DIY Python Drain/Fill Valve

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J

john73738

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Nov 8, 2009
1,292
9
68
Las Vegas, NV
Recently my Drain/Fill valve for my python broke. So started this adventure.

I have been to many stores looking for a water bed drain/fill valve with no success. I dont want to spend $50 for a new python system, and I need to vac my 240 and drain my 55 and 75 so I can start 2 new threads. So here is my solution.

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Parts; (all 1/2")
(1) ball valve
(1) EL45
(1) TEE
(2) Female hose adapter
(1) Male Hose adapter
(1) Female fitting
(1) Male fitting
(3) 2" length pvc
(1) 1" length pvc

The results

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Works well, only thing is that it has to be primed unlike the the water bed style valve that will self prime. Once primed the suction is good, but will play with some other designs to perfect it. as of right now getting my tanks cleaned/drained.
 
You know you can just buy the attachment for $10, right?

Cool, nonetheless!
 
I did the same thing, mainly because the pythons are more expensive than I wanted to pay to go 50'. Instead of the method you went though, I went to an interior, normal threaded sink. I used the metal fittings to adjust up to a potable water-quality garden hose. It took two fittings to get it right, then I added a 'Y' fitting I wanted so that I could get the temp correct in the sink before sending it down the hose. I don't siphon to the sink, however, but rather just run that outside before hooking the hose to the sink for refill.
 
I find my python to be awesome.

I tried the diy route at first and it worked sufficiently, but I find the quality in the Python is top notch and "sucks" far more than my diy one ever did.

These days, I use all the hose and spare vacuum nozzles to drain the tanks...running hose outside to plants. I have a coffee, read mfk, come back in 45 minutes or so and break out the python to suck up whatever poop is still in the tank. Then I refill. My water changes take about 15 minutes of work...the rest is just waiting for them to drain and fill.

And the 450 has an automatic drip, so I hardly even have to touch that anymore.
 
Thanks all,

it does work sufficiently, however it could work better, Gonna work on that.


SpeshulEd;4407287; said:
You know you can just buy the attachment for $10, right?

Cool, nonetheless!
Click to expand...

If you can find one in this town :( .... I looked at several stores. Eventually I will change it to include a pump rather than the faucet power because I am going to build a cistern to hold the discard water to use for watering the plants.
 
The link to the Wiki Eductor explanation should have helped you...

The diameter of the section where your vac pickup has to be a little smaller that the rest of the piping, it makes the water flow faster through that section creating the suction. Also putting in a 'Y' instead of a 'T' angling it away from the incoming flow of water will help too.

I might have to do this to my front hose, just for water removal...I like it!
 
john73738;4409186; said:
Thanks all,

it does work sufficiently, however it could work better, Gonna work on that.




If you can find one in this town :( .... I looked at several stores. Eventually I will change it to include a pump rather than the faucet power because I am going to build a cistern to hold the discard water to use for watering the plants.
Click to expand...

I think they sell them at Petco. I ordered mine online along with a bunch of food so I got free shipping.

Needless to say, but yours is probably 5000x more durable.
 
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