Benefits of using Prime?

So.... I've been reading and hearing about Prime. I hear how it detoxifies ammonia, nitrate and nitrite plus removes the chlorinate on water. But it's only good for 24-48 hours. My questions are; what the benefit of using Prime compared to using just a water conditioner and stress coat from API or Top Fin? If it's only good for 24-48 hours wouldn't that give you a false positive on testing with Prime in the tank.

Thank you again

 

Idk about the comparison to other products as I have not used them, sorry

But yes, it will give you a false positive for ammonia when you test for it. This is because prime converts ammonia into ammonium which is still able to be read in the ammonia test. Ammonium is much safer for fish. The 24-48 hours give your beneficial bacteria enough time to convert the ammonium into nitrite, then nitrate without it being harmful to your fish. If you do not have a cycled filter (say you are currently cycling) then it gives you a grace period in which your fish are not is harms way, well not nearly as much. In the time period which the Prime is active, you can do water changes to reduce the ammonia/ammonium reading to a relatively safe range.

I'm not sure how it neutralizes the nitrite but it is the same concept as to why it used to keep fish safe from toxins.

 

Yeah so chlorine is permanent. The benefit to prime is it makes ammonia, nitrite and nitrate safe that way your beneficial bacteria can build up and remove it. Do other products do it? Idk but Prime is very concentrate I only need 1.5 small capfuls on my 75 gallon which means I run out less often.

 

Right now I'm still ready .50 ppm ammonia and 40ppm nitrate. With fish so I'm not cycled. I never tested before so I would never know if I was or wasn't. I've been doing daily water changes would I be ok to start using the Prime then?

 

Since you have fish in your tank then yes, go ahead and use the prime. It will make it so your ammonia is not toxic. also, I woujld recommend doing a 50% water change so your nitrates are cut in half. 40ppms is a bit high

 

Prime binds ammonia, nitrite and nitrite but it doesn't remove them, so you will will still see them if you test for them. I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned that it also neutralises heavy metals in water, which as far as I'm aware none of the other conditioners do

 

Prime binds ammonia, nitrite and nitrite but it doesn't remove them, so you will will still see them if you test for them. I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned that it also neutralises heavy metals in water, which as far as I'm aware none of the other conditioners do

I use to have one that neutralizes heavy metals then went to prime so I just thought most of them do tbh.

IMO Prime is the one of the best because it is really concentrated and lasts forever

 

Ok. One more question. Will I see my tank cycle with no ammonia. I already have zero Nitrites when using the prime?

 

You should see ammonia. If you don't and your nitrates build you are cycled.

 

Ok. One more question. Will I see my tank cycle with no ammonia. I already have zero Nitrites when using the prime?

Eventually you should see no ammonia, for awhile you may see 0.25 but this is normal. There is always be some ammonia, sometimes it is readable and sometimes it is not

Larry Sacco Have you tested you tap for ammonia? Your results make me think you are cycled but you r ammonia is a bit high, making me think that you have ammonia in your tap

 

That's good to know. I've tested three times in the last week. I've gotten

between .25-.50 ppm ammonia
40 ppm nitrate
0 nitrites
My Ph is right around 7.8
Without Using Prime but with using top fin water conditioner and API stress coat

Larry Sacco Have you tested you tap for ammonia? Your results make me think you are cycled but you r ammonia is a bit high, making me think that you have ammonia in your tap

Yes. I tested the tap and have .50 ppm out of the tap

 

NitrAte is only controlled by water changes. You want to keep that below 20ppm.

 

Okay so that makes sense. Make sure you add prime to your tap when you do water changes so the ammonia won't be toxic to your fish.

 

I'll have to watch that one. I've watched several of his other videos. Thanks

So since it's in my tap. Will be always have a reading for it and that's when the Prime will be a benefit to add to the tank?

 

The ammonia in your tap is usually ammonium, which is harmless to fish.

 

If you were to hold off on doing a water change then your ammonia will decrease below 0.5 because your beneficial bacteria will have time to convert the ammonia that you add with your tap water. If you keep doing water changes then you are constantly adding in more ammonia which is then going to be able to be read in a water test.

When you add in prime, it convert ammonia into ammonium which is relatively harmless to your fish. Just make sure you add the prime to your tap water before you add it into your tank. this way you don't have to dose as much of prime because the ammonia is in a small area