Actually you don’t really need a faucet to start the python. Just close the ballvalve, fill the siphon and proximal tube with water, open the valve to start suction by gravity. I usually run the hose into a small bucket in laundry sink just in case anything eg sand, snails, fish , etc. accidentally get taken out… saves clogged sinks and dead pets.
I used to have a python hose in my freshwater days and got another one Makes life a lot easier. The Sicce ultra zero pump I’ve had for the past three months and that thing is really handy. It’s great not having to haul buckets anymore. 😁
If you don't have a sink to use on the floor below, I find the siphon created by the python to be less than optimal. I typically find it easier use two rubbermaid container of similar size. I siphon the tank water into one bucket, fill the tank with the ultra zero, and then use the ultra zero to transfer the waste water into a sink or toilet or drain. The advantage is that you can remove the same amount of water from the tank as you have waiting to put into the tank, and you waste much less water. If you use RODI any chance to waste less water should be taken advantage of, even if it requires a bit of work.
Sounds great not to have to carry heavy buckets of water, especially up those stairs! Considering an AWC due to some low back issues and an upgrade to a 75-gallon reef.
I just use old dosing pumps, 2.5 litres a day on my 300 litre tank. Works perfect. I check salinity once a week and all good. No heating or cooling shocks,
Ive done vacuum cleaning the sand exactly one time, because after it, THE worst red cyano probs ever...no idea how other ppls manage to do that without any probs...for me bare bottom is the way ✌
Love your channel and skills! Big question, my new tank is almost 3 months old and i try to vacuum cyano and other nasty stuff from new tanks from the sand-bed and my python lifts it, stirs it, and most falls back down. I tried a turkey baster on the hose and it plugs up. What is the best practice for this??? Thank you
Take the Tube off the end and use just the hose to suck directly. it will have more power to suck stuff off.. just watch out not to suck out all your sand.
I hope you're not wasting clean water coming out from the tap while siphoning water from your tank. Make sure to save that tap water into the water drum for future use. 😅
Sump under display? Just syphon your sand bed right into your filter socks below ....the water is clean and returning right back into the display.... It doesn't get easier.... Change/clean socks afterwards.... My water change comes while purging the reactors .....
Am I missing something here, if you are not using the python to refill your tank, how is it different from just using a long hose to siphon out your water? You could even use your utility pump to drain the tank super quickly.
You can use any pump that threaded. I picked that one as it sucks from the very bottom where most other pumps will leave you with a few inches of water in the bottom.
I put a powerhead in the bucket and sump some in. .. let it mix for a bit dump some more in and repeat until i get 35ppt.. I kinda do the same thing with all salts.
it can be a bit of a pain to start (prime it) but once its primmed it works very well. I still use it once ina while, depending on what im up to. (using a smaller tube would have made it way easier to prime for v2) Depends if im just cleaning the sandbed or if i actually want to exchange water or well. good to have multiple tools :)
@@318android3 more suction could help. Or a smaller tube. I Jsut pre filled the tube and let it go down to push the air out. Bit of a pain with big tube but worked. Once the air is out it works very well.
@@ReefDudes you know what I just thought of why it was hard to prime the line? I think it was because there was no check valve. Most of the gravel vacs have a small flap to prevent water from siphoning back into tank.
That thing is awesome! im going to get the 10' extension hose, another ball valve next order and leave it perma hooked upto the sicce.. no more swapping hoses!
@@ReefDudes that’s exactly what I did. One set up for water in one for water out. Although I also have the awc set up now and don’t use it as much when I was life was easy
I use to work at a fish store. To this day, the python is the worst invention ever created. You waste more water than what you take out. They should have a secondary valve so you can turn off the tap once the syphone starts.
Sicce = Sea + chay. Good video. 👍👍👍
Never gonna happen, he's set in his ways lol.
I can live with this pronunciation, the Pico one on RNN kills me however.
I have been using this method since I started my hobby. Super easy water changes!
Python is the best way to do manual water changes. I have been using them for years
100% no idea why i waited so long to get one!
Actually you don’t really need a faucet to start the python. Just close the ballvalve, fill the siphon and proximal tube with water, open the valve to start suction by gravity. I usually run the hose into a small bucket in laundry sink just in case anything eg sand, snails, fish , etc. accidentally get taken out… saves clogged sinks and dead pets.
Good call! direct to batthub or shower drain would work well too
and save water!!
That is an excellent idea on the bucket.
Been using my python since my freshwater days. Good stuff!
Awesome! good to find a perfect use for the salty side as well! :)
I have that "set" and I love it. Works well for salt and fresh water tanks.
Awesome!!
Mine comes in the mail today!
I used to have a python hose in my freshwater days and got another one Makes life a lot easier. The Sicce ultra zero pump I’ve had for the past three months and that thing is really handy. It’s great not having to haul buckets anymore. 😁
Not hauling buckets is the best part!
@@ReefDudes for sure 👍
I have been doing this for years it works great
Heck yes!
@@ReefDudes I wish I would have known about it for the first few years I was in the hobby though, carrying buckets is not very fun.
@@truereefkeeping6022 100% agree! i wish i had it years and years ago!
Great stuff
Great video
I have a pair of blue diamond gobies hands down my favorite sand sifters , my sand bed is literally spotlesss
Good stuff.
My favorite combo. I use the same method 💪
Awesome!
If you don't have a sink to use on the floor below, I find the siphon created by the python to be less than optimal. I typically find it easier use two rubbermaid container of similar size. I siphon the tank water into one bucket, fill the tank with the ultra zero, and then use the ultra zero to transfer the waste water into a sink or toilet or drain. The advantage is that you can remove the same amount of water from the tank as you have waiting to put into the tank, and you waste much less water. If you use RODI any chance to waste less water should be taken advantage of, even if it requires a bit of work.
