Python Pro-Clean Aquarium Gravel Washer & Siphon Kit, Small

I'm familiar with the Python Cleaning products because I used to keep big Cichlid tanks (90 gal & 75 gal) 5 yrs ago then left the hobby. I used one of Python's larger syphons that hooked right up to the sink and allowed me to clean these large tanks quickly and efficiently...but that's a totally different review. Getting back into aquaria...I have decided to go 'Nano' tanks. I have two 3 gal. acrylic cubes and one 2 gal. glass jar so they are considerable smaller in scale so small that at first I didn't even consider using such a tool as this for tank maintainance. Finally, after struggling with tank water quality I started reading Amazon Reviews on these 'Mini' or 'Small' gravel washers and I decided that I needed one. I not only read reviews on the Python product but also others. Finally I decided on the Python based on my previous experience with the company and product albeit the much larger cleaner. OK..on to the review. I am or was right in the midst of changing my substrates. I started with a black coral sand which was very attractive but compacting over time. I felt it was not ideal for the plants I am growing. I also felt this substrate was trapping debris and organic detrius contributing to poor water quality. It took me awhile to realize that it was FAR more challenging maintaining water quality in a 3 gal tank versus the 90 gal. 90 gallons of water allows for far more stability in quality and allows for more error and less maintainance. The other 3 Gal. cube I'd already gutted and started over with Black Laterite a porous clay more suitable for plants and much larger than sand. This Python worked GREAT on BOTH the sand and the Laterite. The sand you had to watch more closely and manipulate the cleaning end / suction end / business end to allow sand to drop back down if inadvertently picked up but the suction was pretty much perfect for me, IMHO. Not too strong and yet strong enough to pick up detrius and clean both sand and laterite. I know alot of aquarists use sand substrates so this is a key 'Take Away' for you sand people. Laterite while being much larger than sand is VERY light as it is highly porous clay but the Python handled it perfectly. I liked thetube length and found that I did not have to do anything special to keep the discharge end in my bucket. It is soft and pliable and curled up in the bucket and never moved. I cleaned the substrate until I'd sucked about 1/3 the tank or 1 gal. for a water change and it took only a couple of minutes so it was fast enough to limit the amount of time cleaning yet slow enough to allow for a thorough cleaning of the substrate. I'm very happy that I went with the Python. Heck, it was ONLY $3.74 on Sale! Free Shipping as an 'Add-On'...I thought....for $3.74 If I don't like it I'll throw it away and buy some other product. I spend more than $3.74 on my morning coffee! You can't please ALL of the people ALL of the time ....but I'd be willing to bet that this Python will please MOST of the people MOST of the time and for $3.74 you aren't taking much risk in finding out. It's a 'No-Brainer' !!Python Pro-Clean Aquarium Gravel Washer and Siphon Kit, Small

Simple but good product, tubing remains pliable and the siphon tube is very sturdy.

This is a help for me. I have always used a syphon cleaning out aquariums. I have had several large tanks and don't know what I would do without it. Now with my beta tank I want one too. :)This little guy works well. I have a one and a half gallon tank for my betta fish and this one is working good. If the tank was a little larger I know it would do a better job of getting into the gravel but I can do a water change with this and get to some of the gravel each time. It is great so you don't have to take your fish out of the tank every time you do a water change and I'm sure it is less stress on the fish.

I love it! Exactly what I hoped. Works just like a larger gravel vac but without the clunkiness and hassle of in-take valves or pumps. This is perfect for my ten gallons and other nano tanks and it’s not so strong that it can take up fish. Although, while vacuuming my pearl weed carpet I did end up sucking up a few baby shrimp which I had to filter out with multiple nets. This is perfect for removing detritus and debris in a gentle manager and to avoid sucking up shrimplets id say a bit of pantyhose on the end should do the trick. I definitely recommend this product and I can see the difference in quality between this and the aqueous brand. I will say it’s instructions say to swirl above the substrate rather than digging in but as long as you don’t have stratified or powdery substrate it works fine this way as well. I used it over black diamond blasting sand and pavers sand.

This is a way better pump than the one I got at the pet store. The flow is perfect for my 20 gallon tank. Great replacement.

This siphon was bought to clean a 5 gallon tank with rocky substrate. I found it a little difficult and messy to get the siphon flowing and took lots of practice to be able to use it effectively. Once started though it does suck up any gunk at the bottom of the tank helping keep it clean. The flow was rather manageable and not too fast. I would say overall it does do it's job but experience is definitely key. The clear tubing helps see the removal of debris and is helpful when trying to navigate around the tank. Overall I think this is an important tool for any aquarium owner but can prove difficult is the siphon is too large for the size tank you are cleaning or if you are new to this cleaning technique.

We use this to drain our turtle tank. I love that this pump works without batteries or plugs. I get good suction with it just by following the directions. You do have to submerge it completely. I start with the large end and then feed the hose into the water until I get to the other end. That's the easiest way to push the air out of the tube - which is necessary to get the best suction. After that, just put your thumb over the small end and pull it out of the water. Drop that line into your collection container and let it work. As long as you keep the large tube submerged, it will continue to draw. When there are large chunks, I sometimes have to unclog the connection between the large and small tube, but I've seen some surprisingly large items feed through without a problem.The only thing that would make this product better is if it had some kind of clip or hook on it so you could clip it to the collection container and a 'foot' for the large tube so you could prop it upright in the tank to get the water level as low as possible. I worry about it falling out or dropping under the water level on the collection container end, and when the tank gets close to empty I have to keep an eye on it to make sure the large tube doesn't come out of the water.Down side: You do have to get your hands dirty to submerge the tube and manipulate it, so wear gloves if that grosses you out. Otherwise, you might prefer a pump with a motor.