DYI Pythons - Basic Questions

[nzafi]

There are lots of plans on there for creating a DYI python and it seems simple enough so I am going to undertake the task as I need a new one and I don't feel like spending the $40 on the ones that are sold. I want to try and make water changes as quick as possible so I was wondering if the diameter of the hose will make a big difference.

I have a dedicated area for my tanks that is about 15-20ft from a bathroom. I was going to use hose that is much shorter to reduce the travel distance of the water and I was going to use a larger diameter hose to try and get more water out at once. Will this even have a large impact though? I dont want to get a pump and I hate running the tap at the same time because it wastes water. Thoughts?

Also, I have two tanks next to each other (180g and a 75g) and was thinking of a adding a splitter so that I can do water changes at the same time. Is that possible?

 

[xraycer]

Yes, a larger diameter hose will result in greater water dispensing.......but, all the fittings/connectors will also have to be of a larger diameter as well to move a higher volume of water. So, a fitting/connector that has a 1" dia openening will dictate volume even though the hose diameter is 1.5". Also, a shorter hose should increase flow/speed somewhat just due to less friction

 

[nzafi]

I was hoping to use python piece that connects to the tap because i noticed that where the tubing connects is tapered so I figured it should be easy enough to connect a short garden hose. This way I can go wider. Need to take some measurements though.

There probably isn't a benefit to trying to syphon both tanks at the same time from a time efficiency stand point because only so much water can go through the piping as you mentioned.

 

[Pharaoh]

You will be limited in flow based on the smallest diameter within your hose setup. If you use Python parts, your setup really won't be any faster.