DIY: Water Changer...Help Please

[Ghpr13]

OK, I've spent most of the morning reading up on the 3 main water changers out there, the Python, Aqueon, and Lee. I've also read a number of posts on different sites about making your own using a waterbed filler kit.

Now, to my untrained eyes, all 3 of the "pump/siphon" unit looks the same for any of the named 3 and for the waterbed ones I've found. Those of you out there that have actually used these products, may be able to tell me if there are differences in the quality of this piece. From what I'm reading, the weakest link in any of these is the adapter that connects to the faucet. These seem to break quite often.

I've done enough research to know that if I'm going to use a "garden" type hose, it must be a "safe" hose for drinking water, like an RV hose. What I'm confused by is if I wanted to use a clear tube hosing, like the kind that comes with these water changers, what size would I need, where would I buy it, and how would I connect it to the "pump/siphon" unit?

I know it would be easier just to buy the whole thing, but here's my problem with that. I measured the distance from my tank to my sink and it's about 28'. I really don't want to pay double the price of the 25 foot one, just for an extra 3 or 4 feet I need. Plus, I rather take the money I save on a DIY water changer and use it on other items for my tank.

So any of you Tim Taylor "The Tool Man" types have any suggestions or answers, they would be very appreciated.

Thanks,
Ghpr13

[nikelodeon79]

A Home Improvement store like Home Depot, Lowes, or Menards would have all necessary tools, including clear plastic tubing, fittings, etc. The hose is 5/8" outer diameter, with an inner diameter of 1/2". Fittings would be standard 5/8" just like a garden hose.

The Python (the part that actually connects to your sink and drains/fills the water) is identical to the part that comes with a waterbed fill kit: the only real difference is the Python is green and all the waterbed fill attachments I've found are blue. I actually lost my Python attachment and just bought a waterbed attachment to replace it.

I use this because the adapter that attaches to various sinks is TERRIBLE and gets stripped and falls off all of the time: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Python-Produ...#ht_500wt_1076 I suspect a home improvement store would have something identical for much cheaper, but the Python I originally purchased came with the metal one (I'm just lucky, I guess, LOL).

Python does sell various hose sizes (25, 50, 75, and 100 feet) but building your own would be much cheaper.

[Ghpr13]

A Home Improvement store like Home Depot, Lowes, or Menards would have all necessary tools, including clear plastic tubing, fittings, etc. The hose is 5/8" outer diameter, with an inner diameter of 1/2". Fittings would be standard 5/8" just like a garden hose.

The Python (the part that actually connects to your sink and drains/fills the water) is identical to the part that comes with a waterbed fill kit: the only real difference is the Python is green and all the waterbed fill attachments I've found are blue. I actually lost my Python attachment and just bought a waterbed attachment to replace it.

I use this because the adapter that attaches to various sinks is TERRIBLE and gets stripped and falls off all of the time: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Python-Produ...#ht_500wt_1076 I suspect a home improvement store would have something identical for much cheaper, but the Python I originally purchased came with the metal one (I'm just lucky, I guess, LOL).

Python does sell various hose sizes (25, 50, 75, and 100 feet) but building your own would be much cheaper.

nikelodeon79,
Thanks for that detail info. I think that's the way I'll go. I'm pretty good at putting things together like that, specially when you can save a few bucks.

Thanks again,
Ghpr13

[Trillianne]

One reason to use a clear hose is that that way if you accidentally start to suck something up such as a fish or a fry (baby fish) you have a greater chance of seeing it and potentially save it.

Also, if your hose gets a clog someplace.. you can actually see the place the clog is at... which does help when you are trying to fix the problem.

On a not as related note... it seems that water changers do come up fairly often on craigslist or at thrift shops... so you may want to check there before you start your shopping for parts, as it might save you the money and build time.

[Lady Hobbs]

It's called beverage tubing. You can order the pump and take it into Home Depot to make sure you get the proper sized hose to fit. I have read that the water bed pump isn't as good due to the amount of times the python pump is used compared to water bed pumps. How many times do you use a water bed pumps.......4-5 times maybe?

I also have the pump crack at the faucet connection and am currently on my second but we're talking 8 years now and the replacement is pretty cheap.....6-7 bucks. It does like to leak but I just toss a washrag over the faucet now to prevent "surprises".

What you could also do is get the 25ft python and go to Home Depot for an additional few feet of the beverage tubing but putting your own together would still be cheaper. I eliminated the shut off in the center of the hose, myself. Saw no need for it and it was just another connection for stuff to get stuck in.

[Ghpr13]

It's called beverage tubing. You can order the pump and take it into Home Depot to make sure you get the proper sized hose to fit. I have read that the water bed pump isn't as good due to the amount of times the python pump is used compared to water bed pumps. How many times do you use a water bed pumps.......4-5 times maybe?

I also have the pump crack at the faucet connection and am currently on my second but we're talking 8 years now and the replacement is pretty cheap.....6-7 bucks. It does like to leak but I just toss a washrag over the faucet now to prevent "surprises".

What you could also do is get the 25ft python and go to Home Depot for an additional few feet of the beverage tubing but putting your own together would still be cheaper. I eliminated the shut off in the center of the hose, myself. Saw no need for it and it was just another connection for stuff to get stuck in.

One reason to use a clear hose is that that way if you accidentally start to suck something up such as a fish or a fry (baby fish) you have a greater chance of seeing it and potentially save it.

Also, if your hose gets a clog someplace.. you can actually see the place the clog is at... which does help when you are trying to fix the problem.

On a not as related note... it seems that water changers do come up fairly often on craigslist or at thrift shops... so you may want to check there before you start your shopping for parts, as it might save you the money and build time.

Lady Hobbs & Trillianne,
I just noticed I never thank you both for your replies and I liked to do that now. I was admitted that evening to the hospital for pneumonia and it ended up a 4 week stay. Got out March 27.

Anyway, thank you both!
Ghpr13:)

[bignellm]

Nvr done a DIY on this, but own the Aqueon. What I like is the valve shutoffs built in, but with back pressure and the feel of the PVC used, I could foresee a blow off from the sink attachment, via broken faucet adapter. Is a solid piece though, got it for 35 in 25" from Petsolutions.com.

So, in a DIY, long as the adaptions and pieces are solid, real solid, the use of valves to divert and close off flows to and from faucet is awesome.