Isabella

As a result of this post: http://www.fishlore.com/Forum/index.php?topic=2680.0, I am wondering about the Python gravel vac. safety. I always thought Python would be able to fill a tank by drawing water from a bucket that stands on a lower level than that of a tank. I thought since it's "so good" maybe it has a mechanism that creates its own pressure and can draw water even from lower-level containers. But because this is not the case, it means one has to fill the tank with water DIRECTLY from the faucet. What this means, in turn, is that one must be filling a tank with CHLORINATED water. So how can Python be safe? I don't believe you can mix dechlorinator with new water safely after you have filled your tank with chlorinated water. I would be VERY afraid to do that. The chlorinated water will reach your fish's system sooner than you can mix it with a dechlorinator.

I always fill a bucket with water first, adjust the temperature to that of the tank's temperature, and mix the water very well with the dechlorinator. Only then do I add that water to any of my tanks. I mean, just think about it: what's the point of adding a dechlorinator to chlorinated water if that water is added to your tank first? Makes absolutely no sense to me. It's precisely the point to dechlorinate your water BEFORE you add it to your tank. How can you do otherwise?

How many of you are using Python? How do you use it? Is there a "safe" way to use it at all? Are your fish OK with that? Are they not affected by chlorine at all? (As we all well know, chlorine is a killer.)

not4you

I used to do the bucket method but once I got my 55G tank I went out and bought a Python. From what I've read about adding dechlor to the water is that it's pretty instantaneous process. What I've been doing is measure out the ammount of dechlor that I'll need and place next to the tank. Then turn on the water and slowly add the dechlor while the tank fills. I even do this with my smaller tanks now and my fish seem to be doing just fine.

Down with buckets!!!

Mike

I've been using a python for the last couple of years without any problems. I pour the chlorine / chloramine eliminator into the water stream while refilling.

However, I don't think I would use the python on breeding tanks with small fry because the chlorine/chloramine could prove to be too much for them.