Pythoin vacuuming system

[Avalon]

I've got a 100G and I bought a $8 50' garden hose. I stick one end in the tank, and give the other end a good pull and out comes the water. After that I pull the submerged end out, place it slightly above the water line, screw the other end onto the faucet, and there's my water. I don't even get my hands wet. How easy is that? I could care less about vacuuming. I have a planted tank and feed sparingly.

Pythons are a waste of money. I can buy every part they include for less than half that price. A garden hose is even cheaper.

 

[RedTurquoise]

You know Avalon! You are right! The pythons are a little on the pricey side and now that I have one, I would build my own! However, I would not use garden hose because some garden hoses are treated on the inside as anti-algae or whatever. If you could find a phone number from the manufactor and ask them if they would recommend using their hoses to 'drink' from, they might not recommend it. So, why would you want to use it for your tanks if its not safe to 'drink' from! Ask DaveC or pm him about garden hoses.

 

[equinom]

Yes - I am quite sure that someone could jury rig a garden hose to pretty much work, I can't think of the design for the drain/fill part from the faucet - I'm sure that wouldn't be hard.
I really like the switch at the gravel tube end - I feel more in control.  
I have to say, though - I got the 25 ft Python from BigAlsOnline for about $23.  With the design of those few parts, plus the heavy duty hose and the heavy duty connectors - I thought I got away cheap.  I look at it this way:  I get paid $X / hr for my job.  If I spent 3 hours fussing around with a home made piece of equipment,that means I have spent 3 ( X) for the equipment.  If I can purchase a poroduct that will do the same job just as well, or better, for less than 3(X) well it's cheaper to buy it.