How do pythons work

[SarahBravo]

I always seem to spill half a bucket of gravel down my sink when I'm rinsing it - never had any problems so far, certainly not with the sand/plant debris from the python. Never had the python block up on me either, even when I sucked up half a tankful of java moss by mistake!

Sarah

 

[steelhealr]

Hi...I disagree with the you need two people thing. I have had my python for 5 months and it is a breeze to handle once you get the knack. As already posted, it functions almost like an airfoil. Running water past the attachment causes a negative vacuum that sucks the water out of the tank. After you stop your vacuuming, you stop the water, add conditioner, do whatever tank work/cleaning you need to do. Then, run the water 'till it gets to the temp you want. This is where it takes a little practice but NOT A WHOLE LOT. Test your aquarium water with your finger, then adjust your tap to the same sensation. You then place your hose valve on CLOSED, push up the sink 'switch' attached to the sink, walk over to the tank and then open the valve. While you are running the water, test aquarium temp and the python temp. If they are close, don't worry, fish are durable and will tolerate a 1 or 2 degree temp change. If not close, close the valve and walk back to the sink, adjust, and repeat. I will admit tho', that the sink pressure can build up quickly when valves are closed so you must adjust quickly. With this method, my thermometer never varied more than 1/2 to 1 degree. With a 46 gallon tank, and a 25% water change, you really have to be off a LOT to made a temp change that would threaten your fish. Hope this helps. SH

 

[Corruptor]

I've started using a spring clamp and a couple of zip ties to keep the hose / tube secured in the tank. After I had the hose connection come apart due to pressure (I had the valve near the tube closed when I switched it from vacuum to fill), I started seeking alternate methods. In addition to the clamp, you can use a couple of those suction cup clips to position the filler hose inside the tank (so you don't blow all of the gravel off of the bottom while you are not there).

When the tank gets full, I shut off the fill process at the sink. With the faucet valve closed, it won't siphon the water back out. I then go to the tank, close the valve near the tube, and take the whole setup back to the sink where I dump out the water that's still in the hose.

 

[Cavafish]

Ok. Heres another version of events.

I do not use the shut tap near the end of the pipe either - it has blown apart on me as well leaving a very panicked grab at the hose to get the new 'end' from off of the floor and in the tank. Not good for the carpet, or the peace. As Corruptor says, just secure the end or place it in the tank so as you're confident it wont fall out when the water comes through.

When I have enough water in the tank I just resecure the end, go back to the tap and turn it off. Back at the tank, take the end out of the water and empty the last couple of feet of tube of water. I then place the tube end on the floor with the end in the air (my tube is never straight cos I coil it up to store it). Back at the tap put the python in 'suck' mode and it will empty the tube for you!

 

[Cavafish]

I do not mix my water to the correct temperature before returning it to the tank - the fishes get a cold shower from me!

The reason: I have a treatment gadget attached to the cold water pipe supplying my boiler so as to stop the boiler furring up with scale. As I have never had a definate "its safe" from anyone I trust I will not risk putting this treated water in the tank. As I said in an earlier post, the temp only drops a couple of degrees when doing a 25% change on a tank slightly bigger than yours.

GET ONE!!