Cleaning fish poop

[s0me]

What is the best method to get rid of pish "poop"? I have already cleaned the tank out 1/3 and got rid of some of it with the python, but there is still a fair amount that is around. Are there any fish that will eat other fishes waste?

I recently added some rocks and 3 new JD's so I don't want to be moving things around again and stress them out.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[328iGuy]

You should be able to get the most of it with the python, thats all I ever use and then of course approx. once each month or 2 I will remove the rock and clean underneath everything.

Just keep an eye on you're nitrate levels, but I am sure with weekly water changes you shouldn't have an issue.

What size of tank and what do you have in it?  What size of fish?

[slickshooter]

One problem that may occur (and has been discussed in this forum somewhere) with a python is lack of suction due to water pressure. This may be why you can't get it all out.Personally what I do on my 75 gallon is use a manual syphon into a bucket.This gets the large waste out that the python isnt "strong" enough to suck out.Then after 2 pails full I use the python to just pull the rest of the desired amount of water out and refill.
HTH

[Aiglos]

What is a python exactly  ? are you talking about the typical hose bought in stores that you use to clean your tank or is this a brandname / new invention ?

[328iGuy]

What is a python exactly  ? are you talking about the typical hose bought in stores that you use to clean your tank or is this a brandname / new invention ?

It is a brand name type hose to connect to you're faucet and do water changes with.  It will syphon water out and put water in all with a "twist"!

[s0me]

What size of tank and what do you have in it? What size of fish?

I have a 77 gal. tank with a bunch of slate and some fake plants. My fish range from my 6" GT, pleco (5" approx) pakistani loach 2 " and 3 new demps and some smaller tetras etc..

[Marc]

What is a python exactly  ? are you talking about the typical hose bought in stores that you use to clean your tank or is this a brandname / new invention ?

http://www.pythonproducts.com/

[dpatte]

a python is a hose with on on/off switch at one end ( so you can turn the hose off at your tanks, and an adjustable mechanical turbine at the other end driven by the tap pressure. The nicee thing about the turbine is that it can be adjusted to either push water to your tank, or pull it from your tank!

But back to your original question, a standard aquarium syphon with a wide end in your tank can remove alot of debris and garbage from your tank. If you remove half the poop eACH WEEK when doing a water change even using a regular syphon, it wont be long before most of the poop is gone.

[saltydog]

Dave,

I took the faucent-end of my python apart & did not see anything resembling a turbine inside. I thought the principle behind its operation was a 'venturi'.  I have 2 of these. Both are lime-green. What does yours look like?

[Marc]

Hi Roger,

My Python is lime-green also.  I think all the real "Python" are lime-green.  Similar devices of different colours are from other manufacturers.

"Venturi" doesn't have anything to do with a turbine but rather it's basically a tube with a constriction in it.   According to Britannica.com this can have many uses.
http://www.britannica.com/ebc/article?tocId=9381892&query=venturi&ct=


My understanding is that in the Python's case water rushing down the shaft of the python causes suction in the hose.  Because of the venturi  (constriction) effect  the water goes faster in that part of the shaft and this causes more suction.