So I recently found these instructions for how to make a DIY Python water changer. I just made one according to those instructions and it works so I thought I'd share a list of UK suppliers if anyone is wanting to make one. The person in the post made theirs for around £25 but they used Hozelock fittings and 50m of hose which they seem to have obtained quite cheaply as I worked it out as closer to £35 with Hozelock fittings and my 10m of hose.

Some pictures of my DIY Python.

I used:

10m of 12mm(ID),15mm(OD) hose for £6.50. The poster got theirs from B&Q but my local one didn't have any and I couldn't find any on their website so they might have stopped selling it. Homebase, wilko and halfords didn't have any. I didn't try my LFS but they do have hose for use with filters so they probably have hose of the right diameter for this. This was the cheapest clear hose I could find. You could use ordinary garden hose but it helps a lot being able to see if/where the water is flowing (by watching the air bubbles).

Hozelock Y connector - £4 (or around £5 in Homebase, B&Q etc)

Wilko hose connectors x 4 - £4

Wilko stop connector x 1 - £1

Wilko nozzle - £1 Not essential as you can just have the water tricking out of the end connector but I did find it useful for clearing the debris from the moss and spraying the filter outlet bar to try and clear it out.

Wilko tap connector - £3.75 This one doesn't actually work brilliantly for me as my sink tap is too narrow/angled and my bath tap is too wide for it to form a seal properly. Wilko had around 2-3 types of tap connector in addition to the basic screw on connector. If you can only connect your hose to either hot or cold water you could add another y connector and length of hose to the other tap although I have heard that hot taps/pipes tend to contain metals you don't want going into the tank. In addition you'll need some way of securing the hose to the tank.

One main thing to remember is to add dechlorinator before you start filling the tank, and add the amount for the total tank volume not just the water you are adding.

I got mine to siphon water by turning the tap on full until the tube was full of water and then turning the tap off. I emptied into the bath which is slightly lower than the tank. If you want to save the water to water the plants etc you could easily stick a bucket under the open Y connector end.