for all the python users out there

[lovleeko]

I have been thinking of getting a python. I usually do it the old fashioned way. I am a little uncomfortable putting tap water straight into the tank. I know that you just add the treatment first and the add the water. But I'm paranoid that the chlorine in the water will come into contact with my bacteria and fish even for just a second or two. Any thoughts? Did you ever worry about this?

[cocoa_pleco]

not a worry, tapwater will have its effects after a half hour or more in the tank. it takes a few minutes to fill the tank, so as long as you add in conditioner after, no problem

[lovleeko]

Are you saying that the tap water can't do anything until it has been in there for more than half an hour? Sorry for being confused. I need to go to bed. LOL

[Sharon]

I use a python and I add the water conditioner at the same time that I'm filling the tank.

[korith]

I have been thinking of getting a python. I usually do it the old fashioned way. I am a little uncomfortable putting tap water straight into the tank. I know that you just add the treatment first and the add the water. But I'm paranoid that the chlorine in the water will come into contact with my bacteria and fish even for just a second or two. Any thoughts? Did you ever worry about this?

I used to worry about it, but after reading in all the various forums and such, it doesn't worry me anymore. The chemical reaction happens fairly quickly, so chlorine and other stuff doesn't get a chance to do its harm. What I like to do when doing a water change, is to add half the dechlorinator right before I add new water to the tank. Then the other half later on while water is added in.

By the way you can make your own python for cheaper, all you need to do is get that Facet adapter thing, I found one they made for waterbeds that works perfectly. Then whatever amount of tubing can be gotten at any hardware store.

You'll love the python once you got it, your back will thank you, and it is a huge time saver too.

[cocoa_pleco]

Are you saying that the tap water can't do anything until it has been in there for more than half an hour? Sorry for being confused. I need to go to bed. LOL

yep, thats right

[labnjab]

I've been using a python for 6 months or more, and haven't had any ill effects. As long as you put the conditioner in before you start to fill and the temperature matches, you should be good to go.

[Northernguy]

I have added water before and completely forgot about adding dechlorinator.All my fish were fine.I did another water change a few days later when I realized it.lol.I did not notice anything strange about my fish either.They didn't seem stressed at all!
Its not recommended though!

[bushwhacker]

lemme put this mathematically.. i do water changes on my 75 and 55 gallon tanks at least once a week ..50 to 60% so on the 75 allowing 3.5 to 4 gallons per bucket thats 8-10 buckets (16 to 20 trips) add in the 55? get a python!

[lovleeko]

Thanks all for the comforting words. LOL I do sort of have a way to do something slightly harder than the python but easier than the traditional way. I have a filter on my sink that is built in. But you can pop it out and it is connected to this hose. So the tube from the vacuum just pops right on it. and the I pull the vacuum part off and viola. And the tank is in front of a window, (no worries it is double paned so no drafts and I have dark curtains and blinds up so no sun gets through.) So I can just lift up the curtains and blinds and window and suck the water straight out the window. Which yes is more complicated than if I have a python but it is easier than the bucket method.

[lovleeko]

Nice idea, you can buy the adapter that goes to the python online. [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Good idea!!Thanks!


I used to worry about it, but after reading in all the various forums and such, it doesn't worry me anymore. The chemical reaction happens fairly quickly, so chlorine and other stuff doesn't get a chance to do its harm. What I like to do when doing a water change, is to add half the dechlorinator right before I add new water to the tank. Then the other half later on while water is added in.

By the way you can make your own python for cheaper, all you need to do is get that Facet adapter thing, I found one they made for waterbeds that works perfectly. Then whatever amount of tubing can be gotten at any hardware store.

You'll love the python once you got it, your back will thank you, and it is a huge time saver too.

[korith]

Nice idea, you can buy the adapter that goes to the python online. [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Good idea!!Thanks!

That's true, also a lot of petshops sell individual python parts separately. My reasoning to go with the water bed fill/drain kit adapater was that it was made out of a metal. The one that python sells is made out of plastic. I figured it would last a lot longer that way. The water bed adapter itself is more or less the same as the python.

[lovleeko]

Does it drain and fill?


That's true, also a lot of petshops sell individual python parts separately. My reasoning to go with the water bed fill/drain kit adapater was that it was made out of a metal. The one that python sells is made out of plastic. I figured it would last a lot longer that way. The water bed adapter itself is more or less the same as the python.

[freshwaterfishlover]

I use a 1 gallon milk jug to fill my tanks. After each time I empty the jug into the tank I add drops.-

[bushwhacker]

I use a 1 gallon milk jug to fill my tanks. After each time I empty the jug into the tank I add drops.-

how many pairs of shoes do you wear out a week doing water changes??

[korith]

Does it drain and fill?

Yep. At the bottom of the facet adaper there is a knob you can turn. If it's closed the water will go to the tank, if it's open the water will drain from tank. When draining just run cold water to get the siphon started. Also I like to put a bowl with a thermometer in it under the facet, and get the temperature just right before I send it out to the tank. I put a pitcher into the tank too, and the python spills into that, helps keep the substrate from getting disturbed and making a huge flourite cloud in the tank.

[C-Dub]

I use a 1 gallon milk jug to fill my tanks. After each time I empty the jug into the tank I add drops.-


Oof, that must be fun with your 45gal.:hmm3grin2orange:

[lovleeko]

Do you use the vacuum tube from a gravel vac? I have some tanks that still have gravel even though soon I want to add sand to all the tanks. Where do you find the water bed attachment?

