How to Use a Python Siphon

Aquariums are a popular part of many peoples' homes. Frequent water changes are key to maintaining a healthy, clean aquarium environment for fish and aquatic plants. Gravel vacuums have been used over the years to siphon water and gravel waste into a bucket or other container next to the aquarium, which can be a messy process. The python siphon system is a popular, new product on the market that has made aquarium water changes an easy, quick and clean experience. The python system is attached to a faucet for the easy disposal of aquarium water.

Things You'll Need

  • Python No Spill Clean 'N Fill System
  • Faucet
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Instructions

  1. Python Siphon

    • 1

      Research the four sizes of the python siphon system available for purchase and determine which one meets your needs. The differences between the systems is the length of the tubing that stretches from your faucet to your aquarium. The four systems available contain tubing that are 25 feet, 50 feet, 75 feet or 100 feet in length. Purchase the python siphon that best fits your needs.

    • 2

      Verify that all parts of the python siphon are present. The system should include tubing, gravel tube, on/off valve, hose connectors, faucet pump and the faucet adapter. The tubing, gravel tube, on/off valve and hose connectors will already be connected to one another.

    • 3

      Remove the washer that is currently attached to your sink or bathroom faucet. Be careful not to lose any of the rubber seals that secure the washer to your faucet. Twist the faucet adapter into your faucet head until a tight seal has been formed. Test the seal by turning on your faucet and verifying that all of the water flows directly through the adapter and does not leak out the sides.

    • 4

      Connect the faucet pump to the faucet adapter on the faucet head by twisting the pump onto the threads of the adapter. Once these components have been screwed together, there should be a tight seal that can be tested by turning the faucet on and verifying that no water leaks from either of the connecting points.

    • 5

      Bring the gravel tube, tubing, on/off valve and hose connectors to the faucet. Connect the hose connector that is attached to the tubing/gravel tube/on and off valve to the faucet pump by threading it into the adapter present on the side of the pump. At this point, your python siphon system has been assembled and is now ready for use.

    • 6

      Turn on the faucet. The water flowing through the pump will generate a suction that you will be able to feel at the end of the gravel tube. If you do not feel a vacuum at the end of the gravel tube, verify that the on/off valve is switched to the on position. The valve will be labeled to indicate which position is on and which is off.

    • 7

      Submerge the gravel tube into the aquarium. The water in your aquarium will begin to move up the gravel tube and into the tubing. It will flow through the tubing and will empty into the sink where the tubing is connected to your faucet. To siphon more water over a shorter period of time, increase the amount of water flowing through the pump.