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Well I am sick of buying things online, but I have heard only good things about the python, how does it work? The gravel cleaning thingy anyway. . .and do you have to buy anything else like a pump? How do you start one to get the water going? Thanks

Fish are like potato chips. . .you can't have just one

Yes, they are complete, however you can make one yourself for a lot less cost. Here is a link to a DIY article that will show you how.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_python.php

Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

I recently bought a Python for my new 55 gallon aquarium, since using my cheapie gravel vac and buckets (for my smaller tanks) didn't sound very appealing. It took a few uses before I got the hang of it, but now it's a breeze- very easy to use, very clean, very convenient. I much prefer it to lugging sloshing buckets around.
You don't need to buy anything else to operate it. Everything comes in the kit. You unscrew the piece from the faucet, screw on the fittings, turn on the cold water full blast, then push the gravel vac into the gravel to begin the siphoning action. I have done it myself all but once, and found that it is helpful to have someone adjusting the water flow at the faucet, while I am at the aquarium. Adjusting the water flow varies how much suction the gravel vac will have.
I've been using it to fill my aquarium (don't have anything in it now), but am not sure if I will continue to use it for filling, since I've found it difficult to control the water temp, and you aren't able to condition the water before it goes into the aquarium.
My aquarium is within 25 feet of my kitchen sink, so I was able to get the cheapest one. I have seen the 25 foot Python at Petco for $50.00, but I got mine on www.drsfostersmith.com for less than $30.00.
Hope that helps!
Kari