missi

Hi again,

I am really hating my syphon... i have a deep tank, on a tall counter, and I am vertically challenged, and trying to dig around in the gravel with the syphon as it sucks out the gunk into a bucket that happens to be on the same chair i am trying to balance on just isn't working! SO I want to get a Vacuum so I can dig around in the bottom, but not have to balance the bucket at the same time! then I can just use the syphon to get water out when I do water changes!

So on to the question. I need product recommendations. I dont care if the vacuum needs to be plugged in, or if it takes batteries (though i prefer plug in, because I hate batteries and disposing of them safely) I see a ton online, but they are expensive, and I don't want to buy a piece of junk!

And I know about pump things that hook up to your sink, but I dont like how it wastes so much water... I like to help out the plants with the water I take out, not just wash it down the drain all the time. They are great in theory, but not for me.

If this is a bad idea please let me know, but I am guessing this is probably a fairly decent one. I live in Chandler, AZ (but work in Phoenix) so if you know of a good place here to grab one, that would be good too! (will travel within reason for good product, or deal with the syphon a bit longer and order it online) I'm doing a water change as soon as I get home, so having it today would be nice!

OH! I have a Pregnant Platy, she came that way from the store... grrr. Any floating breeder recommendations? I am considering letting my frog eat the fry, as I cant get him to eat anything else, but for some reason I want them to live. No second tank yet... I know its bad, but I have limited space and a neat freak of a fiance who doesn't like clutter...

Sorry if that was obnoxiously long. I had too much coffee this morning!

Thank You Thank You Thank You
in advance

agabr123

the only one i know of that i can recommend is a python, from what i've heard, they're amazing! don't know about the water waste though...i'll wait for someone who's used one (they're out of my price range right now and wouldn't fit on the sink in my dorm)

CHoffman

I've seen electric syphons before in the Foster and smith catolog i get but Have never used one myself so I couldn't tell you if they are worth the money or not. I do have a python...THe one that hooks up to your sink. IF your wanting to save the water that you take out of the tank you could always just put whatever you needed in a container and the rest down the sink..It makes refilling the tank a breeze. Much easier then lifting the 5 gallon bucket up to the tank. ..But here are some links for the Power vacs I was talking about..Maybe one of these will work for you.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...680&catid=1123

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...034&catid=1123

Dozey

A very interesting product with an equally interesting price tag. I think I’ll stick with my python.

dancerhas

I've read that the ratio of cleaned water to wasted water for a python is 5 to 1. In other words, it'll take 5 gallons from your tank for every 1 gallon that comes through your faucet. So let's say your cleaning a 50 gallon tank and removing 15 gallons of water per change, you'd only be wasting around 3 gallons of water.

jdhef

Is that even possible?

jdhef

Yes, but she would also be wasting the old tank water, which she wants to use to water her plants. I guess when you live in the desert, you are more "water aware".

CHoffman

Me too ...That's a little to high. I love my python.

dancerhas

oops, I must've missed that part.

missi

I cant afford that one from the Drs. WOW. That is a bit much.

I like the idea of the Python, and I guess it does not waste as much water as I initially thought, but I still like to conserve whatever water I can. Stupid Desert....

Will the Python fit on all kitchen sinks? I have a retractable faucet, so the end on it is weird. It can be spray or stream, so I am not sure the Python would even fit, and I think the bathroom is too far with the corners.

shih-tzu mom

hi; the python will fit most kitchen taps -but if it don't you can buy the thingy for your tap at home depot lol hope this helps bella.

dancerhas

You can get the python in lengths up to 100 feet I believe. Might have to online order though. If you take your faucet Aerator in to Lowes or Home Depot they can probably find you a garden hose adaptor to fit your faucet.

mlfly

Regarding losing the tank water, once you turn the faucet on the syphon begins working and pulling from the tank. I have a second person slip a container under the python connector when the tank water is draining. Then I use that water for rinsing filters, plants and rocks (when necessary). If you don't have a second person it's still possible - you'll just have to run to the sink and back. But it doesn't drain or fill so fast that you don't have time to do this.

Mike