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

I have a 8 gallon tall tank, and the length of the tube is perfect so you do not get your hands wet. It has a perfect suction flow so stuff doesn't get sucked up too fast and the diameter of the tube is perfect for getting around my planted tank. Awesome!

I love how simple and easy to use this gravel vacuum is. It’s so much better than the products out there with weird bells and whistles, siphon pumps that clog, etc. This product is just a gravel vac and some vinyl tubing, as it should be.I bought the 1 inch diameter 10 inch long product for a 20 gallon aquarium, and I like the size OTHER than the suction power. I’ve found that it isn’t strong enough to pick up some poop and some debris, where I had to go back with a larger vac to finish the job. For reference, this was mollie/platy sized poop, not anything extraordinary.

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

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.

I had high expectations for this product because of the brand, I was disappointed once I realized that my aq*eon siphon was better than this one..I have a half filled 89 gallon tank that houses my RES turtle, I was excited for this thinking it would make cleaning up its poop easier.. I was wrong!This is too tall to be fully submerged into the water, meaning I have to manually start the siphon with a syringe, it can be time consuming this way.The build quality is nice, I love how long the tube is, you don’t have to worry about if it’s in your bucket or not, and the tube is flexible which is a plus.Basically, it works subpar, value is alright, could be slightly cheaper.

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.

I love it. It works very well picking up the sentiment in the bottom of the tank. Very easy to use.