Python Water Changer: Is It The Best Option? Facts & Considerations
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Most fish experts would recommend that you change about a quarter of the total water in the tank once per week. However, changing the water in your tank can be extremely messy and laborious, but not when you have a good water changer but what is the best option? Python water changers get discussed a lot so let’s look closer and see how they compared to other options.
Are you having trouble keeping your aquarium clean? It is a big problem that affects many people around the world. You could have a really good filter combined with a great protein skimmer, but sometimes that still just is not enough. For that reason, aquariums need to have their water changed every now and then.
Let’s first talk about why water changers are helpful then at what we consider to be some of best water changers for aquariums available, with specific regard to the Python Water Changer, is it really the better option to consider?
What Is A Water Changer And How Does It Work?
A water changer for an aquarium is a pretty simple tool, simple but really useful. A water changer is more or less a long rubber or vinyl tube used to easily change the water in your fish tank. You put one end of the rubber tubing into the water in the fish tank, and attach the other end to your sink. There will be a faucet attachment which your place on your kitchen sink faucet (this will also have a multi directional flow valve on it).
Once you have the valve attached to your faucet, with the other end of the tube in the water, you need to turn on your sink. Turning on the sink will create a vacuum, almost like sucking on the tube, which will then draw water out of the tank. Once this vacuum takes hold on the tank water you can actually turn the sink off. After you have removed as much water from the tank as you want, flip the valve so that no more water can get out. Turn on your sink and let the water run through the tubing and back into the tank.
Many of these water changers come with a big gravel tube at the end so you can easily change the water in your fish tank while also sucking out small organic waste from the gravel. In other words, it is a great way to change the water in your fish tank while also cleaning the gravel at the same time. This gravel tube simply sucks gravel into it, and there is a small filter or netting which will let waste through, but will not suck up the gravel any further, thus keeping the gravel in your tank while also removing waste from it.
On a side note; if you need some help finding a good aquarium vacuum, we have covered 5 here specifically for sand.
Are Python Water Changers Really The Best Option?
In our opinion, Python is one of the best options to consider and we feel that way for several reasons. They are comparatively cheap when compared to other brands, they are extremely durable and long-lasting, and they are also probably one of the most convenient to use as well. Let’s go with a good example here, which is the Python No Spill Clean and Fill Aquarium Maintenance System.
Python No Spill Clean and Fill Aquarium Maintenance System
This is our favorite water changer and that is due to a variety of reasons.
Features
The Python No Spill Clean and Fill Aquarium Maintenance System is a totally ready to use system. It comes with a 25 foot long hose, which is more than long enough to reach any kitchen sink or other faucet from where your aquarium is, so there should be no trouble there.
It comes complete with the faucet attachment, which can easily connect to virtually any faucet out there. Python No Spill Clean and Fill Aquarium Maintenance System also comes complete with a directional flow valve which lets you change the direction of the water flow in a split second. This is a tool you can use to easily remove and add water to the aquarium without any buckets or spilled water. It also comes with the faucet pump so you can easily create the vacuum that will suck the water out by itself.
It also comes complete with a 10 inch gravel tube so you can easily change the water and clean the gravel without disturbing your fish or having to remove the gravel from the aquarium. This is an extremely convenient option to go with because it does not require any extra equipment, it prevents spills, and it will let you change the water in just a few moments with barely any effort at all.
Pros
- 25 foot long hose.
- 10 inch gravel tube.
- No spills and no buckets required.
- Adapts to most faucets with ease.
- Comes with the faucet vacuum pump.
Cons
- Drain and faucet attachment may wear down after prolonged use.
What Other Options are There?
You may not be as big a fan of the Python No Spill Clean and Fill Aquarium Maintenance System as we are, which is why we also have a couple other options for you to look at.
Aqueon Aquarium Water Changer
This is another decent option to go with. It may not be as high quality as our favorite option by Python, but it will still do the job without question.
Features
More or less, the Aqueon Aquarium Water Changer is the same thing as the Python, just with a little less quality in our opinion. It comes with a 25 foot long tube for draining and filling, it gets rid of the need for buckets, and it stops spills too. It also comes with a fairly short gravel tube for cleaning gravel, and you can use the switch to easily change from gravel cleaner to water changer. It comes with everything you need, including the sink faucet attachments, in order to change the water in your aquarium.
Pros
- 25 foot long tube.
- Easily change from gravel cleaner to water vacuum.
- Prevents spilling.
- Comes with the faucet attachment.
- Attaches to most sinks with ease.
- Comes with the gravel tube included.
Cons
- Water control valve is not very durable.
- Hose is very stiff plastic.
Marina Easy Clean Water Changer
Another good option to go with, the Marina Easy Clean Water Changer will do the job without question. This is a big water changer meant for big jobs and big spaces.
Features
The Marina Easy Clean Water Changer comes complete with an 18 inch long gravel tube and a 50 foot long water vacuum hose. This means that you never have to worry about the tube being too short to make it to your sink. The tube also comes with a gravel guard to make sure that no gravel gets trapped inside of the tube.
This thing also comes with an easy to use sink attachment that fits virtually all faucets, plus it also includes the directional water valve so you can quickly switch from draining your aquarium to filling it back up. The Marina Easy Clean Water Changer does not require any extra equipment, which is obviously a big bonus.
Pros
- Very long tube.
- Long gravel tube.
- Comes with everything included.
Cons
- Vacuum suction is not very good.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that a good water changer, like the Python, will make your life much easier. These things remove the need for buckets and they stop spillages too. A good water changer will streamline the water exchange process and will help you clean the gravel at the bottom of the tank too.
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