How do pythons work

[rdd1952]

I am thinking of getting a python to make water changes easier, especially with the new 75 gallon. I know how they work as far as filling the tank but how are they for draining/vacuuming? How do you get it to drain if the sink is as high as the tank or do you still have to use buckets for that. From looking at pictures, it looks like the same thing you use to fill a waterbed except python comes with the hose.

 

[GrullaQuarters]

I have a Python and love it. Would never have a tank without it. The water pressure helps drain it....you have the water in the sink on while you're draining/vaccuuming. So it really doesn't matter the height, I have a 25 foot hose, and don't need NEAR that, as the bathroom is just around the corner. and the hose all lays on the floor anyway.

 

[canarsie11]

I beleive that invention has got alot more people in the hobby, cause the buckets are not for me

 

[mitfull]

I need to buy myself one of these cleaned my tank yesterday while the wife was out, spent the rest of my sunday in tha bad books due to dropping a bucket of water on her new carpet ..

 

[SarahBravo]

You have the tap (faucett?) on full, and the pressure of this creates a vacuum - this vacuum then sucks the water out of your tank. A brilliant invention - only a problem if you're on a water meter. I couldn't survive without my python!

Sarah

 

[canarsie11]

That is true, if you pay for water, you may not like it, cause getting the pressure that sucks water out actually wastes alot of water,. However, if you can collect that it would be okay.

 

[rdd1952]

I am on city water, thus a water meter, so I guess I need to think on it for a while. From what I have read online, it sounds like you really need 2 people to start the process. One thing said to turn the water on to file the hose and start the water flow and then to switch it over so that is starts to vacuum. You would have to be at the faucet to do that but someone would also need someone to hold the hose in the tank (my sink is 30' from my tank). I may be missing something though.

 

[rdd1952]

Also, on refilling the tank, how do you regulate the temperature to make sure you aren't putting in water that is way off the normal temperature in the tank.

 

[canarsie11]

Well as far as 2 people to operate, that is false.

Beleive me my gf wants nothing to do with my tanks, so that is solo job all the way.

As far as temp, takes creativity, I purchased electronic thermometer, and i hold under stream of water, get my reading, lock off flow, take it to tank then open it up

 

[rdd1952]

So you get the water running in the sink first, then switch it to drain and then take the end to the tank to start vacuuming/draining??? Forgive me for having a hard time figuring this out but I pretty much do all maintanence by myself so I want to make sure it is something I can handle. The water meter may turn out to be the biggest problem though.

 

[Cavafish]

Ideally you need two people but it is not essential.

I have done a couple of water changes on my own and the only dodgy bit is when you turn the water round to refil the tank. It would be ideal if someone could hold the hose in the tank but I just put a couple of feet of (clean) hose inside the tank and then from turning the water on ran back to the tank to check it was ok. It was.
I have also flooded a new carpet but it was with the python and two people!! Communication error as to when to turn the water back on....

The water temp is going to be different (colder) when you refill - you normally should only be changing 20 - 25% so the drop is not too great overall. I sometimes add a kettle of boiling water at the same time as the cold (VERY carefully) so as to balance it out a bit more. Dechlorinator is added at the same time as water added in case you wondered.
It must be said pythons are great and being in the USA you should find they fit yours taps directly - us brits have to be inventive when it comes to this.

HTH

Cava

 

[Cavafish]

you will be able to handle it on your own (I'm assuming you have no impediments).

Your water meter may be a killer though. I have a 105 US gallon tank (400 litres) and it takes about 10-15 mins to suck enough water out for a 25% water change.

 

[SarahBravo]

The python has an on/off valve at the tank end - I always do water changes on my own. I position the hose in the tank switched to Off, then go into my kitchen and switch the tap on full to drain, then jog back into the living room and flick the switch, then vacuum the gravel and drain as normal. When I've taken enough water out I actually hold the hose out of the water for a minute so that the dirty water in the 50' of hose drains out. Then I flick the Off switch and jog back into the kitchen. You can't leave it switched to Off with the water on (either for draining or filling) for too long as pressure builds up, but it's fine for the time it takes to get from one room to another. I have my python connected to the mixer tap in my kitchen, so I get the temperature right, then set it to Fill, then jog back into the living room and flick the switch to On again. I then add declorinator in 2 or 3 doses, and also stick my fingers under the water flow every now and again. If it's too hot or cold, quick jog back to the kitchen and adjust. Also having a digital thermometer just under the flow is a good idea. Once they get the hang of it most people don't get much of a temperature variation.

I agree with everyone else - if I had to do buckets I wouldn't have as many (if any!!) tanks - gotta luv your python!!

Sarah

 

[GrullaQuarters]

I, too, have never had help doing a water change. I have no problems or complaints using it myself.

As far as water temperature, I bought one of those stick on thermometers. I actually have it on the hose of my Python. That way I can see about where the temp is......and know I'm putting way too cold or warm water in it.

As far as a water meter, I have never had to have one...I have had our own well water in all the places I've lived. Imagine that could be a downfall though, if you have to pay for your water!

 

[rdd1952]

I really like the idea and am convinced that doing it won't be a problem and is the easiest way to go. Now I've got to figure out if it will be too expensive because of the water cost. Do any of you have any problems with the trash going down your drain? I also seem to get a little sand too when I vacuum.