has anyone used a python?

[Cavafish]

Hi

As the topic suggests I am after reviews from any one who has used one of these "No Spill" Python water-changer things IN THE UK as I am seriously considering investing in one. The trouble is they are not cheap (£30 for a 25 foot), so I would like to hear whether they really are as "too good to be true" as they sound.

The things I know so far are: (correct me if I'm wrong pls )

1.) You are wasting good tap water all the time you are syphoning water out of the aquarium so you use a lot of water

2.) You are adding cold, untreated water back into the tank when you refill

3.) you end up with lots of redundant buckets


Any replies recieved with thanks

Cava


Edit: Many thanks to SarahBravo who put me onto these in the first place.

 

[parker313]

1.) You are wasting good tap water all the time you are syphoning water out of the aquarium so you use a lot of water

2.) You are adding cold, untreated water back into the tank when you refill

3.) you end up with lots of redundant buckets

Yes, you do waste water as you're emptying the tank..... But, the water siphons out pretty quickly so it's not too bad.

You don't have to add cold, untreated water. Use the hot and cold knobs to get the right temperature water. Then, add the dechlorinator into the stream of water as it comes from your python. Dechlorinator works instantly so as soon as the first dose hits the water, you're fine. Even if you do add in colder water, that can trigger spawning in some species, like cory cats

Well, I only had one fishwater bucket, so I only had one redundant bucket

I have a 46g and a 10g and I am SO GLAD that I got a python. It was seriously worth every penny. Not having to schlep buckets around, sloshing water all over the place has been so nice

 

[kev]

Very handy topic - Where are these pytons available ? Also in the UK??

 

[enchanted]

For filling you can add most dechlorinators directly to the water prior to using the Python to fill. I picked up a used one, and for filling it is great, but I need to redo all the seals in it. It doesn't have the suction for emptieing the tanks. Which is ok for now, since my tanks are right near a window and I can empty them out the window with my gravel vacuum.

parker313 was right in that you set the temperature at your kitchen sink prior to filling the tank. I did a 30% water change on my 55Gs last night and only fluctuated the temp by .75 Degrees.

 

[luxum]

1.) You are wasting good tap water all the time you are syphoning water out of the aquarium so you use a lot of water

2.) You are adding cold, untreated water back into the tank when you refill

3.) you end up with lots of redundant buckets
in the first place.

1. Tapwater is wasted, yes, but in the grand scheme of things it's not much. The convience is worth it imo.

2. Adjust the water temp before adding the water. This isn't something i usually think about since my "cold" water is usually around 80º. But it's easy to adjust at the tap before you fill.

3. You'll find uses for those buckets! They are still handy for many other aquarium tasks (such as rinsing filter media, etc), you just won't have to strain your back walking back and forth with them.

Bottomline - the python makes me a better fish keeper, because it makes water changes very easy to perform, which means i don't procrastinate on them (translate = miss them) the way i used to when i had to walk buckets.

 

[SarahBravo]

I just got a python from Animal House. It's GREAT!!!! I connect it to the mixer tap in my kitchen so I can put water back in at the right temperature. I add declorinator at the start and then a couple of times through the flow. It does use a lot of water but I just think of it going back into the system - I'm sure it gets filtered a few times and then ends up right back in our taps. You do have to have the cold tap on full at the start when you're syphoning out, but you can turn it down a little once the 'suck' is created.

All I would say is check your kitchen tap BEFORE you buy the python. Unless you're me of course, in which case you buy the python and then find that yours is the only kitchen tap in the UK without a thread in it, so you buy a new tap for £70 then open the box and go omg, then get a plumber in for another £50. Ended up being a very expensive python.....

Sarah

 

[Cavafish]

I have water treatment on all the water that goes through my boiler so I wont use the hot tap just in case.

Thanks tho.

ANy others? i need to know how it fixes to our taps

 

[SarahBravo]

Cava, apologies for being so senile I forgot I'd already told you about my python!

