TheEssigs

Hey gang...

Does anyone have a Python Clean N Fill water changer?

If so, Do you like it? Why/Why Not?

I was thinking of getting the 50' one, but wanted some reviews before I purchased the thing.



Thanks...

mlinden84

I have one, and i LOVE it! It makes water changes go so fast... I used to spend at least an hour doing them, now it takes 15 minutes at most. (plus no more hauling 5 gallon buckets!)

The only concerns I had were:
-adding the water conditioner... since the water goes right into the tank... but i just use a syringe to slowly add drops of water as it flows out of the hose into the tank... I haven't had any problems so far (i've had the python for about 6 months)
-there gets to be a lot of pressure at the faucet end... i tightened my plastic piece too tight and now it will spray when in "fill" mode. Usually I'll just drape a kitchen towel over it and it's fine.

Overall I think it's great, especially if you have big or multiple tanks (which from your sig. it looks like you do!)

TheEssigs

Thanks mlinden84...

We usually do the 5g bucket thing, but its not going to be easy with the 125g. We havent yet set it up, and before I do, I want to be sure we have everything we need... and doing a 25% water change 5g buckets at a time, sounds... well, horrible.

Anyway, I am also hoping, as you mentioned, to cut down on the maintenance time on all the other tanks as well, since it does take us quite a while to get through all our water changes with the bucket method.

I am really concerned with the Python leaking, and I wanted to be sure that people who have them dont find it a problem. Some of our tanks are in locations that if the water did leak, it would be an issue.

mlinden84

Are you concerned about the python leaking by the tanks? If so, I've never had a problem with that. The hose can be easily taken apart, but also connects tightly and I've never had any leaks on the syphon/vacuum end. (the only problem is the spraying problem... which i have found out can be fixed by getting a brass connector instead of plastic, i just havent gotten around to doing it yet)

I cannot imagine hauling 5 gallon buckets to do water changes for a 125 gallon tank.... lol and I thought doing that for a 55 gallon and smaller tanks was tough!!

jsalemi

Agree -- I have one for my 56g and it's been great. One advantage is that its design aerates the water as it pumps it in, dissipating some of the chlorine before it ever gets into the tank. And dribbling in some Prime or other dechlorinator while filling the tank takes care of the rest.

catersun

I don't know if anyone is still reading this thread, but I just realized that my 30gal came with a python vac, but only realized what it was tonight.

Used it to drain the 12 gal after I moved the fish to the 30. it was NICE!!!!!!!!

mlinden84

Yes they are so nice! Gone are the days of backbreaking work of hauling buckets of water for water changes!

catersun

what facet do you hook your python up to to fill your tank? I found that the attachment did not fit any of my faucets. Wonderful hubby offered to plumb me a hose faucet and drain under a sink for me, but I'm wondering if I can get a new faucet attachement for it easier than a plumbing job. What do you all do?
(yes I have a WONDERFUL hubby.... *little brag* since I didn't have a faucet to work with he held the siphon end up to the shower head while I held the faucet end over then tank to "reverse siphon" clean water back into the 46 gal- I did a 40% water change in the tank to combat the algae curse zigmeister sent me- we were there a while)

mlinden84

i hook mine up to the kitchen sink. I just removed the thing that was screwed onto the faucet (lol sorry i dont know the name... but it was where the python part screws in to) then i put the plastic piece on. i actually leave the white plastic piece on all the time so i dont have worry about taking it on and off.

Allie

You HAVE to get a python. We have the 50' one. The are the best invention ever. Especially with bigger tanks...just put your water treatment in while it's filling back up. Hook it up to your kitchen sink & ta da. We don't worry about treatment with our 120g...it's been set up for well over a year now so 25% untreated water hasn't effected our fish. In fact our fish have been thriving, growing faster and happy.
I tell ya, I sure don't miss lugging buckets back & forth to our bathtub.

Barbrella

A Python sounds great and I'd LOVE to give up my 5g. buckets, but how do you know you're putting correct temp. of water back into the tank? How does that work?

mlinden84

Plus you can take a bath knowing your bathtub hasn't recently had fish poo water in it!

mlinden84

I leave the water running in "vacuum" mode so it's draining into the sink, and use a thermometer to test the temp, then i put it in "fill" mode.

Allie

Yeah it got a little tiring cleaning the tub every time we did water changes.

capekate

Im also sick of hauling 5g buckets to empty and fill my 55g tank and would love the python as well. My hubby has other ideas tho. He feels that since all the water drains into the sink and hence goes into the septic tank we are wasting water and filling the septic tank. That is the only draw back that I can see. He feels that throwing the water outside it will leach back into the well and in the end save us water.
Now I have to try and convince him that the python IS the way to go!

~ kate

mlinden84

Do you have a window near where your tank is? You could always use something like the python to just drain the water out your window (works great to water flowers! unfortunately for me, the tank is in the basement so it wouldnt work). Then after it is drained, you could hook the python up to the sink to fill it, which would mean no more buckets (or water spilling all over!)
Just an idea....

capekate

Hi Mlinden
that is a great idea! Yes, the tank is right next to a window on the first floor and I would be able to drain the water out there. Thanks so much for the great advice... it can work!

Gotta tell my hubby now! Im sure he would be happy to not have to haul buckets for me. lol

~ kate

Gozer_1

A Python needs to be hooked up to a sink or other faucet to work properly. The white plastic adaptor that hooks to your sink is better replaced with a metal one from Home Depot. The green plastic "pump" is easy to cross thread and is easy to damage with over tightening so be careful. Don't leave it in fill mode with the ball valve closed for very long or you will build too much pressure in the hose VERY quickly. That aside, my Python is one of the VERY best investments I have ever made in this hobby. I have a 150 and it just doesn't work for me to carry that much water. Yes the air bubbles it creates help eliminate some chlorine and you can just add the dechlor to your tank. It will just sit there until it comes across chlorine. I add a little right before I start filling. A little in the middle of filling and a little when I'm done just to be sure. I have been using a Python for about a year and never had more than a broken "pump" assembly. 7 bucks and it was back in action.