Questions About Prime

Hello every0ne,

So finally my delivery arrived, one bottle of Prime. I've been having issues with ammonia after water changes lately. I haven't figured out why there's a problem, but I hurried and bought Prime right away. This is my first bottle ever, so today when I did a water change some questions came to mind:

Am I supposed to dose for the entire volume of the tank (30 gallon)? Or only the water I'm replacing?
Is it safe to use with other products such as AquaSafe?
Is it normal for the water to become cloudy after using it?
Will my API test results be accurate if I test the water right after using Prime?
How long does the detoxifying effect of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate last?

Thanks in advance!

 

HI there,
Prime removes chlorine and chloramine from water and detoxifies Ammonia,nitrite and Nitrate for 24-48 hours.
You should dose the volume of the entire tank in the new water, while doing a water change remember to turn off your filter then put in the new water and turn your filter back on.

I would wait 24 hours to add TSS after dosing Prime. Are you trying to cycle your tank? If so, I would just use Seachem Stability, it contains Benefical Bacteria that helps cycle your tank and can be instantly used with Prime.

Personally, I haven't used API test kits for myself but I believe Prime shouldn't affect the results.

 

I can answer a few of those questions. When doing water changes I dose for the whole tank in the water I'm adding back in. Your API test results will not be accurate after dosing prime bc it detoxifies ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate for 48 hours under 2ppm. I have never really noticed my water becoming cloudy...u can c the prime go in but quickly mixes with the water. Unfortunately I'm not familiar with aquasafe. Hopefully that helps.

 

If you do water changes with a Python, treat the entire tank. If you fill buckets, treat the bucket (2 drops per gallon).

 

I use Prime and the API Testers...I test the water 2-3 hours after a water change...if I think there is an issue in the tank I test before WC and I test the day after as well...the day after test tells me if I need to dose the tank after the 48 hrs is up

 

Is it safe to use with other products such as AquaSafe?

You don't need to use AquaSafe when dosing with Prime. Prime removes chlorine and chloramine.

 

Your API test results will not be accurate after dosing prime bc it detoxifies ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate for 48 hours under 2ppm.

From my experiences and understanding, Prime does not affect the test results at all. It also only detoxifies 1ppm from a standard dosage for 24-48. For this reason it is recommended, while cycling, to keep your ammonia and nitrites below 1ppm or add a double dose of Prime and to dose the full tank volume daily. You can safely dose 5x the recommended dosage of Prime in an emergency without harming/overdosing the fish.

 

HI there,
Prime removes chlorine and chloramine from water and detoxifies Ammonia,nitrite and Nitrate for 24-48 hours.
You should dose the volume of the entire tank in the new water, while doing a water change remember to turn off your filter then put in the new water and turn your filter back on.

I would wait 24 hours to add TSS after dosing Prime. Are you trying to cycle your tank? If so, I would just use Seachem Stability, it contains Benefical Bacteria that helps cycle your tank and can be instantly used with Prime.

Personally, I haven't used API test kits for myself but I believe Prime shouldn't affect the results.

No, I'm not trying to cycle. My tank is cycled and I'm not using TSS, I'm using AquaSafe.

If you do water changes with a Python, treat the entire tank. If you fill buckets, treat the bucket (2 drops per gallon).

I suck the water up using a siphon, but I put the water back using a bucket.

 

No, I'm not trying to cycle. My tank is cycled and I'm not using TSS, I'm using AquaSafe.

Why would you need to add AquaSafe?
Both are tap water conditioners.
Are you using it because it adds slime coat?

 

No, I'm not trying to cycle. My tank is cycled and I'm not using TSS, I'm using AquaSafe.

Do you treat the water before adding it to the tank?

If so you only need to add enough for the volume you're replacing.

If you are adding water straight from the tap then you would add enough Prime for the full volume directly to the tank and then start refilling it.

What Aquasafe product are you adding?

 

From my experiences and understanding, Prime does not affect the test results at all. It also only detoxifies 1ppm from a standard dosage for 24-48. For this reason it is recommended, while cycling, to keep your ammonia and nitrites below 1ppm or add a double dose of Prime and to dose the full tank volume daily. You can safely dose 5x the recommended dosage of Prime in an emergency without harming/overdosing the fish.

I'm not cycling, this is a fully cycled tank. After water changes my ammonia rises to 0.25 - 0.50 for some reason, though my tap water has 0 ammonia. This is why I was advised to use Prime until figuring out the problem.
When dosing Prime again after 24 - 48 hours do I still need to dose for the volume of the entire tank? And how do I know if it's necessary to dose already after 24 hours or if I can wait longer?

 

I'm not cycling, this is a fully cycled tank. After water changes my ammonia rises to 0.25 - 0.50 for some reason, though my tap water has 0 ammonia. This is why I was advised to use Prime until figuring out the problem.
When dosing Prime again after 24 - 48 hours do I still need to dose for the volume of the entire tank? And how do I know if it's necessary to dose already after 24 hours or if I can wait longer?

No, unless your cycling you won't need to re dose. However, if you're water Parameters are extremely high, you may re dose for emergency.

