Using my new Python AND watering my grass at the same time!

Let me put my question up top for those who don't want to read the rest: I've switched from 5 gallon buckets to the Python Clean and Fill. If I'm filling my tank back up from water changes using the Python, then I need to add de-chlorinator directly to my tank as the Python is pouring water in. Do I add de-chlor for the amount of water I'm adding, or for the entire tank volume? So if I change out 10 gallons from my 40 gallon tank, do I de-chlor for 10 or 40?

Not wasting water using the Python:
I found that lugging a 5 gallon bucket for my weekly water changes was causing me to be lazy and skip cleanings at times when I did not feel like lugging the bucket! So I bought a Python. What bothered me is the concept of running the tap water down the drain while siphoning out the tank for the cleaning. A big waste of gallons of water.

My solution was to buy a long enough Python (75 feet) that reached from my tank, out my back door, to my back yard water faucet. I used fishing line to suspend one end of a gutter downspout extension (a wide diameter, black tube) under the faucet. The other end was placed in my grass away from the house. When I connected the Python and turned on the faucet to start the siphon flow, the water from both the faucet and from the tank itself poured into the downspout tube and out into the yard to water the grass. The yard is slightly sloped, so the water spread out nicely.

This method saves water, but adds time to my cleaning. When the weather is too hot or cold, after I finish siphoning, I will have to move the Python inside to my bathroom sink where I can control the temperature of the water flowing back into the tank. But even with moving the Python inside and out I'm saving time over the bucket method.

 

I always treat for the entire tank and not just the amount added. I think that is how it is supposed to be done....

I love your solution for maximizing the use of all that water!!

 

I got picked up an Aqueon watch exchanger and used it for the first time on my tank yesterday. I got the 50 ft hose and I must say, the suction on it sucks! It hardly cleaned the gravel at all so I just resorted to using it just for water changes and ill have to do the old way for an extensive gravel vac every few times.

And yes, add for the entire volume of the tank before adding new water. Chlorine will kill your bacteria in your tank and filter if you don't add it first, you could experience a mini-cycle.

 

My 75 foot Python has amazing suction. I was really impressed with the suction produced by the flowing faucet water. I also like the cut off valve that is near the siphon. This allowed me to cut off the flow and move the siphon to a new spot in the gravel before turning it back on. I have zebras that try to get in the pipe as I'm cleaning, so this method works well to keep them from getting sucked up as I move the hose around.

 

I've now had several times to use the Python, and, for me, there is no going back to buckets. The Python works very well for my tank cleaning. The biggest irritation is dealing with the 75 foot length - since it tends to get wound up in spots and get loops in it. I just periodically spread it out in the yard and work out the kinks.

 

Nice. I have found the water it takes to do the gravel vac is a huge waste that I can't get over. So I will use the old siphon and 26 gallon garbage can for gravel vacs and water changes and use the python to fill it.

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Yeah - I don't think I could bring myself to drain the tank with the siphon if I wasn't re-routing the water into my grass. Too big a waste.

 

I feel the same way about running the water just to create suction. Not only is it wasteful, but our sewer charges are crazy! The per gallon sewer rate is higher than the water rate.
Anyway, I have a gravel vac with the bulb/pump. I bought 20 ft of tubing at the home improvement store (for about .39 per foot) along with a small hose clamp to replace the 6' (?) piece after the bulb. Now, the tube is long enough to run out my sliding back door and into the grass. I run a hose directly into the tank (and dose the whole thing) to refill. No buckets!

 

I bought 20 ft of tubing at the home improvement store (for about .39 per foot) along with a small hose clamp to replace the 6' (?) piece after the bulb. Now, the tube is long enough to run out my sliding back door and into the grass. I run a hose directly into the tank (and dose the whole thing) to refill. No buckets!

That is exactly how I am planning to do mine. My tank is about 6 feet from my patio door so I'm going to get a hose that's about 12-15 ft and drain it right outside and use the aqueon water changer to fill it.