Python Water Change System... experience?

Question

OK, so i have 2 tanks a 10g tropical tank which i want to turn into a community (long story, dont ask lol) and my 5g lonely betta tank.... i really hate lugging water to and fro he tank, so i was wondering about the python system.... anyone wanna explain how it works? im still gonna put the water in the buckets, use dechlorinator, let sit for 24hrs THEN vacuum out my tanks and re-fill them with the water, cuz lets face it lugging 16 gallons of water every week hurts like h**l lol... and with hopes of upgrading my 10g to a 20 or 30g, i cringe when water change time comes around!! lol so how does it work? does my plan sound good? and experiences with this system?? THANKYOU!!=]

Answer 1

I have one and wouldn't do without.

You hook one end to sink with the siphon/ fill adapter. other end has cleaning tube. Turn water on which creates a siphon then using cleaning tube you clean gravel. I also set water temp at this time. After water is drained (20%) to the level you want you turn to fill position which then starts the fill process. While filling I drop in the declorinator. No need to leave water set overnight. I do use a siphon hose to partially fill a bucket with some aquarium water to rinse out filter media.

(For Kierstie) My 40 long is 2 inches off the floor with a 55 on the top rack

Answer 2

There is really no need to let the water sit of you are using dechlorinator and it really defetes the purpose of the Python.  Basically a Python hooks up to your sink.  When the drain on the Python is open it acts as a gravel vac/siphon and removes water from the tank.  When it is closed it acts as a hose and puts water in the tank.  (which you then add dechlorinator to)  I don't know that I would really recommend it for tanks as small as your.   I have a 2.5, 6, 10,20 and 65 gal fresh water tank (in addition to my 125 reef)  and the only tank I ever really use the Pyton on is the 65 as it tends to siphon water to quickly in the smaller tanks.  

If your biggest issue is carrying water back and forth they I would recommend  using a regular gravity feed siphon/gravel vac and then using the python to drain the buckets and refill the tanks.  Your other cheaper option is to empty your waste water buckets by hand and get a standard garden hose and an adaptor for the sink and use that to refill the tanks.

Answer 3

Phython is the WAY TO GO!

I have one, I highly recommend it.

You will never again have to carry water in a dirty bucket or start the siphon with your mouth, possibly tasting nasty fish water.

Essentially it is a gravel cleaner, or vacuum, but it is self starting.

The phython hooks directly to your faucet make sure the valve is open.  You put the other end in the tank, turn on the water, it drains, meanwhile you clean your gravel while it's taking out the water.

THEN! the fun part! You put in your dechlorinator, (in the tank) head back to the sink, Turn the valve so that it's closed and then you turn on the right temp. of water and it fills up the tank!

Some water comes drips from the facet, but this way you can feel the temp of the water.

Then your done, turn the valve to open again, roll up the hose towards the sink while you let the water out, (in the sink)

And your done!

(Hey james! why dont you get the flow going, if your tank is up high enough it will go without the water flow being on after you get it started... put a bowl under the water that's coming straight from your tank, and then you wont have to use a seperate bucket/siphon to get your water to clean your filter with.. Just a suggestion!)