Update: Poor Person's Python

[Mr. Gardener]

To whomever was asking me about building my own Python-like water
changer, there are one or two things I forgot to add. The Real Python
has a water shut off near the aquarium, which appears to be very
conveniently placed. In my first prototype, I added a similar shutoff,
but the back pressure seriously challenged the integrity of my sink
faucet to hose adapter, and fine jets of water began spraying from the
tap. So I removed the shutoff valve. You may have a better faucet
connection than me, so the shutoff might work for you. It's worth a
try. I also wanted to mention that when the completed device is in the
siphoning mode, the water coming from the faucet adds some oomph to
the rate of the siphoned water - but, a tremendous amount of tap water
is run directly down the drain, wasted, in order to increase this
syphon action. I've read the ratio of water wasted per water siphoned
and it was huge, 10 gallons to 1, or 100 to 1, I forget the numbers.
If the tank being drained is physically higher than the faucet end of
the unit, even if it's a hundred feet away, the water can drain into
the sink without the need of added running water, albeit the rate of
the siphon action is slower. Whether the concern is water conservation
or saving money on the water bill, or electric bill if you run a well
pump, I've found the slower action works pretty well, I'm still able
to vacuum the gravel of lighter detritus. For serious deep down
vacuuming, I turn the water on at the sink full blast, and turn it off
again once the vacuuming is complete. I only mention this because when
I first began changing water with this device I was puzzled over my
suddenly and significantly higher water bills. If you're only doing a
tank a month, it's no big deal, but if you're doing frequent changes
on multiple tanks, that water bill can be a big surprise.

-- Mr Gardener

[Koi-Lo]

"Mr. Gardener" > wrote in message
...
> To whomever was asking me about building my own Python-like water
> changer, there are one or two things I forgot to add. The Real Python
> has a water shut off near the aquarium, which appears to be very
> conveniently placed. In my first prototype, I added a similar shutoff,
> but the back pressure seriously challenged the integrity of my sink
> faucet to hose adapter, and fine jets of water began spraying from the
> tap. So I removed the shutoff valve. You may have a better faucet
> connection than me, so the shutoff might work for you. It's worth a
> try. I also wanted to mention that when the completed device is in the
> siphoning mode, the water coming from the faucet adds some oomph to
> the rate of the siphoned water - but, a tremendous amount of tap water
> is run directly down the drain, wasted, in order to increase this
> syphon action. I've read the ratio of water wasted per water siphoned
> and it was huge, 10 gallons to 1, or 100 to 1, I forget the numbers.
> If the tank being drained is physically higher than the faucet end of
> the unit, even if it's a hundred feet away, the water can drain into
> the sink without the need of added running water, albeit the rate of
> the siphon action is slower. Whether the concern is water conservation
> or saving money on the water bill, or electric bill if you run a well
> pump, I've found the slower action works pretty well, I'm still able
> to vacuum the gravel of lighter detritus. For serious deep down
> vacuuming, I turn the water on at the sink full blast, and turn it off
> again once the vacuuming is complete. I only mention this because when
> I first began changing water with this device I was puzzled over my
> suddenly and significantly higher water bills. If you're only doing a
> tank a month, it's no big deal, but if you're doing frequent changes
> on multiple tanks, that water bill can be a big surprise.
==============================
I have several gripes with the python. The waste of water is one of them.
Fortunately my tanks are within 25' of the side door so I siphon it right
outside. But that's not so great in the heat of summer or during freezing
snaps. Also the crappy adapter it came with split and sprayed water all
around my kitchen the second or third time I use it to fill my tanks. I
don't use it to fill my tanks anymore. Another is there is no way to hook
it onto the tank without cutting it and adding a U shaped gizmo from the
hardware store. All in all it's not worth the money in my opinion.

Koi-Lo.......

[Mr. Gardener]

On Sun, 26 Feb 2006 10:48:48 -0600, "Koi-Lo" >
wrote:

>
>"Mr. Gardener" > wrote in message
...
>> To whomever was asking me about building my own Python-like water
>> changer, there are one or two things I forgot to add. The Real Python
>> has a water shut off near the aquarium, which appears to be very
>> conveniently placed. In my first prototype, I added a similar shutoff,
>> but the back pressure seriously challenged the integrity of my sink
>> faucet to hose adapter, and fine jets of water began spraying from the
>> tap. So I removed the shutoff valve. You may have a better faucet
>> connection than me, so the shutoff might work for you. It's worth a
>> try. I also wanted to mention that when the completed device is in the
>> siphoning mode, the water coming from the faucet adds some oomph to
>> the rate of the siphoned water - but, a tremendous amount of tap water
>> is run directly down the drain, wasted, in order to increase this
>> syphon action. I've read the ratio of water wasted per water siphoned
>> and it was huge, 10 gallons to 1, or 100 to 1, I forget the numbers.
>> If the tank being drained is physically higher than the faucet end of
>> the unit, even if it's a hundred feet away, the water can drain into
>> the sink without the need of added running water, albeit the rate of
>> the siphon action is slower. Whether the concern is water conservation
>> or saving money on the water bill, or electric bill if you run a well
>> pump, I've found the slower action works pretty well, I'm still able
>> to vacuum the gravel of lighter detritus. For serious deep down
>> vacuuming, I turn the water on at the sink full blast, and turn it off
>> again once the vacuuming is complete. I only mention this because when
>> I first began changing water with this device I was puzzled over my
>> suddenly and significantly higher water bills. If you're only doing a
>> tank a month, it's no big deal, but if you're doing frequent changes
>> on multiple tanks, that water bill can be a big surprise.
>==============================
>I have several gripes with the python. The waste of water is one of them.
>Fortunately my tanks are within 25' of the side door so I siphon it right
>outside. But that's not so great in the heat of summer or during freezing
>snaps. Also the crappy adapter it came with split and sprayed water all
>around my kitchen the second or third time I use it to fill my tanks. I
>don't use it to fill my tanks anymore. Another is there is no way to hook
>it onto the tank without cutting it and adding a U shaped gizmo from the
>hardware store. All in all it's not worth the money in my opinion.
>
>Koi-Lo.......
>
Well then, I guess that's one more reason I like the imitation I built
for myself. I would have been disappointed if I had paid the big price
for the real version. I've never had the problem you mention about
hooking it onto a tank without cutting it, not sure what your're
talking about. In the past, I've relied on my wife to hold the vacuum
in place while I run and adjust the water flow, but she is no longer
able to do that, so I've gotten pretty good at propping it just so
while I run back and forth. Faucet adapters are less than a buck at
the hardware store, if yours failed. And I think I described a method
to siphon the water without wasting clean water. In the warmer months
I often siphon out a nearby window or into buckets because the water
is wonderful for my seedlings and flower beds.


-- Mr Gardener

[Koi-Lo]

"Mr. Gardener" > wrote in message
...
>>
> Well then, I guess that's one more reason I like the imitation I built
> for myself. I would have been disappointed if I had paid the big price
> for the real version. I've never had the problem you mention about
> hooking it onto a tank without cutting it, not sure what your're
> talking about.

Had I known beforehand I would have bought plain black hose at Home Depot
and made my own as well. One that has a U (like the Vortex and canister
filters have) to keep it in the tank. The python just goes over the rim and
can slide right out of the tank, which it did, and flooded my floor.
Fortunately the carpet was the type I could roll up, take outside and let
dry.

In the past, I've relied on my wife to hold the vacuum
> in place while I run and adjust the water flow, but she is no longer
> able to do that, so I've gotten pretty good at propping it just so
> while I run back and forth.

Get a U and hang it over the tank edge. Look at what keeps canister filter
hoses inside tanks. Any plumbing dept. would have something usable but you
have to cut the python hose to add them.

Faucet adapters are less than a buck at
> the hardware store, if yours failed.

Yes, I know I bought one at ACE Hardware. The problem there was dragging
25' of hose through a sunroom full of plants and furniture knocking over
lamps, the supply cabinet, plants......... it wasn't going to work for me.
So I use it to drain my tanks and fill them back up with a bucket. A real
PIA with the two 55gs.

And I think I described a method
> to siphon the water without wasting clean water.

I didn't waste water to siphon the tanks. I saw that as a problem from day
1 with this crappy python since we pay for our water here and we're on a
septic system. You notice they don't mention all the wasted water in their
slick adds.

In the warmer months
> I often siphon out a nearby window or into buckets because the water
> is wonderful for my seedlings and flower beds.

Some of my tank waste water is saved for the tropical houseplants, but
there's too much excess water so the rest goes into a flowerbed next to the
side door.

Koi-Lo.......

[Mr. Gardener]

On Sun, 26 Feb 2006 12:06:27 -0600, "Koi-Lo" >
wrote:

In essence, the Python water changing system doesn't work for Koi Lo,
her setup, her furnishings, her workflow. Dragging 25 or 50 feet of
hose around the house is not for everyone. It works for me. In the
summer I sometimes find it easier to siphon directly out a nearby
window with a plain siphon tube and fill the tank with a drinking
water safe garden hose as sold for recreational vehicle use. Some of
those new coiled hoses are drinking water safe, I use a couple in my
outdoor gardens, one of them might do the trick for aquariums. Lighter
weight, smaller diameter makes for better control of water force.
Whatever works.

-- Mr Gardener