Here are some pics of the connectors (mine is a little loose, but that apparently is because my tap is not british standard):

Tap must have thread (you may have to unscrew a diffuser)

The all important connector

Connector fitted on tap - because mine is a little loose I put lots of plumbers tape around it and leave it on

the python neatly held together with a 'Python Pouch' wooohooo

The actual pump bit

which fits onto the connector, and the hose of the python just screws onto this (I've learnt it's actually easier if you leave the hose connected, otherwise it gets twisted when you try to screw it on)

The little bit at the bottom with the screw in it just pushes up for 'fill' and twists down for 'empty'. Really easy to use. My only concern is the thread on the connector giving out/getting cross threaded because it's plastic. I'm going to ring Animal House tomorrow and see if they sell spares. I'll let you know. I'd be interested to know if anyone else in the UK has any problems with the connector or if it's just the tap I bought.

Hope this helps.

 

[smithrc]

hi folks - we bought one a few weeks back - Definatly worth it!!!

Saves loads of time and effort!

our taps in our house do not have screw fittings (not even hidden - they dont have them) so we use one of those tap clamps and screw the valve to that.

as for temperature - we dont have mixer taps - so cold is the best option.

i sat and worker out what the temp would end up at using mains water (it was at 20ºc on the day we worked it out) and the tank temp would only lower by a couple of degrees (this depends on volume of water changed and the difference in water temps) but it was fine.

we put pleanty of de chlorinator in the tank and fill it up. try to fill from the opposite ond to the filter - just incase.

we bought a 25ft and have made it longer with a length of normal garden hose - cheap upgrade!

we got ours from Animal House too (along with an air line clam to push it over the £30 free P&P limit - they did take their time though

 

[lucky62]

I got my python in 1990 , and don't think I'd keep fish tyoday [ not a big tank anyway ]if I didn't have it .

Before 1990 , it was buckets and pots . I spilled water all over the place .

You can always siphon the water out with the python into a container of somekind and use it for plants inside and outside , or to water parts of the lawn if waisting water bothers you , then fill with the python after adding water conditioner and adjusting the temp[ if you only have cold water do small changes and fill it back up slowly .

If you can find a place that sells waterbeds ask if they sell the valve to connect to a faucet to drain and fill the beds , I saw one after I bought my python , aside from the color they were the same thing . With this valve you may be able with a hose be able to make your own.[ sarahbravos #5 and#6 pics]

I set mine up with quick disconnect couplings .

It saves soooooo much time .

 

[smithrc]

"ask if they sell the valve to connect to a faucet to drain and fill the beds"

I tried that till i was blue in the face - it appeares that here in the UK - people arn't meant to fill and drain their waterbeds

Then again compared to the US waterbeds are in the same ball park as swimming pools over here... they are not very common.

 

[DogFish]

When I bought my python, the white plastic connector part had been changed to brass. I guess python was getting complaints about the plastic failing over time. So you are screwing a brass gizmo to the tap, much better.
I only have little tanks but I still love the python for filling. So much easier than lugging buckets.
I usually empty the tanks into buckets though, and use it to water my houseplants. Healthiest they have ever been-fishpoopy water is a great fertilizer.

 

[lucky62]

"ask if they sell the valve to connect to a faucet to drain and fill the beds"

I tried that till i was blue in the face - it appeares that here in the UK - people arn't meant to fill and drain their waterbeds

Then again compared to the US waterbeds are in the same ball park as swimming pools over here... they are not very common.

, sorry you had that problem , it was only a suggestion .

Maybe online ?

 

[Cavafish]

This is GREAT!!

Thanks for all the responses - SarahBravo: you have excelled with those photos

Its reasuring to see that a couple of people have bought from Animal House, I might try that. I'm going to measure up and see if I can get away witha 25 footer. Does the hanging pouch thing come with it??

I had also heard somewhere about the plastic connector bit failing after a time and metal substitutions being made by Python. Does anyone know if they are available as a spare??

Lucky62 - it is really reasuring that yours has performed so well for so long. I hate buying things that do not last.

Off to see if I can unscrew the plastic nozzly bit in the end of my tap now....

 

[Earthgirl]

My mother in law has one and lent it too me once. I only do the bucket burgade when needed to so little bits. I love that thing, makes life so easy. We also used it this summer to fill my son's little pool, drained the tank, but it was worth it!
I love it!
Yes it does waste water (as previously noted) but worth the water bill. That, wasting of water, not the bill I don't look at those for a reason, is the only thing I don't like, but the convience.....