capekate

I just got my python in todays delivery of supplies and had to try it out on the 55.
After finding out the fitting does not fit my kitchen faucet and three trips to two different hardware stores I had to come home empty handed. My husband is going to go to a plumbing supply store this weekend. So we found that it did fit the bathroom faucet tho and so hooked it up there for now. After following the directions,( easy enough), much to my husbands dismay the cold water tap had to continually run (and out into the drain) in order to create the vacuum that would empty the tank. Our water is from our well and we depend on the weather to make sure there is water in there. I do not like to waste water at all and the thought that we are now using twice as much water in a water change is bothering us. I was not aware this was how the python system worked. Its fine for filling the tank, but for emptying the tank, Im not sure this is going to fly with my husband at all.He says that he may still use the buckets to empty the tank, but use the python to fill it.
As far as time wise, it was great! Easy enough, tho I wish the vacuum tube was longer like on the siphon I have now. I also found even at full open tap I did not have the suction like I do with the other hand vacuum/siphon.
So the only good thing about the python IMO is that I will be able to fill my new tank with it, but have to say, I could have done that with a hose that costs much less than the 50.00 I paid for the python.
I wish I was much happier with the python than I am.

Mike

Hmm, once I get the siphon going I turn off the water on the faucet and it still drains water from the tank, albeit much slower than when the water on the faucet is left on. Mine is quite a bit older though, maybe they changed the interworking of the connections.

sirdarksol

Mine does the same as yours, Mike. As long as the aquarium's water level is above the output in the sink, it should drain without the water on.

lew2000

you can go to your local hardware store and get a connector to dual connector fitting so you can add a length of hose to the existing python hose. So you can extend it which is what i did. You can obviuosly make one from fittings and hose from hardware store and the drain connector (which now that waterbed store don't exist - you have to special order or get on internet) but it still costs about 30.00 to make your own.

capekate

Thanks Mike and SDS
I will try that the next time. I can understand the logic now. I was under the impression that you had to keep the water running while emptying the tank. If I am only emptying water I can go with that method, but the siphon still does not pick up much off the gravel.
Lew:
Are you saying that I can add a garden hose that will dump the water outside and not down the drain by dual connectors?
I have 50ft of hose from the python that gives me plenty of hose for the job on the two tanks and I can even reach into my art room/computer/fish room and do those four tanks as well.
As far as the adapter goes, the one from the hardware store did fit both ends, only problem was that the one going into the faucet was too short for the threads to catch. so I need that end to be a bit longer. I think I will find what I need at the plumbing supply. I guess I was not really sure what you were saying in your reply. Sorry its still early and Im trying to rush before getting ready for work.

sirdarksol

Yeah, the vacuum's not all that strong. It's actually really nice for me, because it's not strong enough to pick up the EcoComplete in my big tank.
If I run the hose outside, though, the siphon is really strong. The difference is in the height of the output. In the sink, it's maybe a foot or two below the water line. Outdoors, it's four to six feet below the water line, depending on what I'm watering at the time.

lew2000

Capekate - well when i read my reply i am not sure what i meant either What i was trying to get at is what sirdarksol was saying - you can get an adapter so you can connect to garden hose so that you can extend it in to yard/driveway and the lower the hose end the greater the suction. I used to just suck on the hose end(not use the tap at all) and then once water started flowing (as sirdarksol said, the lower the hose end the greater the gravity flow) and i use that water to water plants etc. and if not i just save it to a large water container for use later. This way at least i don't feel like i am wasting very much water - i have the same concern you do about that.

capekate

Thanks for the advice Lew and SDS
I would like to be able to use the used tank water when emptying it to water the garden or items in the green house in the spring. I dont think that sucking on the vacuum hose to get the water flowing is going to work...my goodness it is 50ft long! I can try using the python siphon the same way I use the hand held ones tho and try to get the water flowing that way. This way I would not have to have the sink water running while emptying the tank.
Thanks for the suggestions I will try it next time and especially in the months that I am watering the gardens.

sirdarksol

You'd be surprised. I actually won't put my mouth on the end of the hose, so I cup my hand around the hose and suck on the opening at the end of my fist, instead, and it works, even with a lot of the suction being lost between my fingers. You only have to inhale until you feel the air rushing down the length of the hose, and then you can stop, so there's no chance of getting a mouthful of tank water.
Or, you could use the "fill the vacuum and turn it upside-down" version, and instead of putting your thumb on the end of the hose, use the cutoff valve to manipulate the water flow while you're getting things started.

capekate

Well, all I have to say is your lung capacity must be far greater than my own. Even doing that, I cant imagine getting enough pull to reach the end of a 50 ft hose to draw water. I will try another way, (same idea) I thought I would use the python like I do the other manual siphon and see if I can get the water running that way, I dont see why that wouldnt work.
thanks so much tho, it sure will help on saving some water.

capekate

Since there is hardly any vacuum power in the python and it may be due to the 50f length, my husband thought it may be a good idea to cut some length off it. Which I may do or not just not sure yet. But what we have decided tho is to go back to the bucket and manual siphon for cleaning the gravel and use the python for just taking water out and filling the tank.
I did try the python the other day to empty a tank and for some reason there was not even enough suction to get the python working. I dont know what the heck was wrong, as it did work the first and second time we used it.
But for all the trouble it is causing us, it sure is easier to use it to fill the tanks rather than lugging buckets of water to the tank.

sirdarksol

It may be the length. The one I have is 20-25' (I don't remember which). That's a lot of extra space to move around. It's still useful for filling, and will be good for draining into the garden (I've used a 50' tube to do that with no problems).