 

From my experiences and understanding, Prime does not affect the test results at all. It also only detoxifies 1ppm from a standard dosage for 24-48. For this reason it is recommended, while cycling, to keep your ammonia and nitrites below 1ppm or add a double dose of Prime and to dose the full tank volume daily. You can safely dose 5x the recommended dosage of Prime in an emergency without harming/overdosing the fish.

Thanku 4 correcting me. Sorry about that.

 

Why would you need to add AquaSafe?
Both are tap water conditioners.
Are you using it because it adds slime coat?

I don't know if I need to add AquaSafe that's why I ask. AquaSafe is what I've been using so far since Prime isn't sold in this country. I know both are conditioners, but like Prime detoxifies ammonia, nitrite and nitrate and AquaSafe doesn't, I thought that maybe there was something AquaSafe does that Prime doesn't, which would maybe make it necessary to use both.

 

I'm not cycling, this is a fully cycled tank. After water changes my ammonia rises to 0.25 - 0.50 for some reason, though my tap water has 0 ammonia. This is why I was advised to use Prime until figuring out the problem.
When dosing Prime again after 24 - 48 hours do I still need to dose for the volume of the entire tank? And how do I know if it's necessary to dose already after 24 hours or if I can wait longer?

Read my above post. If you have daily amounts of ammonia then I would add it daily. There is no way to be sure it's keeping it detoxified for over 24 hours.

 

0.25-0.50 Ammonia can cause damage.
When did you last do a water change?

 

No, unless your cycling you won't need to re dose. However, if you're water Parameters are extremely high, you may re dose for emergency.

So in my case I only redose Prime when doing water changes?

 

Thanku 4 correcting me. Sorry about that.

No problem.

 

0.25-0.50 Ammonia can cause damage.
When did you last do a water change?

2 hours ago.

 

I don't know if I need to add AquaSafe that's why I ask. AquaSafe is what I've been using so far since Prime isn't sold in this country. I know both are conditioners, but like Prime detoxifies ammonia, nitrite and nitrate and AquaSafe doesn't, I thought that maybe there was something AquaSafe does that Prime doesn't, which would maybe make it necessary to use both.

I don't think its nessecary to dose both.
The only think AquaSafe does is to add slime coat to the water whereas Prime helps maintain a fishes slime coat.

If you have high Ammonia levels I would continue to dose daily to help detoxify.

2 hours ago.

Alright, until you perform another water change I would continue to dose with Prime in order to detoxify your ammonia

 

Do you treat the water before adding it to the tank?

If so you only need to add enough for the volume you're replacing.

If you are adding water straight from the tap then you would add enough Prime for the full volume directly to the tank and then start refilling it.

What Aquasafe product are you adding?

I put the tap water in a bucket and add the conditioners, etc. to the water in the bucket.
AquaSafe is a Tetra product. It's a conditioner like Prime as far as I know, it just doesn't detoxifies ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

Alright, until you perform another water change I would continue to dose with Prime in order to detoxify your ammonia

Also if the ammonia is 0? When I do a water change my ammonia rises to 0.25 - 0.50. However, it goes down to 0 within 24 hours by itself.

I don't think its nessecary to dose both.
The only think AquaSafe does is to add slime coat to the water whereas Prime helps maintain a fishes slime coat.

If you have high Ammonia levels I would continue to dose daily to help detoxify.

No, it probably isn't necessary. I'm always a little fussy about changing products and such.

 

Also if the ammonia is 0? When I do a water change my ammonia rises to 0.25 - 0.50. However, it goes down to 0 within 24 hours by itself.

If your Ammonia is 0 you won't need to dose with Prime anymore. I would just continue to dose until it comes down to 0

No, it probably isn't necessary. I'm always a little fussy about changing products and such.

If you plan to stick to AquaSafe than it's fine but Seachem Prime is far more useful and better IMO.

 

Why would you need to add AquaSafe?
Both are tap water conditioners.
Are you using it because it adds slime coat?

Unless I am mistaken, Prime also helps slime coat (and does so while not clogging up things like Purigen with Aloe).

So in my case I only redose Prime when doing water changes?

If you are still having ammonia readings, well first of all you are not cycled. But yes, continue to dose daily for the tank volume if you see ammonia daily. You may see the ammonia after a WC because your water has chloramines in it, and when the chlorine is removed it leaves ammonia behind - this will be eaten by your biofilter but in the meantime (if you are using prime) it will hold it in the ammonium state which is non toxic to fish This effect only lasts 24-48 hours however so if you still see some the next day you should dose again.

As for the amount to add, as some others have stated above. If you are adding new water directly to the tank via something like a python you need to dose for the full tank volume. If you are adding fresh water to a bucket first you can treat for just the volume in the bucket, mix, and add.

 

Also if the ammonia is 0? When I do a water change my ammonia rises to 0.25 - 0.50. However, it goes down to 0 within 24 hours by itself.

This leads me to believe you have chloramines in your water. The Prime breaks the bond of chloramine(chlorine and ammonia). Then you will have measurable levels of ammonia, but the Prime also binds to it making it safe.

