While I'm a fan of my Python, I'm not a fan of the faucet pump that comes with it, so I don't use it. If you do, you probably won't get this idea.
I use my Python to drain my tanks out into the yard then hook it up to the faucet to refill. This is a bit of a pain. Even if you do use the faucet pump, you still have to go to the faucet and turn the bottom to put it in fill mode.
My idea eliminates this step.
Parts:
Python or other gravel vac
hose that fits gravel vac (enough to go to faucet, to waste, and to gravel vac into tank(s)
1 pvc T
3 pvc ball valves
3 barb fittings that fit your gravel vac hose
3 stainless steel hose clamps to fit your hose
teflon tape
Get the threaded fittings
Apply teflon tape to threads.
Connect ball valves to the T.
Connect a barb fitting to each of the ball valves.
Connect the length of hose that connects to your faucet to the barb fitting on the leg of the T. Don't forget the hose clamp.
Connect the length of hose that goes to the outside or your drain for waste water to one of the top T parts. Don't forget the hose clamp.
Connect your gravel vac hose to the other top T part. Dont forget the hose clamp.
You're finished with assembly. Now, for operation instructions.
Close all the ball valves.
Put the gravel vac in your tank or in a bucket or on the floor. (Just somewhere you don't mind that gets wet in case you didn't close both the ball valves. Haha)
Put the end of the waste hose outside or in the drain. Your choice.
Connect the hose on the T leg to your faucet and turn the water on. (You need to be sure you know how far to turn the hot and cold to get the temp right before doing so.)
Go back to the T assembly.
Put your gravel vac in your tank.
To prime your siphon for draining, open the ball valve connected to the gravel vac and the one on the T leg slightly and the let the hose to your gravel vac fill up. Close the ball valve on the T leg.
To start siphoning/gravel vac, open the ball valve to the drain.
*** Bonus feature: No wrestling with the hose dunking it under water or sucking on the hose required to start the siphon!
When you're done with your gravel vac/draining, close the ball valve to the drain then open the valve on the leg of the T to start filling.
When you're done filling, close the ball valve connected to the gravel vac, close the ball valve on the T leg most of the way to allow pressure to escape, and go turn the water off.
Allow the pressure on the hose to go down then disconnect the hose from the faucet.
There you go.
I'll make one in the next couple days and take pictures. Thought I would share since I was trying to figure this out for my own use.
I use my Python to drain my tanks out into the yard then hook it up to the faucet to refill. This is a bit of a pain. Even if you do use the faucet pump, you still have to go to the faucet and turn the bottom to put it in fill mode.
My idea eliminates this step.
Parts:
Python or other gravel vac
hose that fits gravel vac (enough to go to faucet, to waste, and to gravel vac into tank(s)
1 pvc T
3 pvc ball valves
3 barb fittings that fit your gravel vac hose
3 stainless steel hose clamps to fit your hose
teflon tape
Get the threaded fittings
Apply teflon tape to threads.
Connect ball valves to the T.
Connect a barb fitting to each of the ball valves.
Connect the length of hose that connects to your faucet to the barb fitting on the leg of the T. Don't forget the hose clamp.
Connect the length of hose that goes to the outside or your drain for waste water to one of the top T parts. Don't forget the hose clamp.
Connect your gravel vac hose to the other top T part. Dont forget the hose clamp.
You're finished with assembly. Now, for operation instructions.
Close all the ball valves.
Put the gravel vac in your tank or in a bucket or on the floor. (Just somewhere you don't mind that gets wet in case you didn't close both the ball valves. Haha)
Put the end of the waste hose outside or in the drain. Your choice.
Connect the hose on the T leg to your faucet and turn the water on. (You need to be sure you know how far to turn the hot and cold to get the temp right before doing so.)
Go back to the T assembly.
Put your gravel vac in your tank.
To prime your siphon for draining, open the ball valve connected to the gravel vac and the one on the T leg slightly and the let the hose to your gravel vac fill up. Close the ball valve on the T leg.
To start siphoning/gravel vac, open the ball valve to the drain.
*** Bonus feature: No wrestling with the hose dunking it under water or sucking on the hose required to start the siphon!
When you're done with your gravel vac/draining, close the ball valve to the drain then open the valve on the leg of the T to start filling.
When you're done filling, close the ball valve connected to the gravel vac, close the ball valve on the T leg most of the way to allow pressure to escape, and go turn the water off.
Allow the pressure on the hose to go down then disconnect the hose from the faucet.
There you go.
I'll make one in the next couple days and take pictures. Thought I would share since I was trying to figure this out for my own use.
