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When I initially purchased my 55 gal tank and got into fishkeeping - the first of this year - I also purchased a Python Vac.... Now while my husband and I have used it for vac and fill --- the filling is done in a round about way.... Rather than having the water go directly into the tank, we fill a very large plastic container tub (and yes, we only use this for our fishkeeping purposes) treat the water to get the chlorine out and then refill the actual tank by using a bucket (again, only used for fishkeeping).... It's worked so far, but it is a lot more time consuming.... I know that the Python system was designed to both siphon and fill ---- yet I can't for the life of me figure out how you can treat the water for chlorine.... I mean I don't want to hurt or even kill my fish... But if the water goes directly into the tank, won't the fish be exposed to the chlorinated water? Even if you add drops before or after the fill --- doesn't it take awhile to actually rid the water of the chlorine components? What happens during the interim time of the drops to the chlorine being gone --- what happens to the fish?
I'd really love to use the Python system as it was designed for ---- but I need help in knowing how to do it SAFELY..... Can you help me??????

To thine own self be true...

Well I read that the Python dechlorinates a bit of water through "aeration". I also have one and I had the same question but no one really answered it. I just add the water in and while doing that I add Aqua Plus. The water thats pooring in from the Python circulates the Aqua Plus around the tank. I have been doing this because letting the water sit first is really time consuming and a waste of buying the Python. All my fish seem to be fine when doing water changes. I hope some one else with a bit more experience can give you a better answer.

The aeration action that the python makes will take most chlorine out of the water, but not chloramine. The main concern with these chemicals is that they can burn the gills of your fish. It's bad news over the long term but in the few seconds that your fish are likely to be in contact with it when filling your tank won't hurt them much. The dechlorinator works very rapidly, so you can add it to the tank right before you start adding the water and it'll pretty well take care of the chlorine within seconds of it entering your tank. Damage, if any, to your fish's gills will be gone by the next time you do a water change, since the gills are highly vascularized. Chlorine won't kill a fish right away unless maybe you drop the fish in some bleach (not recommended). It takes prolonged contact in the concentrations found in tap water to do any permanent damage. I've never heard of anyone's fish dying from chlorine except when no dechlorinator or other measures (if there is only chlorine and no chlormine present, that can be removed by "aging" the water) had been used.

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I've been filling my tank with mine for years. Just set the temp to where you want and close the valve. I have never done anything to treat my water.



Dan

Superlion hit it on the head. Chlorine is only deadly in prolonged periods of time. If your worried about chloramine or suspect it is present in your water use a conditioner called "Prime". I also add twice as much chlorine remover when adding water back with the python.

On the Prime label, it says that if you're adding Prime directly to the aquarium (filling with a Python), you should base the Prime dosage on the total aquarium volume, not the amount of water being replaced. So, if you have a 55 gallon aquarium, you put in enough Prime for 55 gallons if putting the water in directly. That's what I've done and haven't had a problem.

i've been doing water changes for years without treating the water at all. i know this isn't the way it's supposed to be done.... but i've never had any problems. the way i see it - the 10-20% that has to be replaced in my tanks is going to diffuse enough in the remaining 80-90% of the water to not cause any problems. i use this technique for all but my most sensitive fish - and for them i just let a couple buckets of water age overnight

I do 50-75% Tap WC's 3 times a week with my Python. I have chlorine in my water and no CO2 so my PH is 6.8 before and after 24 hr of pumping. I like to leave the hose spraying at the top of the glass so it rides along the glass to the bottom, it increases the surface area of the water and makes less turbulence for the fish. I only add enough aqua plus for the water I am replacing. The only bad thing that could happen is if your town uses chlorine half the year and chloramine the other half or they switched over to chloramine without telling people first.

I just bought a python and used it for the first time in filling my 180g. Wasnt easy though, i didnt have an adapter to fit my sink so i ended up dragging the hose through a window and attaching it that. Glad i came across this post, i was wondering the exact same thing. I was worried i would have to keep a 55g brute can next to my tank for water changes.

Just want to thank all of you for your fast and kind responses.... Has greatly helped me! I'm going to try it - adding enough of Wardley's CHLOR OUT (Neutralizes Chlorine and Chloramines in Tap Water)for my entire 55 gal tank and finally use my Python as it was intended!

I sure do love this site! Not once have I ever felt "stupid" asking a question... and not once have I ever been made to feel I am!!!!

Kudos to all of you!


Last edited by dreamweaver8891 at 04-Oct-2004 06:30

To thine own self be true...

It's worth checking with your local water utility to see how they treat the water. I think you'd want to be a little more aggressive in treating water that has chloramines than chlorine. If you check your city's web site, you can probably find the water quality report -- it has lots of good information about pH, hardness, treatments, and trace elements in the wtaer.