Python problems!

[aquabee]

Hey all! HFB newb here. :) Am in the process of setting up a 125g/6ft frontosa tank. Almost cycled, getting my Mobas from Ron very soon!


Question-- I've got a 50 ft python (that thing that attaches to your faucet and drains water as well as fills water back into your tank), and the water just seems to trickle out really slowly. However I don't have that problem when filling the tank back up. Does this have to do with the length of the tubing? I made sure there were no air bubbles.

Thanks!

[cichlid1409]

your running the water when draining right? I have 50ft and never had a problem.

only other thing i can think is that something is clogging the faucet adapter and affecting water flow.

[aquabee]

Ha... haha. Oops. Didn't know you were sposed to run the water while draining! Why is that? I run the water until the siphon is created, then I turn it off and switch the valve.

[cichlid1409]

running the water creates suction. this is the great thing about a python you can syphon from a level lower that your sink; where a typical syphon is gravity fed (like turning off the water on your python) and can only syphon from a higher place to a lower place.

this is great for cleaning out wet-drys or sumps that are below the tank.

to siphon just open the valve, turn on the water and run it continuously.

[aquabee]

Brilliant.

Thanks!! This makes life way easier. For the record, if you turn the water off and try to siphon that way, it takes about 2-3 hours to drain 90% of a 125g.

[supadave]

running the water creates suction. this is the great thing about a python you can syphon from a level lower that your sink; where a typical syphon is gravity fed (like turning off the water on your python) and can only syphon from a higher place to a lower place.

this is great for cleaning out wet-drys or sumps that are below the tank.

to siphon just open the valve, turn on the water and run it continuously.

+1

You gotta have that faucet running .

[supadave]

Brilliant.

Thanks!! This makes life way easier. For the record, if you turn the water off and try to siphon that way, it takes about 2-3 hours to drain 90% of a 125g.

I always wondered that !! Never tried it...but I'll take your word for it .

[aquabee]

Ha! Btw, you wanna know how how long that last 10% takes? It takes forever! The siphon quits at 90% if you don't have the faucet on.

I've done like 3 90% water changes with the faucet off and a 50% today with the faucet off cuz I just got too tired. Then, I remembered I could ask you guys. Yay! Now just gotta wait for my ridiculous nitrites to turn that beautiful shade of baby blue on the test kit...

[supadave]

It's worth the wait . Just think about how great your tank is gonna look with those Mobas' .

[aquabee]

It's worth the wait . Just think about how great your tank is gonna look with those Mobas' .

It's killin me. I've waited nearly 8 years to be able to start a cichlid tank and almost a year to be able to have the setup required by those Mobas... and then finding Mike and Ron to help me start things up was like a miracle. And now you guys to help me with that damn siphoning... awesome. I frikkin CAN'T WAIT.