python clean n fill

orb4me · 02-22-2008, 08:28 AM

I fell the other day carryng an almost empty 10 gal, so now I have more problems carrying water. Hence....new question.

Catalog says, clean n fill comes completely assembled and ready to use. Includes gravel tube, flow switch, hose and connectors, faucet pump and faucet adapter. I cant find any sites that explains this to me.

How does the tank water come back to the sink? The catalog says faucet pump, when connected to faucet does that create a suction when faucet is turned on?

A safe number would be 40 feet from sink to tank. A 20% w/c will soon be 20% of 95 gal. 10/30/55 gal tanks.

Is the gravel tube what cleans the gravel?

I have been using a cheap self suction gravel cleaner, but i can no longer carry the water back and forth from the sink, not to mention trying to start a suction for 40 feet.

bisbrandt · 02-22-2008, 10:16 AM

Have you considered a water pump, similar to those used for outdoor ponds? Likely out of season at Home Depot and other locations, so might not have a model with strong enough suction in stock, but you should be able to find one online. Then it's just a matter of picking up the right length tubing.

Just an alternative to the python, of course.

RustyNut · 02-22-2008, 04:57 PM

The Python "water pump" is a venturi based pump that causes suction on the connecting "Tee" line which is connected to the gravel washer.

This means you have to run the faucet to create the suction to drain the tank.... IF the faucet is lower than the tank you can then turn the water off and it should just siphon out, but if the faucet is higher then you must run the water the entire time.

Tommy Gun · 02-22-2008, 05:12 PM

Even still, the faucet means you can remove water faster than a gravity fed siphon and is, IMHO, the perfect water change tool since a flick of the wrist means the tank is filling back up. The dechlorinator chemicals we use are pretty close to an instant fix IME and I have been refilling my tanks directly from my faucet for years now (obviously FW tanks only though).

I do agree that the 'bucket brigade' option totally stinks, even for younger guys like me.

orb4me · 02-23-2008, 12:39 PM

Bis, Tommy, Rusty and HLS, thank you so much. Ive been fighting this issue with myself for weeks now. I was not sure about the chlorine, water temp change or how the whole deal works. Ive been looking at 2 fish tanks that need w/c's, but i just cant do it. water perams are good, so it can wait a few days, Im going to order the pump. fast delivery and cheapest

Im one happy camper, well....till next issue comes up

E46er · 02-23-2008, 10:48 PM

def a good idea i love mine its SO convienent

Ruadh · 02-23-2008, 11:07 PM

Another little advantage, you can set the water temp before you send it to the tank if you've got a thermometer.
I just hold it in the water stream and adjust the hot water till I've got within a couple of degrees of 78 and away I go.

Rick

orb4me · 02-24-2008, 05:31 PM

wheeee, did a w/c, all done

cichlidgirl · 02-24-2008, 11:14 PM

They are nice, i love mine, i still have to fill buckets to add water in (I have high sulfur and need to let my water bubble away for a couple hours, its still easier to fill the buckets compared to how i used to do it) but its super nice for cleaning the tank.