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Ok, so I bought a 25 foot Python "no spill" suction thingie. My tank probably isn't even ten feet from the bathroom, so I figured it'd be plenty.

First, I scoop up my fish to put them in the separate tank, and while transporting the catfish, his fin gets caught in the net. And I mean really caught. I try to let him shake himself loose, but that doesn't work. I try pushing out the little part thats stuck, but that doesn't work. I eventually revert to scissors to cut around where he was stuck. I notice after this that he isn't swimming properly, and he eventually dies. I know this has nothing to do with the Python, but it just added to my frustration.

Well, I try to attach the one end to my bathroom faucet and it doesn't fit. Not even with the adaptor. So then I try to stretch it to the kitchen. It's about five or so feet short. I try rolling my dresser (with tank on top) about five feet closer, but this is almost impossible. Eventually I manage to get it right at my doorway, pretty much blocking entrance or exit to my room. I attach the end to the kitchen faucet, and the threading is already damaged. It won't go on very tight at all, and when I try to tighten it, it completely falls off.

I manage to get most of the water out, clean it out, and then I'm ready to fill it back up. Well, I set the hose inside of the tank, turn on the water, and go back over to the tank. By the time I get back, it's no longer in the tank, but instead spraying water all over the floor. I cut off the pressure on it and rush back to the sink so that the pressure won't build up to much, and it pops off of the faucet, the hose is laying on the floor and pouring water all over the place.

Then I had to move my dresser again, and I almost toppled the whole thing...

I am not happy at all. It may or may not be the fault of the product, but this is definitely the worst cleaning experience I have ever been through. I'm so frustrated, and I lost my catfish.

Sorry to hear about your catfish. I always hesitate to remove my fish from the tank because I'm always afraid something like that will happen. I usually buy nets that are way bigger than the fish and look almost like cheesecloth so that they can't get stuck.

Unfortunately, when filling the tank, the pressure of the water flowing through the Python will cause the hose to flip out, sort of like a fire hose.

For the future: what I do is anchor the hose inside the tank with a few heavy rocks or, if someone else is at home (my husband), I have him hold the hose in the tank while I turn on the water. The hose has to be held in place until you turn off the water flow or it will flip out. I would also suggest that you get an extension for the python so you don't have to move your furniture. The python connectors don't fit most bathroom fixtures.

Hope this info helps for the future.

Hmm, I don't think I mentioned, but my dresser is on wheels. They don't turn very well, as the dresser is probably older than I am, but that helped some.

I believe the smallest extension is 20 feet. That's a lot of extra space, considering I only need like five feet. Will the suction still work ok? Hopefully I won't need to clean it out again right away... And next time I'll definitely wait until my roommate is home.

I think it was something wrong with my catfish. Bony fins or something. When I scooped him up (after he died) to put him in the toilet, he got stuck to the net again!

Sorry you had such a negative experience! I guess that is why we all learn from our mistakes.

Just a note on the extensions, because I have been doing research for myself. 10 foot extensions can be purchased at www.bigalsonline.com and www.drsfostersmith.com. Both places sell them for 7.99, so go with the one that has cheaper shipping.

I've had plenty of accidents when water changing. once you figure out a routine, it gets much easier and faster.

Yeah, I forgot to mention. I learned about the weighting down thing after a similar experience. I spent more time cleaning up the pools of water on the floor than what it took to clean the tank. LOL

Wow such bad experience! I use the python to drain the tanks but not hooked up to the sink! Lol I just use it like a regular suction vac and hang the end out the window or door close to the tank. Then I do use it to fill the tanks back up but you can flip the hose thingy and just have the one end in the tank and the other end with the tube part under the faucet...you don't have to hook it to it just get the water adjusted to keep the tube filled!

Another tip I would give would be to by the brass adapter for the faucet. That white plastic one as you found out can strip real easy. You can get the brass one at www.bigalsonline.com. Just search on the keyword python.

Thank you. I'll have to look into those attachments.

Hopefully next time won't be so bad

You can also get most plumbing attachments at your local Lowes or Home Depot, you can likely even get one to fiit your bathroom sink. I would take the parts that need attached & compare.

(ie you could take the aereator part for the bathroom sink & the python itself) They also sell tubing and flare connectors that may work to serve as an extension.

I skimmed thru the posts and didn't see this mentioned (if it was, I apologize) but there's a switch at the end of the hose for that. You can flip the switch, turn the water on for refill and it'll keep it from going right away. It says tho to only keep that switch on long enough to get from the sink to the tank.

Welcome to "Water change world"! Like Steve said, once you get a system down, it gets easier. I've got two tanks, one in my living room downstairs, and one upstairs in an alcove (thats Jersey City speak for a walk-in closet that you rip the doors off of and pile your clothes somewhere else so you can squeeze a tank into). I've actually called a plumber (a friend of mine) to come in to see if I could install sinks in both locations, but for now I have to lay low, I think my family is secretly trying to have me committed.......