Could someone explain to me exactly how to work a python cleaner or how it works??

I think I want to git one, but I dont know exactly what it does besudes make changing water easier.

it sucks the water / dirt / etc out of the water. i dont use python i use a long tube. so i just suck on the air, and the water will drain by gravity and pulling force -- and the water will come out of the tube.

I LOVE my python! It sucks out water and vacuums the gravel. Then it refills the tank with fresh water. It is MUCH easier than any other method of tank cleaning and refilling!

I love my python!

Basically, you hook one end to your faucet, set it to "drain", and turn on your faucet. It creates a suction which drains out the desired amount of water . You then set it to "fill" (a simple twist on the faucet connection), and fill the tank from the faucet through the same hose. You simply match water temp, and add your water treatment straight into the tank when you refill. When you want to clean your gravel, it comes with a gravel vac that hooks onto the end of the hose.

I do tons of water changes mainly because I have one, and it's so easy! I can clean my 55 gal quickly, and without mess or buckets.

Did I say I love my python??

Robin

I love mine too, it makes changing water sooooo easy... get one, you'll love it! I'm different wiht mine though. Instead of draining the water with the faucet (since then I have the water running and it costs money), I syphon my tank water out into the side yard where we have a drain by the driveway that the water goes down. Then I hook it back up and fill it!

oooh.....I wondered how it connected to the sink.....But if you put water straight from the sink, wouldnt it have cholrine, etc in it? So you just uput the de-clor in after your done filling it up??

Smack,

The python comes with all the connectors to hook it to your sink. I have my Declor ready, and add it to my tank when I first start to fill. Have never had a single problem.

errrika,

Once the water starts draining, can you just turn off the faucet? I don't know for sure.

Robin

When using a python to fill a tank, you need to add the dechlor when you start adding water. Also, when adding water directly to the tank, you need to dose the dechlor for the entire volume of the tank... not just for the amount of water you're changing out.

Okay, I've been reading this thread because I'm thinking of buying one and have the same question. So you add enough treatment for the whole tank instead of just the amount your replacing? The way I've been doing it is just treating the new water.

I use Prime as my water conditioner & I always treat the entire tank volume. I just add it to the stream as it enters the tank.

I my python!

Jenn

I have started using prime also. Okay, I have to get a python. I'm convinced.

My python came, but the extension hose thing hasnt come yet.....go figure. Apparently the kitchen sink is further than 50 feet away from my tanks.

I dont like prime...It killed all the snails in the tank I used it in.....

I looooooove my python, at least what Ive seen of it so far!

So I guess I better measure how far the sink from the tank.

I USED MY PYTHON TODAY!!!!
I absolutely Looooooooooooooooove it!!!!!1 I had my 40 done in aobut 10-15 min!!!!

I have seven tanks and I love my python, it really makes water changing alot easier. I always refill though with buckets, since I can't really control the temperature coming out of the tap, as well. I can get my tanks done in about an hour, which is soooo much easier. Be sure to wash the tubing out really well, or disinfect it with salt water, or mold will grow in the tubing. I lost my first python this way!!

I have long been considering one of these, but since I am forced to use RO water, I cannot refill with it. It could however stop the need to carry bucket after bucket of waste water to the sink. How long to the extension hoses go? I have tanks that are over 100 feet from a sink!

My big tanks are only about 20 feet away so maybe that is best anyway.

I bought a small water pump at a surplus shop and now just fill a big bucket on the floor in front of a tank and set the pump going. I can fill it with many small gallon buckets of water that I can lift. But it still is very very time consuming. I wish the Python did not need a faucet to work. Sigh.

I just purchased a python today from Drs. Foster & Smith. BTW they are having a sale on them.

While reading this thread it was said to put water conditioner for full volume of tank not just for volume being replaced. Why is that? I've always only put in water conditioner for water being replaced and never had a problem, Not using the python of course. Can someone please explain?

I think its just a safety thing... you know, make sure you dose for enough. Its always what I've been told to do. But I use a dechlor that is safe for majorly overdosing, safe for inverts, so I don't really have to worry about it. I'd be nervous about doing that with some of the other "conditioners" out there.

I want to buy a python but I am concerned about filling my tanks with it because of my ph. The ph out of my tap changes. It is usually 8.8 but here lately it has been off the chart. I use EasyBalance to bring it down. When it was 8.8 I had my dose figured out for a 2-1/2 gal. bucket that would bring it down to 7.6. But now the dose has changed because the ph has gone up so high.

I'm thinking it might not be safe for me to refill with the phyton since I have to check the ph and do adjustments on the EasyBalance so often.