Better cleaning needed (long drain hose, Python?)

I have a 29G freshwater with platies. Nothing special. I have been cleaning it using a hand pump suction hose and buckets, and I'm tired of it. Plus, even after draining it halfway, there is still usually fish poop left I didn't suck up. So I am looking for a product that can achieve the following goals:

1. Better suction, if possible.
2. A long enough hose that I can actually drain it directly outside instead of into my septic tank (30 feet?)
3. A feature to refill without buckets.

I've looked into the Python, but it looks to me like it wastes a lot of water. The height difference between the sink and tank is only a couple inches, so if I turned the water off to drain, I wouldn't get sufficient suction, plus, I'd rather drain outside.

Maybe a two-part solution is best, one to fill, one to drain? I could even use a garden hose on the utility sink to fill if it came down to it.

Has anyone used the WALOTAR tank cleaner?

 

We do a 50% change on our 120 litre each week. We simply attach a 30ft garden hose to a tap on the end of the siphon hose to siphon all the way to the back drain (we marked a ruler having measured 60litres out of the tank with buckets first). Then, after detaxhing the hose from the siphon, we fill an 80litre plastic dustbin with treated water in the utility room and use a pond pump attached to the same garden hose to pump water straight back into the tank. No wasted water as the little left in the dustbin goes on the garden.
Dunno what to do about detritus as we have good mechanical filtration, lots of plants and an army of amano shrimp so that we don't vacuum much.

 

Okay so you have a few options. (These are some I've used working in the fish world)

The long python hoses are great, I use one a lot and shoot the water outside into my flower beds. I refill with buckets tho. I like having control of the temp and speed the water is going into the tank.

You can also do water changes with a big rubbermaid trashcan on wheels. Get a water pump and you can pump the dirty water out. Then refill the trashcan with clean declorinated water to the temp you want, and use the same pump to pump it back into the fish tank.

You can also set up auto water change and fill but that requires plumbing so may be a bit much for a 26g tank.

 

The python was the second best purchase I made since starting this hobby. Connect it straight to my warm water tap and put conditioner in the tank when you start filling. I couldn’t recommend it more. It’s expensive and you can make your own for a fraction of the price but that’s up to you.

I used the tap to pull the water out with the python at first but it doesnt have great suction and like you say it wastes a lot of water. I now put that end out in the garden and suck on the end myself. It works great then.

 

I have a Python wannbe. I find it picks up but does not remove much stuff other then water...but I love it ..it hooks to my laundry tub, one floor below...50 foot hose. To fill I waste a lot of water getting the temp right...then into the tank.

 

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I have a Python wannbe. I find it picks up but does not remove much stuff other then water...but I love it ..it hooks to my laundry tub, one floor below...50 foot hose. To fill I waste a lot of water getting the temp right...then into the tank.

I actually marked a spot on the washtub spigot where the temp is correct. Always seems to work within a degree or two of the tank temp, as long as I let it run for about 45 seconds first, as long as it's not after the whole family has showered and run out the water heater tank.

 

Hey queensryche77
To get more working time as you suck water and poop out of the gravel. Place the bucket up from the floor on a chair etc. This will slow the vacuum. Or use a smaller diameter hose. Do you know the two handed technique for vacuuming? This will slow the water loss as you vacuum without any cost .
A link to a video everyone can learn from.

15 gallons/ 60 litres of water can be moved on wheels if your floor is the same surface all the way with no steps. I highly recommended a bucket on wheels.( New rubbish bin) And an electric pond pump.

 

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I actually marked a spot on the washtub spigot where the temp is correct. Always seems to work within a degree or two of the tank temp, as long as I let it run for about 45 seconds first, as long as it's not after the whole family has showered and run out the water heater tank.

Yep...I have a cold and a hot tap, and I tried to mark them...maybe if I put tape on both, it will work