Python Questions

[pl*co]

Hi all. I've been reading the Python posts on and off and I must say that I've been tempted to buy one. There are a couple of things stopping me and I wonder if anyone else has had the same issues or has been hesitant for the same or similar reasons.

1. It seems the fish are not harmed by not having the water conditioned (right out of the faucet) prior to replacing what was removed from the tank. Conditioning immediately after the fact (and assuming the temperature is within range) is sufficient. Is this true? I do not have room to store previously conditioned water and the Ph of the water straight from the tap is quite a bit higher than that in my tank. In addition, the level of chlorine can be quite high.

2. I have been concerned about sucking up a snail, a younger, smaller fish or my ghost shrimp. As it is, with a manual siphon hose, I can stop, easily remove the unfortunate victim and go on. I would guess that all but the smallest pond snail would be saved by the strainer in the sink drain, but might risk injury as a result of the entire ordeal. Anybody else worry about this? Has anything similar happened and if so, were you able to easily resolve the problem? Any injuries to fish, inverts, snails?

3. How do you remove mildew build up (if any) in the hose?

Thanks from a reluctant, worried, potential Python owner.

 

[Blinky]

Hi there. I ADORE my Python, it makes my life so much easier. That said...
1. I've never had a problem. Where I live the water treatment plant adds masses of chlorine to the water supply in the summer, and adding dechlorinator to the tank just before I start refilling with the Python seems to do the trick nicely - none of the fish have ever looked stressed or started gasping during/after a water change.

2. Little critters... my Python catches small bits of rock, plant leaves, etc. somewhere along the line - they don't make it to the sink. When I reverse the flow, these bits are the first thing to exit the hose. Accidentally sucking up a tiny snail or fry is the only thing I worry about with my Python, but as long as you're careful and have the suction low you should be okay.

3. I do get buildup of... something... looks like little brown algae spots. I tend to do the water change, then when I go back to the sink I fill a bucket with hot water, add some bleach, and suction the bleach/water through the hose. Then I reverse the flow, allow tap water to rinse out the hose (I just run it down the drain) and after a couple minutes I reverse the flow one more time to empty the hose, roll it up, and put it away.

 

[pl*co]

Thanks Blinky. Sounds like it'll be just fine. 'specially the little critter concern. I had not considered that it is possible to reverse the flow right away to pop 'em back in the tank. That's a relief. Your cleaning solution definately sounds do-able and adding the chems to the tank first (or during for that matter) sounds good also. Whew! That does it... gonna go get a Python. I was reading a bit on the Python site and it talks about how much less stress it is on the fish (and me too!). Thanks again.

 

[christopher1260]

Just for your info... You can get a waterbed fill kit from Walmart for about $5. All you need then is to get some clear vinyl hose. This is what I did and it was CHEAP. Just a suggestion...

 

[pl*co]

Thanks. Wondered about that...'specially since I have one in the closet. Problem is, it does not have a shut off valve, which I really like. Anyway....
I couldn't find the Python model at the store, but they had a Lee version. It comes with a permanent attachment that keeps the little critters out. That'll be ok for the little tank, but for the bigger tank, I used the end from my old siphon hose. Gotta tell ya, it made things a whole lot easier. Clean it out... fill it up. No more water on the carpet from missing the bucket or overflowing the bucket. No more walking back and forth ... back and forth... yea!