Speaking of Pythons

[Fins]

I've had mine for a while now. Over time I noticed mineral deposits on the inside of the hose which you would expect to see since there is no way to dry it out after using it. The last few times I've used it I've noticed these larger dark black areas which I now believe is mold growing on the inside of the hose.

I had the revelation that using the Python in that condition to put water back into my tank I could be putting some of those mold spores back into my tank and ultimately the filter. So now I started only draining my tank with the Python and filling it with a bucket.

Anyone else notice this or am I just crazy?

[Zilla]

Nope, not crazy. I've had it happen to the cheap syphon hose things I buy and refused to use it in my tank after that. I do however now make sure there is no water left sitting in the hose after using it. <---- This is for the new one I bought. The old one went into the recycle bin.

[rich311k]

It happens. I have no idea if the stuff is bad or not. Mine has few little spots of it. I rinse mine eery few uses by running very hot water through it.

[Northernguy]

Use a garden hose to refill the tank.

[korith]

Not really sure if it's anything to worry about. You could try to clean the tubing. One method I've read about on some forum is to get a large bin, add water and some bleach. Then attach a powerhead to one end of the hose, and then put it and the other end of the hose into the bin. This way the water circulates, and the bleach can take care of the muck built up inside the tubing. After it's clean, change the water and add water along with some dechlorinator. And let it run some more. Can always let it bake in the sun too, till the bleach smell is gone.

My method is just to get rid of the tubing, then go to the hardware store and buy the tubing by the foot. I think my python I made the tubing cost me 19 cents a foot.

[Lady Hobbs]

Any type of hosing will develop that stuff. I drain my hose in the tub and hang it over the shower head for a couple hours but have had to pour bleach down the hose before. It killed the mold but didn't toally remove it but it lightened it up and it never got any worse. I would rather the mold than the broken back of hauling pails of water. :)

It can't be any worse than the gunk that grows in your filter tubes.

[terrapin24h]

Mine is a marina brand "python" and my hose has no such spots. I've been using it over a year now. I think it helps that i rinse it out after every use with full hot water, then suck all the water out that i can. The only thing i don't like about mine is that the orings in the connection fittings are getting weak and it will leak where it connects to the faucet when set to drain mode. I take it apart and grease the fittings and rings with silicone grease and it's good for a little while. Still better than buckets

--chris

[dragoonwoman]

The only thing i don't like about mine is that the orings in the connection fittings are getting weak and it will leak where it connects to the faucet when set to drain mode. I take it apart and grease the fittings and rings with silicone grease and it's good for a little while. Still better than buckets

--chris

Home Depot, Lowe's or any large hardware store should have replacement O-rings. Just take one from the python with you to be sure you get the right size and thickness. Cost is maybe $3 for a package of 6.

[terrapin24h]

Home Depot, Lowe's or any large hardware store should have replacement O-rings. Just take one from the python with you to be sure you get the right size and thickness. Cost is maybe $3 for a package of 6.

Yeah, i know. I just keep forgetting to :) I swear, i go to those places at least once a week for something, and i always forget stuff. Someday i'll do one big consolidation trip and get everything i need, but no doubt ill forget something then too, lol

--chris

[kaybee]

I've been using the same python tubing for about 5 years now and luckily haven't seen any mold growing in it.

[Piscine]

I've never had any problems with mold. Maybe where and how you store it has something to do with it.

I always make sure all of the water is out, then roll it up into about a 1ft roll, and put it in an area that gets a decent amount of light.