Need Help On How To Do Easier Water Changes, "python" Etc

[SM8]

Hi i need some help with water changes for my new tank, normally in the past i have been fine but unfortunately due to the setup and location of the new tank water changes are a little harder.

I can no longer run back and forth with buckets through the house at the risk of getting anything dirty or any spillages etc and its just generally a lot harder so want to minimalise the cleaning process as much as possible and just get it down to a bucket refill as opposed to all the rest.




I have been looking online for an easier way and so far fhave seen devices such as the "python" which i haven't seen in person but from what i read they fit onto your sink and somehow suck water out of the tank and straight into the sink....and then to refill you can refill from the tap into wherever you like.

Obviously when i refill i would refill into a bucket first so i can add the dechlorine drops and anything else i need / monitoring temps.


Does anyone use these or have any knowledge about them, and also how would i go about cleaning the tank properly with a sand substrate as in the past i have always kept gravel but i have changed to sand for my new tank as i have started keeping a lot of catfish and plec etc and sand is best for them. The last thing i want to be doing is sucking all the sand up as well but there must be a way of keeping the sand in whilst giving an in depth clean when doing the water changes.



any advice would be great as i need to get this tank up and running soon and its just this bit that is putting me off as ill be having to maintain it properly ill need an easy way that i can follow through with and not dread every time i have to do the water changes.

 

[khial]

Hi,

I personally just use a garden hose, its cheap and i can run it out into my garden drain, so nasty stuff in with the dishes. if im struggling to get the siphon going just attach a 2 in one foot pump on end and there we go, and as for the sand just tie a bit of ladies tights or similar over the end of the hose

this is the budget way of course

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I have sand, and use a hose to empty the tank and do water changes, but the pythons were too expensive, so I use a DIY method - no tools needed, and it cost about 1/4 or less of a python... SUPER EASY!


First, the "python" parts:

Hose (sufficiently long to reach your tank from your sink, with plenty of spare length)
Sink faucet adapter (to be able to attach your hose directly to your faucet)

That's it for parts! This should cost no more than $20.



Now for how to use it:

Step one: remove the aerator from the faucet
Step two: put he adapter in place on the faucet
Step three: Connect the hose to the faucet
Step four: unravel the hose and place the other end into the tank, UNDER the water. (Clamping it to the glass it a nice and easy way to ensure it doesn't end up on the floor.)
Step five: turn the water on at the faucet - VERY SLOWLY.

Step six: go to the tank and watch the hose... when the air bubbles stop, the water is flowing into the tank. (This is to create a siphon.)
Step seven: Turn off the water.
Step eight: Disconnect the hose from the faucet - there will be minor dripping as you disconnect, and voila siphon.
Step nine: Return to tank and vacuum as needed.
Step ten: pull hose out of tank when you have removed all the water you want.
Step eleven: Reconnect the hose to the faucet.
Step twelve: Add dechlorinator directly to the TANK for the full volume of the tank.
Step thirteen: Turn the water on slowly, I use the mixer tap for my tank, with no ill effects... but many, I leave the water entering the tank be cooler than the rest, and leave the heater to bring the temp back up... Its like a cool rain in the wild.

Step fourteen: turn off the water, remove the hose end from the tank, and place in bucket to empty. Disconnect the hose from the faucet. Then, roll the hose up, keeping it higher than the bucket and let gravity do the work.



As far as vacuuming with sand... Its really easy. Just swirl the hose end above the sand (about an inch or so) and the lighter stuff will get sucked up. No need to do a "deep" cleaning, as the detritus will just sit on the surface. You can mix the sand up a bit afterwards.

 

[SM8]

Thats great! Luckily i can source a python for not a lot so think ill go for it

I also have an outside tap if the python will fit onto that otherwise i can simply use the sink that isn't used for dishes if tap fitment is an issue

As long as you can add the chlorine drops into the tank safely as i thought you should only add it to the water that goes back in.

Also im glad you can use it with sand as dirty sand annoys me especially with it being white i dont think was the best idea maybe ill change the sand ccolour so dirt isn't as obvious

I think i was just won by seeing pics online with super clean white sand but in reality it gets dirty fast especially with bogwood!


Many thanks for your help and any further advice or help is welcome!

 

[Mikey1]

just buy a python, its the best money you will ever spend....i have been using one for over 15 years and would never even think about doing water changes without it....it will last you a lifetime....its cheap if you think about how much use you get out of it over many years, i think i paid 50 bucks or something, 50 bucks for 15+ years of service is cheap

 

[maurizio]

This stuff looks great. Can't find a retailer in Europe, any idea?

 

[khial]

This stuff looks great. Can't find a retailer in Europe, any idea?

ive tried searching aswell, theres a couple on ebay for about £50

 

[phantomlink]

I was looking around for a good DIY python but the stores here in my area dont sell the parts I needed, so I went ahead and bought a Python when I went from a 30 gallon to a 125 gallon. I spent extra and got the 50 foot because I had no idea the distance from the kitchen to my living room wall in my apartment. The thing is magic and the only issue I had was after about 3 weeks or so, the pump you attach to your sink got cracked, I guess I twisted it too hard so I had to order a new one. I found a supply site that sells the pieces for half of what you pay in the store, so now I've got 4 extra pumps in my maintenance drawer for if it ever happens again

 

[SM8]

Definitely going for one after reading all the above!

 

[CezzaXV]

I made my own. If you have a look at the link in my signature I made a tutorial and everything.

 

[Royston]

I just use a garden hose attached to my kitchen tap... Put hose in tank, Turn it on let water in to tank then turn off and disconnect from tap and let it siphon. To refill get temp right then attach hose and refill while dosseing whole tank with dechlorinater.. Job done

 

[SM8]

Just had a look and i can get a brand new jbl aqua in out instead of waiting for the python to be delivered

It looks exactly the same and unless anyone can tell me the python will be better i think ill buy the jbl one

 

[fluttermoth]

I just use a garden hose attached to my kitchen tap... Put hose in tank, Turn it on let water in to tank then turn off and disconnect from tap and let it siphon. To refill get temp right then attach hose and refill while dosseing whole tank with dechlorinater.. Job done

)

Same here, cheap and easy

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Agreed... I have better things to spend my money on, and it will last as long as the python, maybe longer.

 

[khial]

and if your worried about the hosepipe containing bacteria, desease etc you could just get the clear rubber hoses sold at most diy stores