well i went and bought one of those pythons that hook to your sink. well, it says that you can use it to fill your tank too. my question is, how would you add the water conditioner so that the clorine and stuff wouldnt harm the fish?

You have to add the conditioner before you add new water. Remember to treat the whole tank as well, not just the new water. This is kinda stardard for python user.

Aren't Pythons wonderful!!!! I love mine. I even bought a cheap garden hose, $4.00, to make mine longer to reach the tropical tank I have furthest away from my sink. They are such a practical piece of tank equipment.

As far as the water conditioner, take out the desired amount of water for your change, do your scrubbing and cleaning and then put the water conditioner in before you start to refill.

Are you saying you should add enough decholor to treat the entire volumn of the tank?

Jim, that's the way they do it. Makes me nervous, adding chlorinated water even for a minute to my aquarium. I am sure it is fine. lots of people do it. I wonder how tough it is to guestimate water temp. for a very large water change? I am currently changing 100 gallons ata time - using 4 Rubbermaid trash barrels.

Do you know the reasoning? Aren't some dechlorinators are dangerous if you add too much?

I suppose I went about things in a backward fashion. First I had my pond. The guy who built it (an experienced koi keeper) told me that when I do water changes to drain, throw in enough sodium thiosulphate to handle the newly added water and refill. Then I got some smaller outdoor tanks and I used the same process to change water. Then I got my aquarium and did the same thing. The only thing I've modified is that I use Amquel instead of ST when doing large water changes.

So that brings me to my current regime on my aquarium. Every Monday, Wedneday and Friday I drain 40% of the water with my Python. Then I start filling very slowly from my tap (it usually takes a couple of hours to re-fill). I add the Amquel in four doses where the total amount is enough to handle the newly added water. I do have activated carbon in my filters which should remove chlorine/chloramines as well. I figure that is my safety net in case of a build up. As for temperature I only need to worry in the Winter when the water temperature from the tap is much lower than the aquarium. As I said, I re-fill very slowly. And I turn on a 400 watt heater to further buffer the temperature drop. I usually end up with about a one to two degree fahrenheit temperature drop over about one to two hours.

Is this a bad way to do it?

(I appreciate your honest replies. Don't worry about hurting my feelings if you disagree with my methods. I sincerely want to learn the best practices. )

Sorry for the late reply, I was out the whole morning. Here is what I do, after I take out the water, I add Prime to treat the whole tank. And I add warm water from tap(same temp as tank.)

ok good.
im sorry but just to be clear, i empty 15 gallons out of my 30 gallon. i add 30 gallons worth of treatment of prime right?

Yeap...

I see now.

ok

I second that! I always put in the amount of Prime for the whole tank. And I have been using a Python for quite awhile now & have had no adverse effects! I will never be without a Python as long as I have aquariums!!!

glad i came across this thread! i recently got a python, but i've only been putting in enough amquel+ and novaqua for the amount of water i took out.

if i put both in, can i split the amounts between the 2, or does each one need to be counted as it's own? example...if i changed my 20gallon, do i need to put 20 gal of novaqua and amquel....or can i just put 10 gal worth of novaqua and 10 gal worth of amquel+?
did that make sense?

As for using Amquel & Novaqua...I think they are similar products. My personal opinion is less is better. I use just what I need to keep my fish & water as good as I can get. I would pick one product that you feel is the best & use it regularly. I use Prime when I do water changes. I change 30 to 50% of my water every week & put in enough Prime to treat the entire amount of the tank.

I keep aquarium salt & Melafix for emergenies. That's it. Simple products & use only when needed.

I agree w/ Jeana. I will stick w/ either one, in my case I only use PRIME.

I agree, I love Prime! I haven't used anything else since I learned about it here!

good to know! thanks.

I love prime and my python, for me I can't ok I won't live without either!