Python vacuum

[njnauticalnut]

I have a python, well actually it is Top Fin's version of it, but it is exactly the same except it is blue instead of gree. I know that some of you use a python regularly. The other night when I went to do a water change on my new tank, I got out my generic python and as I haven't used in about a year, I had a hard time remembering how to work it and I do not have the directions. Would one of you who use a python regularly share the directions with me.

Also I have about 50 feet of tubing to get from when my tank is to the laundry room sink, is this too long to get any vacuuming suction?

Thanks!

 

[Puffer_freak]

Don't know, on ours, you have to keep the end below the water level though, so we just use like huge buckets, it works fine as long as you remember to put you finger over the end when you empty the bucket!

 

[luxum]

Attach the pump to a faucet. Attach the tubing to the pump. Run the tubing out to the tank and put the gravel vac end into the tank in some stable location. Go back to the faucet. Lower the valve at the bottom of the pump and turn on the water. The water should then run out the pump and down the drain and create suction. Go back to the tank and vacuum the gravel and such until you have removed as much water as you want to. Go back to the faucet and turn it off. At this point i take the tubing out of the tank and flush it with clean water into the sink by raising the valve of the pump so the water runs through the tubing. Then return the tubing to the tank again. Add dechlorinator. Turn the water on and refill the tank, then turn the water back off. Take the tubing back to the sink, put the pump back in the drain position and run the water in the tubing out the drain. Then you're done, stow the tubing and put it away.

Gee when i write it out like that it seems like so much trouble, but in reality it's very easy.

 

[njnauticalnut]

Luxum,

Thanks. I did have it set up correctly. I found it very easy to add the water, it was the vacuuming part that I had trouble with. When I pulled the valve at the faucet down and ran the water, water was running through to the drain, I got no suction, nothing happened. I have another valve close to the gravel vac end that can shut the running water off or on without going immediately back to the sink. I left that valve open when trying to suction. What we had to do was add some dechlorinator, then run water into the tank and then pull down the valve at the faucet. After many attempts of running water into the tank, pulling the valve down, it finally suctioned, but very slowly. I thought maybe it was because of the length of the tubing. How far is your sink away from your tank? If it is the length of the hose then I will try it at the kitchen sink as that is probaly about 30 feet vs 50.

 

[blakwidoe]

my tanks are bout 30 feet from my faucet I find if I turn Both water knobs on high I get the best suction

 

[luxum]

Yeh, the water pressure is really the deciding factor, and the length of the hose. I find that if the gravel vac is full of water in the tank and then water turned on high, i get the best suction. I have had problems getting suction when the tank was higher than the faucet. Using the kitchen sink may help.

 

[shrks1fan]

I've been planning on getting one of these, I have a question though. What type of faucet connection/s do they come with? Do they fit any faucet regardless of type? would it work attaching it to the yard hose faucet? I'm wondering because my main community tank is right next to the window with the outside hose right underneath, so the length of the python tube wouldn't need to be very long, however if I use the kitchen sink I would need the 50 foot tubing (which costs more and would be a hastle to run it all that way). I just don't want to buy the 50 foot version if I don't really need it.

Linda

 

[njnauticalnut]

Mine came with two different faucet options, one has a larger opening than the other. I am not sure if it would fit an outdoor faucet. You could probably pick up an adapter though. Wouldn't the water coming from outside be ice cold unless you have hot and cold? I don't think it would be a good idea to run it right into your tank especially in the winter. I notice a big difference in my cold water temps from summer to winter. I make sure my water is just about the same temp as the tank. I hate adding any hot water but with the large tank I have to. With my small tank I heat the cold water a bit to avoid any unnecessary hardness.

I did not buy the siphon with the 50 foot hose so it was less expensive. I got the tubing at my local hardware store, same stuff for much much less. Since you have to attach it anyway, I figured why spend the extra money.

Good luck.

 

[yhbae]

I have the 25ft version and the level of tank (bottom) is about the same as the level of the tap. I still don't get that great a suction from this setup although it is sufficient for me. I don't use any hot water though - cold water seem sufficient.

 

[shrks1fan]

Mine came with two different faucet options, one has a larger opening than the other. I am not sure if it would fit an outdoor faucet. You could probably pick up an adapter though. Wouldn't the water coming from outside be ice cold unless you have hot and cold? I don't think it would be a good idea to run it right into your tank especially in the winter. I notice a big difference in my cold water temps from summer to winter. I make sure my water is just about the same temp as the tank. I hate adding any hot water but with the large tank I have to. With my small tank I heat the cold water a bit to avoid any unnecessary hardness.

I did not buy the siphon with the 50 foot hose so it was less expensive. I got the tubing at my local hardware store, same stuff for much much less. Since you have to attach it anyway, I figured why spend the extra money.

Good luck.

Ack, Brain cramp...you're right, totally wasn't even thinking about the water temp thing.

Linda

 

[bgraber]

Was thinking about these things.. So it adds water straight fromt he tap to the tank right? How do you dechlorinate? Pumping that water in, Then dechlorinating works? I was always too afraid to nuke the fish with chlorine to try on of these..

 

[njnauticalnut]

Was thinking about these things.. So it adds water straight fromt he tap to the tank right? How do you dechlorinate? Pumping that water in, Then dechlorinating works? I was always too afraid to nuke the fish with chlorine to try on of these..

After I vacuum and remove water, I add dechlorinator to the tank then add the new water. Has prevented any nuking!

 

[karrihug]

i have a fifty foot hose so i can get to the tank upstairs without changing sinks(use the downstairs bathroom). i get the best suction from the upstairs tank. tank bottom of the ones downstairs are at sink level or slightly lower and i get less suction with them. i had a tank on a rug on the back patio which is one step down from the downstairs floor level to test it for leaks and i had to get out my old syphon to drain. i just simply couldn't get suction with the python. so it must still depend on the levels to some degree.