P.S thanks for sharing all this with me.


Yep. At the bottom of the facet adaper there is a knob you can turn. If it's closed the water will go to the tank, if it's open the water will drain from tank. When draining just run cold water to get the siphon started. Also I like to put a bowl with a thermometer in it under the facet, and get the temperature just right before I send it out to the tank. I put a pitcher into the tank too, and the python spills into that, helps keep the substrate from getting disturbed and making a huge flourite cloud in the tank.

[cocoa_pleco]

Oof, that must be fun with your 45gal.:hmm3grin2orange:

lol, i had to fill my 125g with RO water from the store using 1 5g bottle and 2 3g bottles

[Sharon]

How many days did it take????:hmm3grin2orange:

[MrJim]

I never heard of the Python thing~~sounds interesting, and my tank is fairly close to the kitchen. Not a big deal now on 10gal but for the soon comin' 29-40 that would be neat.thumbs2:

[shockshockshad]

You probably already have your question answered, but what i do, when im filling it, is about every 15 seconds (or less depending on the size of the tank) i add a bit of dechlorinator, untill the full dose has been added.

[lovleeko]

You probably already have your question answered, but what i do, when im filling it, is about every 15 seconds (or less depending on the size of the tank) i add a bit of dechlorinator, untill the full dose has been added.


I know I shouldn't be, but I still get worried. But I guess I will get past it. It seems as though plenty of people do it with no bad results. I am just the paranoid type.

[fishbum]

I would highly recommend getting one.Just add the conditioner before or as your filling the tank back up.After the first time you use it,you'll kick yourself for not getting one sooner.It saves A LOT of time,and is sooooo much easier than a bucket. Your fish will be fine.

[lovleeko]

I would highly recommend getting one.Just add the conditioner before or as your filling the tank back up.After the first time you use it,you'll kick yourself for not getting one sooner.It saves A LOT of time,and is sooooo much easier than a bucket. Your fish will be fine.
I am going to. Thanks :) Well at least I am going to make the knock off version of one. LOL Another project for my husband!

[JaredCBell]

Python is a waste of money! Get the Lee's gravel vaccum at walmart for 24.99! Its the exact same thing! 25 feet long (they have the 50 too, little more expensive) and I have NEVER had a problem with it. Everywhere else its the same price as the python but at walmart its half.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.] (dont get it here and pay no attention to those three reviews. I have never had those issues and that sounds like user operated errors)

Honestly, its the best investment I have ever made.

when I am done doing a 25% water change, I fill the tank back up and add about 10 drops of treatment. Never a problem.

[korith]

Do you use the vacuum tube from a gravel vac? I have some tanks that still have gravel even though soon I want to add sand to all the tanks. Where do you find the water bed attachment?

P.S thanks for sharing all this with me.

I had the gravel vac portion of the tube from a hand siphon, I put that on the end of the hose. Basically it looks just like the python kit you buy, except I found and put the parts together. I needed something longer than 25' and wasn't willing to pay the high price of the python kit.

The water bed attachment thing I had in the basement at home. But I'm fairly sure you can buy it in pretty much any furniture store or maybe even walmart? Should be less than $10. You could always just buy the python adapter, and buy your own rubber tubing. Some people just use a regular garden hose instead, but I keep hearing mixed reviews on that.

[lovleeko]

Yeah I think I'll go with the python adaptor for ease of finding it. I was wondering because that was what I was planing on doing. Just taking the vacuum part off of a regular hand syphon vacuums. The only thing I might have to do is take the vac off of the tubing while refilling because my vacuum has some sort of make up that only allows it to suck and water can't make it through the other way. I'm going to send my husband to lowes to find the tubing. I can't wait. I am thinking with the adaptor to the python only costing about five bucks, and the tubing should be under ten, I could be really saving a bundle. Thanks for the idea!! It wont make it any harder just to pop the vac part off and fill the tank back up with the tubing. I'm getting all excitedthumbs2:




I had the gravel vac portion of the tube from a hand siphon, I put that on the end of the hose. Basically it looks just like the python kit you buy, except I found and put the parts together. I needed something longer than 25' and wasn't willing to pay the high price of the python kit.

The water bed attachment thing I had in the basement at home. But I'm fairly sure you can buy it in pretty much any furniture store or maybe even walmart? Should be less than $10. You could always just buy the python adapter, and buy your own rubber tubing. Some people just use a regular garden hose instead, but I keep hearing mixed reviews on that.

[korith]

I don't have images of the one I made handy, but here is a link to someone's post on another forum where they put one together [Only Registered Users Can See Links.] They list where they bought the items from and for how much. Here is another link to someone who put one together [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[lovleeko]

AWESOME!!! Thanks Korith! This is perfect. And I dont know where he's shopping. A 25 foot python kit here is 45 dollars. You can get a bit cheaper online but the shipping is about ten dollars. Anyway, thanks again!

[fraggle]

I just set up a python thing at home. When I clean the gravel, I've got a length of garden hose that I stuff the gravel vac hose into, (fits perfectly!) and the water goes straight outside, and just on the weekend my hubby put the hotwater tap outside, so I just hook up the garden hose to that, get the temp right, put the de-chlor in the tank and hey presto she fills!!!!!! It saved me soooooo much time! I'm kicking myself I didn't do it earlier! To clean and fill the 2 55G used to take me half a day, on the weekend it took me 2 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo!:19: thumbs2: