The Python Compatibility Complaint Thread

I added some tanks recently and therefore got the Python out of storage where it had been for several years. Has anybody else noticed that Python water changers are not compatible with a large percentage of "modern" faucets? And the good folks at Python offer no solutions?

I've had my Python for at least 25 years at 6 different addresses (It is obviously very durable and a great value. Thanks, Python!) and I've never had a problem until now. I have 4 indoor faucets at my current address - 1 kitchen and 3 bathrooms - and it will not adapt to ANY OF THEM. They are all very different models too. The kitchen has a telescoping spray wand that completely prevents any adapter of any kind. The bathrooms' aerators are 100% plastic; 2 of the 3 aerators are completely recessed; all 3, though completely different, are TINY and have unusual threads; and 2 have an O-ring seal around the perimeter instead of the trusted old flat rubber gasket at the base or tapered threads. Compounding things further is the fact that 3 of the 4 faucet barrels are square or rectangle-shaped instead of round. This prevents even the use of economical and easy to use hose clamp-type universal rubber adapters which are large enough to go over the entire barrel and were usually a great option of last resort.

I did go to the hardware store with all of my aerators and the fellow told me I would definitely have to swap the entire faucet to use my Python on any of them. He was very familiar with the Python too, and had a wonderful array of different adapters and whatnot for all kinds of faucets. As a matter of fact, he told me that it would only get worse as faucet manufacturers used more and more plastic rather than metal in their construction. He also believed that these manufacturers PURPOSELY made modern faucets incompatible with garden hose adapters (and therefore Pythons) as a liability measure due to concerns about the extra weight of these devices causing breakage resulting in water damage. As proof he told me that most of the large indoor faucet manufacturers would void your warranty for adapting a hose connection.

I'm a retired pipe tradesman with over 40 years of experience who has done his own plumbing for many decades, so I know this isn't just smoke and mirrors. I was very impressed with this fellow's intimate knowledge on the subject. And just to be sure, I went to 2 home centers on the way home and examined dozens of new faucets up close, and according to my estimate, about 80% of them would present at least some of the same problems to an aquarist with a Python.

In a nutshell, this stinks. I think this explanation from a liability standpoint probably explains nobody's willingness to address the problem, or even admit that a problem exists for that matter. Python didn't cause the problem, but it is Python's responsibility to find a solution. At the very least they should acknowledge the situation and start an education campaign so folks can go in with the understanding that they will most likely need to purchase new faucets. There is definitely a trend away from the "normal" faucets of yesterday that could usually be counted on to work with the few adapters Python does offer, and folks in the hobby need to know. If they don't do something now they might soon find themselves in a very different predicament.

I am not complaining about the otherwise fine product, only the company's lag in keeping things modern and transparent.

I now have aquariums on 2 levels of my home and am bailing much water with buckets while I decide if I really want to replace perfectly good, handsome and expensive faucets that are practically brand new.

Any thoughts?

 

I had to go and get a specific adapter to fit my faucet, but other than that, no problems.

 

I had to go and get a specific adapter to fit my faucet, but other than that, no problems.

For the first 20+ years the standard adapter set available from Python worked on dozens of faucets. But lately I have searched high and low and researched the subject till it haunts my dreams, and I can't find one that will work on either of my 4 very different faucets. Things are obviously changing.

 

Same problem here. Only sink in my house that would work is on the second floor and my tank is on the first, so that doesn't really work.

On the bright side, hauling buckets of water is a great workout!

 

Yep. I'm getting great workouts. I'm also questioning the rather large bioload in that biggest tank.

 

Have you looked into something like this ?

 

Have you looked into something like this ?

That's pretty snazzy for sure, but it won't work on either of my faucets. The kitchen has a nozzle that is practically a shower head with water spraying out of about 30 holes in about a 2 inch circle. All the bathroom faucets have outlets that slope in different ways right at the end that would prevent it from staying on. Thanks for the suggestion though. I am researching something called "bar faucets" that look like they could be easily adapted for use with a python on a bathroom vanity. The key is pinning down exactly what threads are on the aerators and this info isn't always listed. Still researching. It's really been a lesson in frustration.

 

Well the Python probably fits 99% or more faucets. That's pretty good.

 

Well the Python probably fits 99% or more faucets. That's pretty good.

Hello, and thanks for your input.

While that certainly was the case several years ago, I say it is very different these days. You must now purchase your faucets with your Python in mind. Under the 99% formula I would have a 396 to 4 chance of using my Python right now, and I just bailed 20 more gallons of water in buckets. And remember, no two of my faucets are alike. The only thing they have in common is age as they are all less than 5 years old. They are all pretty common-looking too.

 

Can you post a picture of your faucet? i’m curious as to what it looks like

 

Can you post a picture of your faucet? i’m curious as to what it looks like

Thanks for your willingness to try and help. I have been trying for about 30 minutes now but I just don't know how to do it. I took the photos with my iphone 5s but I can't figure out how to get them from there and onto this forum. I'm a retired construction worker. I did that hard physical work exposed to the elements all my life because I don't have any high tech skills at all. If you know of a solution please let me know. All I know how to do is text.

 

Thanks for your willingness to try and help. I have been trying for about 30 minutes now but I just don't know how to do it. I took the photos with my iphone 5s but I can't figure out how to get them from there and onto this forum. I'm a retired construction worker. I did that hard physical work exposed to the elements all my life because I don't have any high tech skills at all. If you know of a solution please let me know. All I know how to do is text.

No worries. You can click “Upload a file” then “Photo library” and pick the photo you want to post.

 

No worries. You can click “Upload a file” then “Photo library” and pick the photo you want to post.

I appreciate your patience. When I click "upload a file" it says, "nothing to see here". Please do not underestimate my complete lack of any computer skills whatsoever.

Can you post a picture of your faucet? i’m curious as to what it looks like

I managed to get those photos onto my gmail manager page. Can I email them to you?

 

May I butt in on this? I have the same issue. I’d love to use the python, but it will not work on any of my sinks. Here are photos. They are nasty. Don’t judge me.

 

May I butt in on this? I have the same issue. I’d love to use the python, but it will not work on any of my sinks. Here are photos. They are nasty. Don’t judge me.

To be fair, you wouldn’t be able to attach anything to those sinks.

 

To be fair, you wouldn’t be able to attach anything to those sinks.

I didn’t think so.

 

I just put a new faucet in my utility room without any mind for the Python, their adaptor works fine for me. 25 foot gets me to my tank with room to spare. Now I have one of the new fancy faucets in the kitchen, no adaptor will ever fir that.

 

I managed to get those photos onto my gmail manager page. Can I email them to you?

My faucets are not nearly as difficult as any of yours.The two I really need to use do have round, threaded aerators. It would be really easy to envision an adapter that would work, and yet such things don't exist only because no one will make ones with the right threads and diameters.

 

Let's face it, the problem isn't so much as with Python as it is with the faucet manufacturers. Why can't all faucets have a screw on aerotor? And why can't they decide on one standard thread?

 

My faucets are not nearly as difficult as any of yours.The two I really need to use do have round, threaded aerators. It would be really easy to envision an adapter that would work, and yet such things don't exist only because no one will make ones with the right threads and diameters.

Let's face it, the problem isn't so much as with Python as it is with the faucet manufacturers. Why can't all faucets have a screw on aerotor? And why can't they decide on one standard thread?

Agreed