how to increase python no spilll suction

[doughboy]

I recently got a 25' python no spill (actually I got the lee ultimate
gravel vac) because I read so many good reviews about it. Then I found
out its suction is very weak, even with both hot and cold water turned
all the way up (hence wasting a lot of water). I suspect maybe the
sink faucet height is causing the problem. There seems to be no other
option than for me to get a 50' hose and try it on the backyard faucet
which is much lower. I wonder if I just got a bad unit or this is
just really how it works.

[Mister Gardener]

doughboy wrote:

  I wonder if I just got a bad unit or this is
just really how it works.


  

The lower your faucet and discharge, the more suction your python will create. Pythons don't defy gravity, they only boost it. If the tanks are near the same height as the faucet, the siphon depends almost completely on the drain & fill device attached to the tap. In the best of situations, pythons waste between 7 and 10 gallons of fresh tap water for each gallon removed from your aquarium. If your outdoor tap is convenient, then that's the way to go, except outdoor taps usually only offer cold water. I've considered putting together a rig which would allow me to attach my python to my bathtub faucet which is much lower than my kitchen sink; when I finally get around to it, there are plenty of clever people here to help me put it together. In order to save wasting water, I turn off the tap once the siphon is established from the tank. I still have to turn on the wasteful tap when I want to do deep gravel cleaning. There has been quite a bit written about these devices on TFA - a search on Python might lead you to some of these discussions. Used intelligently, Pythons and their clones are great tools, and used thoughtlessly, they can be a tremendous waste of water, one of our most precious natural resources.

MG

[doughboy]

My sink faucet is slightly lower than the aquarium bottom since water
still flows even with the faucet turned off. I was thinking the
venturi effect will help push the water out to the sink increasing the
suction pressure, But apparently, the suction I am getting is not high
enough. I think for draining water bed purposes, this is more than
sufficient, but certainly not for gravel vacuuming.

If your estimate of wasted water range is 7 to 1, then the pressure
differential should be according to venturi formula about 24 times. I
don't think a regular siphon has that much suction pressure but seem
to work better sucking out debris. Before I go buy a 50' hose, I'll
test it in the backyard faucet on a bucket of water to see if I get
get a stronger suction. If not, then I may have a bad unit.

BTW, I did search the group for python before I made the purchase and
that is where I got the idea it is such a great product. ;^)


On Nov 21, 5:25 am, Mister Gardener <mistergarde...@email.toast.net>
wrote:

[NetMax]

Normal municipal water pressure is enough to gravel vacuum to a sink
which is at tank height. This is how stores do it, and we have tanks
at 3 heights (1 row above sink-height, 1 row below sink height). We
use standard Pythons but replace the faucet fittings regularly from
usage. I suspect there is either something wrong with your fitting or
your water pressure is low (well pump?).
~~

> > for each gallon removed from your aquarium. If your outdoor tap is- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Donna Camp]

Could it be the height that the water has to flow down that makes the
difference? I've never had to use a sink to get the python to empty a tank.
I empty my tanks out a door or into the bathtub - both of which are lower
than my tanks. I have had to move tubing around when it sits level for more
than a couple of inches.

Donna

[NetMax]

I don't think so, because the end of the Python's spigot would be the
opening's height which will basically always be about 30" off the
ground. I'm like you though, I siphon water & gravel vacuum my tanks
through a 5/8" garden hose whose opening is one floor below, in a
laundry sink. This is more economical than using a Python. You can
achieve the same effect by installing the Python on a floor below the
tanks, but then you don't need a Python ;~)
~~

> >> - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

[Mister Gardener]

Donna Camp wrote:

Could it be the height that the water has to flow down that makes the difference? I've never had to use a sink to get the python to empty a tank. I empty my tanks out a door or into the bathtub - both of which are lower than my tanks. I have had to move tubing around when it sits level for more than a couple of inches.

What's the point of owning a python if you don't use the venturi to up the suction power for gravel cleaning? An ordinary hose and gravel tube would do the same. I only use the python when I'm cleaning gravel, once or twice a month. I use an ordinary 3/4 i.d. hose for my daily water changes.

