Python?

[Katy]

Does anyone use a Python for filling as well as for gravel cleaning? Is it possible to do that safely? We have our own well, no chlorine/chloramine, and the basic parameters are the same as our tanks, although as we are adding peat to the filters this will change. I do worry about using water from the hot water tap, though, and water that is not out-gassed.

Any thoughts? It sure would make water changes easier! We currently heat the out-gassed water 2 gallons at a time over the wood-stove.

[Diana]

If you are doing smaller water changes then a change in temperature is less of a problem. Net change to the tank of 1-2*F is well tolerated by most fish.
However, gas dissolved in the water is still a concern.

I do not do direct water changes for the reason of gas in the water. I lost several fish to that a couple of winters ago. Now I run refill water into a garbage can and circulate it for at least half an hour with a strong pump. If it is water for a tank that needs some chemical adjustment I can run it longer, for example running it overnight with a bag of peat moss in the can, or I can add minerals for the hard water tanks and know they are fully dissolved when I am ready to do a water change.

[Eyrie]

I find the python makes water changes on my 400L and 240L much easier. I make sure I don't change too much at once to avoid a sudden change in temperature and add the dechlorinator directly to the tank next to the python.

Other advantage is that whilst it's doing the heavy lifting for me I can use a bucket for my smaller tanks, which halves the time I need to spend on maintenance.

[NancyD]

I have a Python & like it although it wasn't the miracle I was hoping for. My water pressure isn't high enough to suck very hard so I move the sink attachment end to a bathtub after the syphon is started. Then I reattach it to refill. Some people throw the end out the window but it's too cold here.

I'm lucky in that my tap water is stable, no pH change after 24-48 hours. I can add Prime dechlor to each tank as I add water.

I need a 50' hose & it's a bit of a PITA, I sometimes just leave it in the "fish tub" for next time. And I don't bother with it for daily discus WCs all the time unless I'm doing more than 1 tank.

I vac up plant debris that gets stuck at the attachment end & have to pick it out or it'll go back into the tank.

It takes some practice to move it from tank to tank without losing the syphon, low tanks especially. And be careful, not to use it for your quarantine tank, it's easy to spread disease without thinking about it.