Python gravel vac kits?

Stara'lfur

Stara'lfur

AC Members
May 19, 2008
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Southern Cali
Now that I'm getting a 50 gallon aquarium I had a couple people suggest a Python cleaning system. Does anyone use this? I'm not sure if I understand exactly how it works - it uses the sink pressure to start up the suction, and it drains directly into your sink? And then is it used for replacing the water directly from the faucet - in which case, the water would not be aged nor declorinated, isn't this a problem, like for gas bubble disease?

I would love to make water changes easier, but I'm a tad confused. halp!

edit: also, what about water temperature?
 
Yes I use one. It attaches to your sink and has two "positions". In the lowered (or "open") position the water flows through it and creates a suction. This is the drain setting during which you gravel vac. The other position ("Up" or "closed") is the fill position. You match temp as closely as possible. Most people can tell water temp within a few degrees so you don't need to be exact. I dose Prime for the tank capacity as I fill. i.e. 50G, 1 250ML capful. (Follow the directions). Others dose before adding.
 
Actually if anyone reads the package, it contains an aerator that removes most of the hard metals and chlorine. I am obsessed with mine. It makes water changes fun.
 
Agent_Scully said:
Actually if anyone reads the package, it contains an aerator that removes most of the hard metals and chlorine. I am obsessed with mine. It makes water changes fun.
Click to expand...

I believe no claims on the package. If I did, I'd be adding 3 dozen different chemicals and compounds to my tanks. There's no way an aerator can remove heavy metals. I wouldn't go quite far so far as to say they're fun.... Water changes on 15 tanks is work. The Python just makes them more efficient. lol
 
And an aerator will not remove chloramine, which is the principle additive used here in the US.

I usually just drain to the outside or nearest bathtub vice wasting water at the sink to get water out of the tank.
 
rbishop said:
I usually just drain to the outside or nearest bathtub vice wasting water at the sink to get water out of the tank.
Click to expand...

That's what I've been doing too. Just use it as a regular 'ol siphon to vacuum the substrate and get the water out, then hook it up to the tap to fill the tank back up.

Overall I have to say that I absolutely despise the Python but view it as a necessary evil, as doing water changes with a bucket on my 150 would become overwhelming very quickly.

I have had to change the tap in my kitchen in order to use it with the Python universal adapter after ending up getting sprayed in the face twice with the old tap when the adapter came off. Then just this past week one of the hose connectors came apart when I was trying to fill up one of the tanks, which resulted in water everywhere.
 
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