umm, whats a python??

[silvershark]

ok i keep reading posts where people mention their python vac, what is it cos it seems to be very popular??

is there an online supplier and what makes them so good?

 

[Katchan]

Its a hose/vac the connects to a tap it syphens then you flick a switch (or something) and you then fill your tank again, hey presto no more buckets

see this link (down towards the bottom) for DIY instructions

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=88589

Hope this helps

Katchan

 

[guppygirl]

link here.

 

[andyj]

http/www.aquaticmailorder.co.uk/acatalog/index.html

UK supplier

Just got my 25' one through

 

[guppygirl]

I wouldn't be without mine!!

 

[smithrc]

great bit of kit - if you have big / many tanks then one of these is a must

 

[smb7676]

Its a hose/vac the connects to a tap it syphens then you flick a switch (or something) and you then fill your tank again, hey presto no more buckets

How do you decholr and check temp and ph if it comes right from the tap???

 

[Dorkhedeos]

unless you have weird water, you shouldnt need to check ph. the end is like a sideways T. you turn a valve to make it go the other way.

 

[smb7676]

unless you have weird water, you shouldnt need to check ph. the end is like a sideways T. you turn a valve to make it go the other way.

As far as ph goes I have a 10 that has rams in it and before I add water I match the ph to my tank. But the main tank it isn't a prob but what about declor. the water still comes from tap right?

 

[guppygirl]

For my 30, I empty the water with the python and adjust the water in a bucket filled by the python with bicarb. Much easier than lugging a bucket tho! Dechlor can be added (as they say) by dripping it into the stream of water... the turbulance in the tube will aerate it out. I wouldn't know though, I have well water.

 

[smithrc]

we add declor to an area of the tank and add the water in this area.

if you prefer - turn the filters of while refilling so limit the risk of getting clorinated water through your filter

 

[guppygirl]

Hmm, I never thought of that! Good idea, smithrc.

 

[AncientMariner]

How does it suck the water out of the tank?

How quick does it do it per the gallon? (Approx)

Thinking of getting one, so would appreciate any advice.

Cheers..

 

[Cavafish]

mine takes about 15 minutes to empty a good quarter of the water out of my 400 litre tank. Will depend a little bit on your water pressure I guess.

I got mine and found that the connections are for american 'faucets' rather than british 'taps'. Had to adapt it with a garden hose fitting. cant remember exactly how now but mine now fits straight onto the outside tap via a 'hozelock' style of fitting.

basic operation:

fit to tap and set to syphon. water from tap will pour straight through the fitting and down the drain!!! Not good if you have a large tank and/or a water meter (or are an enviromentalist)

suction is created by the water rushing through the fitting and you can now syphon your gravel.

When gravel is clean/enough water is removed, turn valve around to the fill setting. Cold tap water is then sent up the pipe into the tank.

Add dechlorinator as the water enters the tank.

Job done.

I also add a kettle or two of boiled water slowly as I am refilling to avoid a really big temp drop. obvoiusly this is not added near any fish and is distributed into the cold stream of water coming in.
I also do not have the filter on (my water level is too low anyway) and I add the cold untreated water at the far end to the filter to avoid getting excess amounts in the filter.

if you've got a large tank - get one. Get a long one too - better to overestimate.

HTH

cava