
Depends on if you have to carry water up/downstairs, if your tank is on carpeted floor, etc.

10g by comparison isn't as bad as anything above 30, but that's still 2 bucket loads you have to carry (dirty water, clean water).

You can get away with doing it by bucket for now, and maybe it'll help you gain appreciation for pythons. :) Lee's has a cheaper version, $20 for 25ft on big al's. I'm sure it works the same, but I've yet to compare both in person. I have one shipping to me as we speak, though.

One thing I didn't realize until I started using the python is that it takes just as much effort to do a 10% change as it does to do 50%. Nothing's easier than sitting on your butt while watching your tank fill.

It is because of the python that I am so seriously involved in the hobby now. It would've been too much work otherwise! To me, the python paid for itself within like two water changes.
 
I wouldn't bother with a python for a single ten gallon, but of course I'm still doing it the old-fashioned way and I have 5 tanks running from 10-40 gallons. Water changes on my ten gallons are a breeze IMO. It all depends on how much work you are willing to do.
 
Having a Python for water changes on a 10 gallon may be overkill, but it all really depends on whether PWCs with the bucket method is keeping you from doing regular maintenance. :) It definitely is not too powerful to use on a 10 gallon though.

I use one for maintenance on a 10 gallon and a 20 gallon. Takes about a half hour to do a 50% PWC on both tanks. If I were hauling buckets, I'd be dreading the work, but with a Python it's a breeze.
 
Did a lot of research on the Python and it seems like a great product, but I decided to man-up and just get a regular vacuum for $4.00 and do it by hand =p


Thanks for all of the replies!
 
shaunakadub said:
........ man-up .....
Click to expand...
HAHA!!! I love this term! I use it often and now its rubbing off on my friends and coworkers. "Can't finish you BEER?!? WTF man-up dude!!!"
Really carrying that bucket isnt so hard for a 10 gallon, I dont even mind it with my 55g. I just skip my pushups on waterchange days :cool:
 
Bah! I hate lifting buckets. Won't do it. Nope.

Only thing I use them for is rinsing filter media and filter parts. For anything under 10g, and for anything over that that I'm doing a thorough gravel cleaning on or I have small fish, I use a Python AND a bucket :)

For a 10g or lower, I manually syphon into a bucket, and then Python the water out of the bucket :) I use the Python to fill the tank if it's a 10g, otherwise I use a large pitcher.

For my big tanks, I Python the water out to about 40%, then do a clean to 50% with the syphon. I Python the water out of the bucket when I'm done and fill with the Python.

Using a bucket *with* the Python gives me old tank water to clean the media and stuff in. It's also a good insurance in case I suck up a fish with the manual syphon.

If I have small fish and am only using the Python for a direct water change, I cover the end with netting and elastic so I don't suck any fish up. On a 75g tank that means I can set it on a rock and go read some messages here while my tank is emptying :)

Roan
 
This sounds really stupid...but how do you manually siphon water into a bucket? Do you somehow use the python? I'm not sure how that works. If I had fry I'd want to do this too.......
 
hurricanejedi said:
This sounds really stupid...but how do you manually siphon water into a bucket? Do you somehow use the python? I'm not sure how that works. If I had fry I'd want to do this too.......
Click to expand...

You use a regular gravel vacuum. :)

Sometimes I use a regular gravel vac into a bucket to have tank water to rinse media with (and then water my plants), and sometimes I just use a bucket of treated water to rinse. Then I fill with the python. There are times, though, where I need to haul buckets...like when adding salt to treat for illness.

Also, when I have fry in the tank, I definitely use the manual method. :)
 
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