General Care Discussion :: HELP!!! I can't get my Python to work!

[kgielda]

I'm going nuts here! I can get it to fill the tank, but can't get it to suction! I've read the instructions a thousand times!

I have everything attched, I twisted the nozzle to the down position to drain, I turned on the cold water (which just shoots out of the drainer???) had the nozzle in the open position...

It just won't suck!

Can someone clue me in here? Either post here or IM me at JTFL37 on AIM.

Thanks!!!
Kate

[Starchick]

What's the height of your tank versus the height of the sink? The only thing I can think of is that if the sink is higher it might not work well.

[kgielda]

Yea- the tube is dropping down out of the tank, laying on the floor and then up into the sink.

[kgielda]

Well I got it to slightly work. It's now sucking up the water, but not any of the gunk. Is the faucet supposed to be running? It said to turn on the cold water, full power- and it's still just draining out of the, well, drain. I feel like I'm wasting a ton of water. Is this how it's supposed to be?

[Bumby's Mom]

Turn on the hot and cold water, thats the only way it sucks good for me. And yes the water comes out the end so you are wasting a lot of water but it makes up for all the back pain if you were to do this with buckets.

[madmax1]

I use the python for water changes and my hose comes out of tank and runs along the floor and up to the sink but I have very good water pressure wich creates a better vacume .I have a deep slop sink which helps with water splashing.If you have a shallow sink like a reg kitchen sink you can cut down on water splashing by filling a large pot with water, and keep the pot under the spout, with spout in the water it will cut down on splashing . It is very important to have good water pressure, thats why some people use hot water with the cold water to create better water pressure for greater vacume and faster dranage..

[Rickiew04]

If your tank is too far below the sink, then the faucet doesn't create enough vaccum to pull the water upwards. The Python works best when the tank and sink are pretty close to being level.

For example: My tank is in the basement and my laundry tub is upstairs on the first floor. Silly me thought that the Python would work. The python didn't have a chance. The water doesn't create nearly enough pressure to pull the water all the way up the stairs into the laundry tub. What I did was I bought a pump that chucks up to a drill. I use the high velocity of the rotating drill to create the suction to get the water out of the tank.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Well I got it to slightly work. It's now sucking up the water, but not any of the gunk. Is the faucet supposed to be running? It said to turn on the cold water, full power- and it's still just draining out of the, well, drain. I feel like I'm wasting a ton of water. Is this how it's supposed to be?

Make sure you have the valve under the faucet COMPLETELY open (aka all the way DOWN). Newer pythons tend to be a bit sticky & the valve doesn't always turn easily or go down as much as it should. This was my experience when I first got mine. If you get the valve completely open, the tank will drain pretty fast.

[kgielda]

I was wondering about the valve. On the instructions, it looks like it drops down far- when I did mine, it only turned a little bit. I'll try harder next time.

Thanks!

[Rickiew04]

yea....it fooled me at first too. You gotta twist it and pull down until it pops down all the way.