On a side pro tip.. if you live somewhere warmer collect your rodi waste wate rand use it for the garden/lawn/plants ect :)
Sounds great not to have to carry heavy buckets of water, especially up those stairs! Considering an AWC due to some low back issues and an upgrade to a 75-gallon reef.
Your video was exactly what I needed to know. I dont want to be hauling buckets of water around.
I just use old dosing pumps, 2.5 litres a day on my 300 litre tank. Works perfect. I check salinity once a week and all good. No heating or cooling shocks,
I have the same setup for cleaning my sandbed. I glued a ¾" pvc tee on the output end of my hook and the water won't hit the sandbed and stir it up.
Solid! I was actually worried about that but on my 24”
Deep tank it didn’t seem to affect the sand bed
Just a thought would a sand star clean the sand bed so you wouldn’t have to ever do that?
if you didnt want to siphon the sand, could you use the sicce pump to pull water from the tank and also pump water back in the tank?
Set the hose in a tub or shower with a weight holding the hose. Most modern age sinks don’t have screw threads
Was crazy that none of my upstairs sinks had threads!
I got the same.
Use a mirror and check those faucets sometimes the thread are only available when u pull screen out and they can be counter sunk into faucets
None of my upstairs faucets had threads! i was like wtf as im filming lol ... thankfully one downstairs did.
Ive done vacuum cleaning the sand exactly one time, because after it, THE worst red cyano probs ever...no idea how other ppls manage to do that without any probs...for me bare bottom is the way ✌
I love the look of sand! Im going to try and vaccume every few months as preventative and to keep that sand nice and white!
Love my Python. Grab the longer tube and you won't even have to get your hand wet. 😀
hehe I think i will next order! that and the "extension hose" to hook up to the sicce and the fill hook.. so i dont even have to swap connections :P
Does the pump make a noise or quiet quiet I just bought it and idk if it sounds correct
Love your channel and skills! Big question, my new tank is almost 3 months old and i try to vacuum cyano and other nasty stuff from new tanks from the sand-bed and my python lifts it, stirs it, and most falls back down. I tried a turkey baster on the hose and it plugs up. What is the best practice for this??? Thank you
Take the Tube off the end and use just the hose to suck directly. it will have more power to suck stuff off.. just watch out not to suck out all your sand.
@@ReefDudes exactly why is was worried about doing that. Yeah i will try and just throttle down the valve to help reduce loss. Thanks bud!
I hope you're not wasting clean water coming out from the tap while siphoning water from your tank. Make sure to save that tap water into the water drum for future use. 😅
Sump under display?
Just syphon your sand bed right into your filter socks below ....the water is clean and returning right back into the display....
It doesn't get easier....
Change/clean socks afterwards....
My water change comes while purging the reactors .....
I actually made a continuous one with a filter in the past!
Am I missing something here, if you are not using the python to refill your tank, how is it different from just using a long hose to siphon out your water? You could even use your utility pump to drain the tank super quickly.
is there a cheaper option than the sicce ?? i dont wanna spend that much for a pump for water changes
You can use any pump that threaded. I picked that one as it sucks from the very bottom where most other pumps will leave you with a few inches of water in the bottom.
Awesome video brother.. what kind salt are u using??
Using brightwell neomarine
@reef dudes so you have to keep the sink running to keep the siphon going?
Really jsut to start it. Could turn it off once it starts (assuming the drain is lower than the tank) gravity should do the rest
@@ReefDudes ok thank you for the reply
My buddy was telling me brightwell salt should be mixed gradually, any idea if that helps keep the alk up?
I put a powerhead in the bucket and sump some in. .. let it mix for a bit dump some more in and repeat until i get 35ppt.. I kinda do the same thing with all salts.
@@ReefDudes I've been doing it wrong lol
After not doing a sandbed clean for a while, did you shock your tank?
you certainly could. depends how much of it you do.
You still have to have your salt buckets and probably multiple buckets for every change. so I don’t quite see how this is helping a whole lot.
Did the RO canister deluxe You made work or didn’t work and thus salvaged it for parts?
it can be a bit of a pain to start (prime it) but once its primmed it works very well. I still use it once ina while, depending on what im up to. (using a smaller tube would have made it way easier to prime for v2) Depends if im just cleaning the sandbed or if i actually want to exchange water or well. good to have multiple tools :)
@@ReefDudes do you think maybe the sicce 1.0 would of helped with this?
@@318android3 more suction could help. Or a smaller tube. I Jsut pre filled the tube and let it go down to push the air out. Bit of a pain with big tube but worked. Once the air is out it works very well.
@@ReefDudes you know what I just thought of why it was hard to prime the line? I think it was because there was no check valve. Most of the gravel vacs have a small flap to prevent water from siphoning back into tank.
The python j hook is a winner
That thing is awesome! im going to get the 10' extension hose, another ball valve next order and leave it perma hooked upto the sicce.. no more swapping hoses!
@@ReefDudes that’s exactly what I did. One set up for water in one for water out. Although I also have the awc set up now and don’t use it as much when I was life was easy
See Chay
Best solution: go bare bottom, siphone detritus very easy
What is “ultimate” about this?
Zero hauling buckets of water. Aka zero changes to spill.
I use to work at a fish store. To this day, the python is the worst invention ever created. You waste more water than what you take out. They should have a secondary valve so you can turn off the tap once the syphone starts.
You can always shut the valve to hold water in the turn off the top and let gravity do the rest.. one extra step but its an easy fix.