A python is a large gravel vacuum that makes water changes especially easy. You can get them anywhere from 15-30 feet or more, not sure of the specifics. They work like a normal gravel vacuum, you put the larger end in the aquarium and vacuum out debris from the gravel, and using a siphon, you put the water in a bucket- however, with the python, you don't put the water in a bucket. It's long enough you can just put in a laundry room sink or something. It has a special attachment at the end so you can hook it up the the faucet and put the water back into the tank, putting in aqua-safe drops as the tank fills up. They are relatively cheap and easy too use. I wouldn't bother using it for anything below 29 gallons or so, i just use a normal gravel vacuum and put the water in a bucket. They also have a valve half way through so you can shut off the water flow if you need too.

Now some other manufacturers besides python have mimicked the idea, but it is still called a python anyways, whether it's a true python or not.

Art

i just cannot picture it my head so if any1 has got a brief picture of 1 can you post it on here and hive us a glance plz . artemis so is it alot easier than a normal gravel vac or not?????

Type into google search..

in my opinion, these devices are a complete waste of money. they rely on strong water pressure to work properly. If you haven't got strong water pressure, the suction will not be strong enough to lift solid debris from the tank which is very important when you're keeping Oscars.

I have found that a hose pipe with the gravel vac on the ends, does just a good job

I agree with OFL.dont wast your money. Heres how I change 2 x 50 gallon a wk. Its safe, And easy-ish... I have a 50g drum in the garage(B&Q £20). I fill this through a nitragone slowly. Nitragone removes 90% of nitrates in tap water(rechargeable with dishwasher salt lasts yrs)and this gives me nitrate free water.(nitragone £50ish tel:01708744880) I heat the new water in the drum to 28c then add tapsafe.Thats my clean water sorted...To clean tank,I then siphon crap out,off sand(siphon attached to hose goes to drain, takes 3 mins.I then add a second hose, 1 inch,inner bore dia to finish siphoning off water. Takes 2mins as the 1 inch hose drains it fast!( take care here!!!) In 5 mins i have cleaned and drained 50g. I then pump the water from drum to tank( old 405).Note as I only drain 50g (small mark on tank glass to aid here)and the drum holds 50g i have little chance of a flood if I forget while doing other things.The main benifits are..

1, The new water is nitrate free.
2,Its total safe for fish as new water is treated before going back into tank. Heated at 28c. Heating the water is important
3, its fast-ish.. 50gallon in 30 mins work.

down side are

1,Time to make water nitrate free very slow(25g a hr)but no wast water if you are on meter.leave hose on slow drip through nitragone
2,you will need space for drum.
3,cost of old pump anything will do, faster the better.
4,cost of 1 inch hose.This is well worth it if you drain a lot of water.I got mine for free from work

I agree that these python syphons are not needed. I have had large tanks for a while now, and also have 4 other taks running and I have never used a python. I use a regular garden hose to remove the water from the tank, then when adding now water, I use a hose conected to a hot and cold water tap. I adjust the temerature so it is the same as the tank ans then start refilling the tank, I add a little declorinator first, then add it as the water is filling the tank.