If you use a Python Water Change system, then I have a question for you..

[Chub_by]

I don't bother with python. For people who have fx5 or eheim 2260/2, all you need to do is hook up a tube to the back flush port and let the water out that way, mine does to the yard directly...I then use a garden hose to fill it up.

That's a very practical way, especially since it also cleans the filter at the same time.

I don't mind carrying buckets, but my tap water runs out so slow it's very annoying, so a python would be better for me I'll look into it. Thankfully I don't have to worry about dechlorinating.


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[Anchovie]

I have well water so I don't have to worry about dechlorinating but the python is still too slow for drainage IMO. It can also fill up your septic tank fast too. I have a 1000 gallon septic tank, and close to 1000 gallons of tankspace. So a 50% water change on everything is obviously not going to work with a python system.


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[Anchovie]

I will add that I'm sure I have an insane colony of bb in my septic tank though lol.


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[KrazEDesigns]

Interesting responses in here...

I have had the same python for 10 years now, it's 25ft in length and it has never broken, fallen apart, or failed in anyway.

That being said, if you need a lot of suction, you would have to hook it up to your sink and crank up the taps; if you are doing regular maintenance and not over feeding your fish, the actual time you need to clean out debris should be minimal. Once the debris is cleared, you can turn off the taps and the remaining water for your water change will empty just fine.

As to the refill - my tank is a 75g, and I usually change out 50% every 3 to 4 days, so I add 1 cap of Prime on the side that the fish are not on (they don't like the python, so they stay away from it) and then start re-adding tap water to the tank. I use the shut off feature on my Python to control this - set the temp of the water, then turn the shut off knob on the python to close it, then add prime, and open the valve to start the water.

In my honest opinion, some people worry far too much about how to use dechlorinator, how much to use, how to re-add water to the tank, aging water, and so-on. Most fish are pretty hardy, and as long as you don't cause a big temp fluctuation, big PH change suddenly, or keep rinsing all your filter media in tap water so your tank is forever cycling (I have read that too many times here now, if you're doing that, STOP IT!).

I have been keeping fish for almost 15 years now - Discus, catfish, plecos, livebearers, tropical, yadda yadda yadda, but I toned the very expensive hobby down to just my 75g with goldfish.

And just to note something as well... I'm not posting for the fun of it, nor am I 'talking out of my ***' (I didn't have beans either), but the tank I did scale down to contains a fish that is nearing 9 years old, with the other two coming up to 7 years old; I have had them since they were tiny babies. They have never been sick, I have never purchased medicine for them, and the last time I used aquarium salt in my tank was just over 4 years ago when I moved 45 mins and it was added at 0.1% to avoid stress from the move.

Anyway, everyone has a different view of what works for their fish, and what doesn't, but no-one is perfect. Everyone wants what is best for the health of their fish, so rather than tell someone they are doing their water changes incorrectly in a demeaning way, educate them about why most every hobbyist recommends a certain method.


/soapbox off

 

[fishfanatic46]

Would be lost without my python, I have a hand pump to start the suction then just let gravity take over and let it drain into the bathtub. I then treat the whole tank with Big Als water conditioner as I'm refilling from the tap, I've never has an issue in 10 yrs. I also leave my canister running unless I'm going to clean it aswel


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[Sizzlahr]

I have a python . Honestly I don't even use dechlorinator everytime. I do a 20% every week.. I guess my tank is established enough to handle it. Also my water might be pretty good? I haven't lost any fish during a change ... Knock on wood.. But to answer your question. The python is a great tool.. I agree with another MFKer .. The plastic is cheap. Maybe you shoul try the aqueon or better quality, but over all it kills the syphon and bucket BS


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[majorhavok]

Prepare for massive increases in your water bill. For a fast syphon you need to keep your sink running the whole time you're draining, and to do a 50% water change just on a 75 gallon, you basically just used a showers worth of water. Add multiple monster tanks and it will add up. Best way for sure is to drain the tank another way and fill it back up with python. You can simply put a 10$ sump pump from home depot in there and aim the garden hose out the window


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I can see there would be some cases you have to keep the water running, but that's not a requirement for most. I use it to start the siphon and then turn it off.

 

[supergourami]

i just blast in 50% of the water then add dechlo after

 

[vanman]

It depends on the amount of chlorine and/or chloramines in the water. Fortunately we have none of the later as the chloramines is much more dangerous for the fish. You do have to add enough for the entire tank as it works PPM total volume not just the volume added. I don't use the faucet apparatus rather I get a 5/8 faucet thread by hose thread adapter or and 1/2id thread pipe and add a hose adapter to that, depending on the faucet type. I drain my tanks with a long enough hose to make it to the outside. Then I use another hose to fill the tanks directly from the faucet going through a pipe filter from Home Depot with a charcoal filter in it to remove the chlorine and chloramines. If I am in a hurry I attach a pump to the out going hose and pump the water out. It all makes my life very easy. I never lift water ever for cleaning. I by all the fitting from Homedepot and I by the Silicone hose from the LFS and I have bought it from Big Als.

 

[PDRed302]

Since purchasing my Aqueon water changer (same as the python as mentioned previously) tank maintenance has become 100x easier. I really couldn't imagine going back to my five gallon buckets.

The process is simple:

Hook the hose up to the sink and throw the gravel vac in the tank. I usually run the water in my sink for the added suction for the first part of my water change and once I've given the gravel a good once over I turn off my sink and let the tank drain to the desired level. After I'm done draining I just match the water temp from my sink by hand and fill her back up. I add prime (about to switch to safe for the cost savings) for the entire tank volume right when I begin to refill. Clean up is simple as it only requires me to loop up the hose and throw it in one of my old five gallon buckets.

Honestly if I had to go back to buckets then I wouldn't keep as large of a tank/tanks I keep now; its just too much of a hassle. Lets also not forget how long the bucket method takes; where as with my Aqueon I'm done with my 30%-50% water change, gravel vac, tank wipe down, etc on my large display tank in about an hour to and hour and a half.

Other than a drip system, I cant think of an easier way to water change. A lot of people frown on the whole: "add prime for entire tank volume" thing but the way I see it, its not too bad. Sure I have to pay a few extra cents per water change but its more than worth it. My back and my time are worth way more than the added cost of prime/safe/whatever you use.