Equipment Review and Discussion :: python and height levels

[scriabin]

I think I'm gonna buy a python system for cleaning, but I know with traditional syphoning, the aquarium has to be higher than the the place the water is being drained to - my turtle tank is on the floor under a window with shutters that open inward (bad design but what can I do?) that's literally the only place it fits in my apartment (it's very big and my room is very small) - will the python still work for me if the aquarium is on the floor?

Thanks!

Jonathan

[megcornell]

Yes. It uses water pressure from a faucet so you don't need to worry about the tank's height.

[Lnorigb]

it'll work fine and y'll not regret shelling (pun intended) out the dough for the python. it makes a chore downright easy, tho still a chore....

=)

~

[untsmurf]

I'm not a big fan of using the python to empty tanks. It takes a long time and wastes an entire tanks worth of water to empty your tank (if not more). We usually get tired of waiting for the python to finish and just do the old bucket method.

[Lnorigb]

I'm not a big fan of using the python to empty tanks. It takes a long time and wastes an entire tanks worth of water to empty your tank (if not more). We usually get tired of waiting for the python to finish and just do the old bucket method.

i found that for emptying it went much faster then the filling. maybe it has something to do with water pressure? dunno.

but for me the bucket method just makes SUCH a mess. drips everywhere...which gets me all paranoid about about germs! bacteria!! salmonella!!! oh my.

like anyone licks the floors anyway...

~

[scriabin]

...yeah, I live in a 125 square foot apartment and I only have one shallow sink, so the bucket method basically means salmonella in my shower.

I hate the idea of wasting all that water with the python, though ... is there a method for collecting it and using it for something else??

[steve]

I use the Python to drain the old fashioned way... straight out the door. The cut-off valve makes it easier to get the siphoning going as long as the exit point is at the lower elevation.

[Jimothy]

I find that I am using more than could possibly be reasonable amount of water to drain by faucet water pressure, it was easier to drain down to my bathroom tub drain. Out the door would work too except for cold weather. I am rather disapointed with how weak the suction is as well, heavier waste just stays in the tube portion.

[robind]

My aquarium is on the 2nd floor of my apartment, so when I'm doing water changes I just toss a hose out the window and use a powerhead to get the siphon started. That 15 foot drop creates a powerful siphon!

Also, note that the python no spill clean 'n fill does not use a siphon to empty the tank, rather the little green thing that screws onto the faucet is a venturi generator. It works by accelerating the water coming out of the faucet (using a nozzle) past the inlet for the hose, which creates a vacuum.

[Jimothy]

This is true, but if you turn the water off the drain slowly continues as a siphon, this is more of a start and go to sleep method, but it doesnt waste so much water.

2nd floor drop must make for a powerful siphon, I am stuck on the ground level
This leads to a big question though, you brought a 140g glass tank up to the 2nd floor!?
My 180g (6'x2') was nearly unmanagable through doorways!

[robind]

Jimothy: the drain will only continue as a siphon if the outlet of the little green thingy is lower than the water level of your tank.

And my '140g' tank is actually 2 tanks--a 100g and a 40g.

[PcBuilder14]

I just use a sump pump hooked up to a water hose and stick the pump in the tank and it sucks out 53 gallons of water in only about 2-3 minutes. To fill up the tank I just fill up my bathtub, and pump it into my tank.