Does Prime make ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates safe for 24 - 48 hours or not?

So I was reading a post yesterday that got me confused. Does Prime make ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates safe for 24 - 48 hours or not? I use it sometimes to protect my fish from nitrates if I’m going to do a water change in the next couple of days. Now I hear it may not do what it claims to do. Does anyone know?

 

Yes, prime immobilizes ammonia, into a safe form of it called ammonium, which will still be dangerous for fish.

I would always dose a full tank dosage after each waterchange, and be dillegent with checking the parameters midweek before water changes.

 

I always do tank cleaning on Sunday and water changes on Wednesday. However, if I have to skip my Wednesday on rare occasions, I have dosed with Prime to protect from the affects of ammonia/Nitrate. Is this ok?

 

What’s the difference between the two?
Sounds like you are doing everything properly.

 

The bottle says it detoxifies all 3.

 

I thought so too. I’ll try to find the post I read last night.

 

This was under post “Sick Platies” in Fresh Water Fish Disease yesterday.

 

Hmm, Seachem claims that it does, but they don't have any concrete proof of it (in a nutshell), they make this claim based off of reports from customers. I don't usually recommend it to use for anything but ammonia though, if nitrates are an issue, maybe try sticking one of those pothos plants in the filter to help out a bit if you are concerned about it going too high?
It does make me wonder though...I use matrix in my filters, and the claim is the same for that as well. I've not put it to the test though

 

This was under post “Sick Platies” in Fresh Water Fish Disease yesterday.

Nitrates would have to be at extremely high levels for an extended period to start harming your fish. As long as you do your water change within a day or two of when you normally do it. You'll be fine.