MG

[NetMax]

The application is for where the sink (drain point) is at or close to
the height of the waterline, such that the suction is insufficient for
gravel vacuuming. If the drain is much higher than the tanks, we
generally try to discourage customers from buying the Python as the
efficiency is poor (too much wasted water). If the drain is much
lower than the tanks, then you don't need the Python.

I suppose you could think of the Python as a turbo-boost for same
level or lower sink applications. When I want more suction, I use a
longer hose ... water changes were easy when I used a 3rd floor window
with a hose down to the garden ;~)
~~

On Nov 21, 4:25 pm, Mister Gardener <mistergarde...@email.toast.net>
wrote:

[Mister Gardener]

NetMax wrote:

I suppose you could think of the Python as a turbo-boost for same
level or lower sink applications.  When I want more suction, I use a
longer hose ... water changes were easy when I used a 3rd floor window
with a hose down to the garden ;~)

I use a drain hose with a 3/4 inch lumen these days. Man, you wanna talk about SUCTION POWER! I've gotten pretty good at siphoning out a tank with a hundred pea sized babies without sending a single baby through the water slide to the strawberry garden. When I drain my upstairs tanks out the window, my Golden Retriever, Rufus, loves to dance around in the falling water below. Regardless of the weather. Missus Gardener tells me to make sure he's not outside when I'm doing the upstairs tanks, but I keep forgetting. Heehee.

MG

[Donna Camp]

I guess I've never used it really as a python, guess I've used it as a siphon. It was given to me when we bought the 55 gal tank. It's long enough to reach the bathtub, out the backdoor etc and it sure beats buckets! I gravel clean often, but, not every time I do a water change.

 

Donna

----- Original Message -----

From: Mister Gardener

To: The-Freshwa...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 4:25 PM

Subject: [TFA] Re: how to increase python no spilll suction

[videoman]

Bottom posted.

I use my python to start a siphon when I drain water to outside. I use
a 100 foot plus hose in/on my python and the suction seems to be fine.
The real redeeming saving grace of the python is that you don't HAVE
to waste water under normal conditions because you can just start the
siphon and shut the faucet off and let it work. BUT some extreme
conditions prohibit that, a usually you can work around it though
unless you have a picky landlord or something like that. Good luck all
and later!

[Archangel]

I use mine on the shower head. Works great.

----- Original Message ----
From: doughboy <j3r...@gmail.com>
To: The Freshwater Aquarium <The-Freshwa...@googlegroups.com>

Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2007 9:37:44 PM
Subject: [TFA] how to increase python no spilll suction


I recently got a 25' python no spill (actually I got the lee ultimate
gravel vac) because I read so many good reviews about it. Then I found
out its suction is very weak, even with both hot and cold water turned
all the way up (hence wasting a lot of water). I suspect maybe the
sink faucet height is causing the problem. There seems to be no other
option than for me to get a 50' hose and try it on the backyard faucet

which is much lower.  I wonder if I just got a bad unit or this is

[Mister Gardener]

videoman wrote:

The real redeeming saving grace of the python is that you don't HAVE
to waste water under normal conditions because you can just start the
siphon and shut the faucet off and let it work. 

I don't recall ever seeing the literature that is packaged with Pythons, I built my own so it came with no directions. Does the manufacturer address the potential water wasting factor in their directions? Do they offer water saving suggestions?

MG

[videoman]

Bottom posted.

On Nov 22, 4:37 am, Mister Gardener <mistergarde...@email.toast.net>
wrote:

Not from what I remember. From what I remember the "python" brand
product is pretty skimpy on documentation and from what I remember
there is no mention of saving water or the effects of wasting water.
This little documentation I got was actually from a long time ago
though right before the major draughts in my area and probably most
areas in the us (probably as far back as me purchasing it in 1990 or
1991 and not really using it until a few years ago when I really
started back up in this hobby) so now that there are problem droughts
in a lot of areas in the us (and I think the "python" brand products
are made in the usa even still) the documentation might now address
that newly. Good luck all and later!