I would do away with the python solution if you can..........
I've never come across this method in reading for some reason so I do question it and am interested to hear your views.
Do we really need to syphon the inside of our planted tanks if they have the correct fish and plants in? If you think the answer could be no then this method could work for you and assumes you agree with me! (I'm not saying a light vacuum from time to time wouldn't go amiss if it needed it or use draining method II)
It's a long read which will probably be confusing in my words but there are a few things that might help
There are several things this method would rely on but if you match the criteria it could save you both time and hassle.
Draining:
Do you have an external filter? This is the most important part of this method as it relies upon you basically putting a tee inline of the inflow pipe which then has a valve on the tee leading to a thread and hozelock fitting meaning you can connect a hose up and as a filter inflow pipe is full of water when you turn the filter off and open the valve you now have water coming out of the hozelock fitting and the rest then relies simply on gravity. You could then put the other end of the pipe in your bath or toilet so long as the end point is lower than the lowest point you are trying to take water from it just relies upon gravity.
If you don't have an external filter or want to syphon the water then finding a syphon with a nice size hose and just extend it; again to your toilet or bath. Preferably hozelock size then you can use the same hose.
Filling up:
Trying to connect to taps is a right pain in the a***e and most people have a shower which would give you a 1/2" thread which you can connect a hozelock fitting to and then using the hose refill your tank. how you want to terminate this etc is upto you but gives you the option of 1/2" and 3/4" threads.
Thoughts?????
My bathroom taps looks like this and I am hoping to get a Python for my upstairs tank. Is there any hope? I'm desperately looking for ways to minimise my tank maintenance workload.
I don't think you pictures came out ?
only just seen this - my pictures never seem to come out!