Water changers

[Jerry Sem]

I playing with the idea of getting a water changer. I've seen several listed on Amazon, all with great ratings. What is your opinion on a decent one. A recomendation. It will sure beat the 5gal buckets method. Oh and my tank is a 60gal/ planted. thanx Jerry

 

[Rocky998]

Everyone always loves the python. I plan to get one if I upgrade my tank

 

[Fishmanic]

I’ve been using the Python for 9 years now. The only thing I had to replace was the shutoff valve on the hose. I replaced with a high quality brass valve.

 

[Deleted member 149562]

Well I guess I am just cackhanded cos I hate the python (and all variants of the python on the market). Sorry but not everyone has good eye to hand co-ordination and I am one of those who doesn't.

Tried it...persevered with it but it is now languishing in the cupboard amongst all those other "must have" items that never worked out for me

So my 29 gallon and 53 gallon have good old fashioned jug and bucket water removals on water change day.

I am a firm believer of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" methodology.

 

[jaylach]

I had to look one up to see what was meant. Not really worth it for my 20 gallon cube but a nice idea for a larger tank. Reminds me of a fill/drain line for a water bed. Plus I live in a third floor apartment so would not have easy access to a garden hose connection. Still I'm sure that such an item could be adapted to a sink faucet.

 

[Fishmanic]

Well I guess I am just cackhanded cos I hate the python (and all variants of the python on the market). Sorry but not everyone has good eye to hand co-ordination and I am one of those who doesn't.

Tried it...persevered with it but it is now languishing in the cupboard amongst all those other "must have" items that never worked out for me

So my 29 gallon and 53 gallon have good old fashioned jug and bucket water removals on water change day.

I am a firm believer of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" methodology.

That’s all well and good. Exercise never hurts anyone until you have back troubles or other ailment that makes the bucket brigade impossible.
I’ll keep using my Python. It’s faster, easier and less stressful on my body.

How do you do a substrate cleaning/vacuuming?

 

[Deleted member 149562]

That’s all well and good. Exercise never hurts anyone until you have back troubles or other ailment that makes the bucket brigade impossible.
I’ll keep using my Python. It’s faster, easier and less stressful on my body.

How do you do a substrate cleaning/vacuuming?

I have medical issues that I deal with every day (Ankylosing Spondylitis, stage 4 CKD, COPD, osteoarthritis in hands and other areas and unspoken of medical stuff like that - I am not overly keen on discussing things like this or, infact seeing it posted but since you asked.... )

I have strong narcotic painkillers that when I do my water changes and general human housework, I take beforehand to ease the discomfort. Having lived with such disabilities for well over 30 years now it is basically a case of adapting one's lifestyle according to what one can manage on any given day. If I am not feeling up to doing a water change, then it is delayed for a day.

I am not very dexterous so pythons etc are a pain to use...both literally and figuratively

Substrates are cleaned with a baster or (as is more commonplace, I double can the Turbo and that keeps the substrate clean and tidy - granted that usually means it goes into full on fart mode every 24 hours and needs its grills cleaning but its certainly easier to do that than try to use a python type contraption)

 

[Slaphppy7]

Python for me, as well....I won't do WC's without one

 

[Uberhoust]

I like a Python, or other siphon method, to remove the water, but I use a typical 5/8" hose with a plastic, so it doesn't damage the glass, sprayer to put the water in the tank. My tank water pH, GH, and KH all are the same as my tap water making the job easier. At the sink I use a Y valve, initially I shut off the water and use the other outlet to adjust the temp. Then I close the temperature valve and open the one to the tank, this makes it so that I don't have to wait for the water to run the length of the hose before I measure it. The sprayer allows me to turn off and on the water at the tank if need be. I do not trust the Python at city water pressure it expands the hoses too much for my liking.

 

[GaryE]

I don't think you'll find any water change system worth anything, other than either a python or a siphon and bucket. I've never had a spill with my python, however, I have managed to kick over a bucket. I've also managed to overflow a bucket.
I now empty tanks with a siphon into a pool filter hose, which fits into a drain. The flexible but rigid sided pool hose can be run into a toilet, usually the lowest drain in a house, if you rig something to keep it from falling out. For one 20, that's hardly worth it.
I fill with the python.
The cheaper Aqueon knockoff now has a narrower hose. It probably wouldn't be trouble for one tank, but it is slowwwww for multiple tanks.

 

[Uberhoust]

I got the extra long Python and I run the siphon into the garden outside. I don't bother with the green venturi syphon attachment. By siphoning directly outdoors makes it so I don't have to use buckets most of the time. I will still syphon into a bucket if I have small fish or fry in the tank. I lost 3 embers during a moment of inattention.

 

[Byron]

I bought a Python in 1995 when I got my 90g tank, as I knew buckets would never work, not with my back anyway. It still works, though I have twice or maybe three times replaced the faucet adapter unit. In my previous house I had a distance between the utility room and the fish room, and added a 25-foot extension, so it is 75 feet and all was needed in that house. As others note, you can run this to the garden to drain and not lose the water down the drain.

I did find the faucet adapter tended to break, it is plastic, and I got an Aqueon brand adapter the third time which did seem to be a bit stronger. For a while anyway. The brass unit someone mentioned would probably eliminate this issue.

And of course you can make your own as another member noted.

Doesn't really matter which, point is they work so well on large tanks. I had 20g, 29g, 33g, 40g, 70g, 90g and 115g tanks in my house fishroom. I could not have cared for these well at all without the Python.

 

[sharkweek178]

I don't think you'll find any water change system worth anything, other than either a python or a siphon and bucket. I've never had a spill with my python, however, I have managed to kick over a bucket. I've also managed to overflow a bucket.
I now empty tanks with a siphon into a pool filter hose, which fits into a drain. The flexible but rigid sided pool hose can be run into a toilet, usually the lowest drain in a house, if you rig something to keep it from falling out. For one 20, that's hardly worth it.
I fill with the python.
The cheaper Aqueon knockoff now has a narrower hose. It probably wouldn't be trouble for one tank, but it is slowwwww for multiple tanks.

I once started siphoning and realized the hose had slipped out of the bucket while I was pumping water.

 

[Rocky998]

I once started siphoning and realized the hose had slipped out of the bucket while I was pumping water.

Lol
I've don't that as well. I started siphoning and the hose came out of the bucket somehow
I was like NOOOOOO

 

[sharkweek178]

Lol
I've don't that as well. I started siphoning and the hose came out of the bucket somehow
I was like NOOOOOO

Meanwhile, I'm concentrating on vacuuming the sand while the puddle is forming under my feet.