'Overdose' of Prime necessary to detox nitrite & nitrate?

I've always assumed that Prime detoxes nitrite & nitrate to some degree regardless of dosage. For instance ... on the 50ml (1.7oz bottle) the directions state "use 2 drops per gallon". I assumed that 'standard' dose would detox atleast some nitrite and nitrate (and prehaps it does). ... However, I found the following interesting; not quite sure what to make of it though.

The Q&A is taken from Seachem's site under the heading of Prime FAQ.

Q: How does Prime make a difference in reducing Nitrates?

A: The detoxification of nitrite and nitrate by Prime (when used at elevated levels) is not well understood from a mechanistic standpoint. The most likely explanation is that the nitrite and nitrate is removed in a manner similar to the way ammonia is removed; i.e. it is bound and held in a inert state until such time that bacteria in the biological filter are able to take a hold of it, break it apart and use it. Two other possible scenarios are reduction to nitrogen (N2) gas or conversion into a benign organic nitrogen compound.
I wish we had some more "concrete" explanation, but the end result is the same, it does actually detoxify nitrite and nitrate. This was unexpected chemically and thus initially we were not even aware of this, however we received numerous reports from customers stating that when they overdosed with Prime they were able to reduce or eliminate the high death rates they experienced when their nitrite and nitrate levels were high. We have received enough reports to date to ensure that this is no fluke and is in fact a verifiable function of the product.

The directions on a bottle of Prime also states that to detoxify nitrite in an emergency ... up to 5x the normal dose can be used. Interestingly, Amquel+ if dosed by drops per gallon calls for 10 drops according to Kordon's site. As previously mentioned ... Prime if dosed by drops per gallon is 2 drops. Thus, 5x the normal dose would be 10 drops per gallon.

Nowhere have I read/heard of Seachem stating approximately how much nitrite/nitrate Prime's standard dosage detoxes. Kordon however states that Amquel+ at standard dosage detoxes "at least 2.0 mg/L (=2.0 ppm) of nitrites, and at least 13 ppm (=13 mg/L) of nitrates." Keeping in mind standard dosage is (using drops per gallon in this case) 2 drops p/g (Prime) and 10 drops p/g (Amquel+)

In any event ... I love and have used both products. Just thought it was somewhat interesting.

 

wow! you're a super sleuth!

great info!

I usually add in another drop or two (only) for good measure, as I figured an overdose couldn't hurt.

 

seachem even says on the bottle that a double dose is safe, so I don't even think I'd consider 1 or 2 drops more to be an overdose.

 

When I cycled with fish I always used 5x dose so that it detoxed nitrites.

 

nice post ccb, I was curious about this also.

 

My 55 gal tank is measuring high nitrates and a little high nitrites. I've used the "emergency" amount of prime (5X) two days ago, and then yesterday I added about half that amount, and while the nitrate level improved some, it is still in the high stress range. The ammonia level is great, though. Should I use more or what? Currently the nitrates are very high, the nitrites are just a tad high, and ammonia is not measuring any. No fish have died, but I'm worried, both about them being stressed and about using too much prime!

 

My 55 gal tank is measuring high nitrates and a little high nitrites. I've used the "emergency" amount of prime (5X) two days ago, and then yesterday I added about half that amount, and while the nitrate level improved some, it is still in the high stress range. The ammonia level is great, though. Should I use more or what? Currently the nitrates are very high, the nitrites are just a tad high, and ammonia is not measuring any. No fish have died, but I'm worried, both about them being stressed and about using too much prime!

Do a large water change,and add 3 caps of Prime. Do this every day until the tank cycles.

 

Thanks. I'll try that!

 

I have also attempted to find the answer. Somewhere along the line I read that each dose neutralized 1PPM nitrite, but was from a user of the product who had done some personal testing, so not a true scientific experiment with a control. Many on other forums have used 10 times the dose with success. And, I have used more than this in an extreme emergency for a couple of days to help save the fish involved as their tank had been greatly neglected. I was able to save every rescued fish.

Per Seachem, each dose is able to neutralize

approximately 1 mg/L ammonia, 4 mg/L chloramine, or 5 mg/L chlorine

beyond this, it remains a mystery. Even Seachem speculates that the reason NO2 and NO3 are affected is because the ammonia is controlled early, which indirectly causes the NO2/NO3 to be reduced.