You will be fine only dosing during a water change but I would still dose for the whole tank volume. You would probably be fine only dosing the water you're adding though. Maybe just add a few drops extra. I just like to be more safe than sorry!

 

If you plan to stick to AquaSafe than it's fine but Seachem Prime is far more useful and better IMO.

Well, as long as I'm having this weird ammonia issue I will not be sticking to AquaSafe exclusively since it doesn't detoxify ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. So if I do not use Prime, my fish will suffer. This is why I bought Prime right away and has started using it, cause AquaSafe won't help with that.
I'm sure Prime is an excellent product, I just always get a little nervous when I change something.
How is it more useful?

 

Unless I am mistaken, Prime also helps slime coat (and does so while not clogging up things like Purigen with Aloe).

No, Prime only helps maintains a fish's slime coat and does not ADD slime coat

 

Well, as long as I'm having this weird ammonia issue I will not be sticking to AquaSafe exclusively since it doesn't detoxify ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. So if I do not use Prime, my fish will suffer. This is why I bought Prime right away and has started using it, cause AquaSafe won't help with that.
I'm sure Prime is an excellent product, I just always get a little nervous when I change something.
How is it more useful?

Besides it doing what's already been explained it just lasts much longer! It's very concentrated and more cost effective.

 

Well, as long as I'm having this weird ammonia issue I will not be sticking to AquaSafe exclusively since it doesn't detoxify ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. So if I do not use Prime, my fish will suffer. This is why I bought Prime right away and has started using it, cause AquaSafe won't help with that.
I'm sure Prime is an excellent product, I just always get a little nervous when I change something.
How is it more useful?

I find it more useful based on my personal experience.

Prime:
Prime detoxifies Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate for 24-48 hours.
Can be used with Seachem Stability for a faster cycle.
Removes Chlorine and Chloramine.
Helps maintain a fishes slime coat.

Tetra AquaSafe:
Does not detoxify Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate.
Removes Chlorine and Chloramine.
Adds Slime Coat.

Prime has the crucial factor of detoxifying Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate which can be very useful at times. This factor can contribute to even saving your fishes life.

 

Unless I am mistaken, Prime also helps slime coat (and does so while not clogging up things like Purigen with Aloe).


If you are still having ammonia readings, well first of all you are not cycled. But yes, continue to dose daily for the tank volume if you see ammonia daily. You may see the ammonia after a WC because your water has chloramines in it, and when the chlorine is removed it leaves ammonia behind - this will be eaten by your biofilter but in the meantime (if you are using prime) it will hold it in the ammonium state which is non toxic to fish This effect only lasts 24-48 hours however so if you still see some the next day you should dose again.

As for the amount to add, as some others have stated above. If you are adding new water directly to the tank via something like a python you need to dose for the full tank volume. If you are adding fresh water to a bucket first you can treat for just the volume in the bucket, mix, and add.

I'm quite confident that this has nothing to do with cycling. My tank has been cycled for months with steady 0 readings (except for nitrates, of course) up until about a week ago.
I'm not still getting ammonia readings, I've started getting them again.

Besides it doing what's already been explained it just lasts much longer! It's very concentrated and more cost effective.

Yes, definitely a lot cheaper. I will have this bottle for a very long time.

 

I'm quite confident that this has nothing to do with cycling. My tank has been cycled for months with steady 0 readings (except for nitrates, of course) up until about a week ago.
I'm not still getting ammonia readings, I've started getting them again.

What's your current stocking?
When did you last add a group of fish?

 

I find it more useful based on my personal experience.

Prime:
Prime detoxifies Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate for 24-48 hours.
Can be used with Seachem Stability for a faster cycle.
Removes Chlorine and Chloramine.
Helps maintain a fishes slime coat.

Tetra AquaSafe:
Does not detoxify Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate.
Removes Chlorine and Chloramine.
Adds Slime Coat.

Prime has the crucial factor of detoxifying Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate which can be very useful at times. This factor can contribute to even saving your fishes life.

Sounds great. I have to order it from England and pay for shipping and such, but it is still way more cheap than AquaSafe.

 

I'm quite confident that this has nothing to do with cycling. My tank has been cycled for months with steady 0 readings (except for nitrates, of course) up until about a week ago.
I'm not still getting ammonia readings, I've started getting them again.

Most likely your water company recently dosed chloramines into your water. I can tell when my water company doses every month because my tap starts smelling like pool water. I add extra Prime for that week.

AquaSafe has aloe vera to create a false slime coat. This has been debated as actually not being helpful and even harmful to some animals like axolotl.

Prime just helps them maintain their natural slime coat.

 

What's your current stocking?
When did you last add a group of fish?

This tank is a 30 gallon long containing:
2 x BN plecos (about 2.7 inches)
5 x Amano shrimps
8 x RCS
1 x Zebra nerite

They've been added in this order. The snail was added 3 days ago.

 

Most likely your water company recently dosed chloramines into your water. I can tell when my water company doses every month because my tap starts smelling like pool water. I add extra Prime for that week.

AquaSafe has aloe vera to create a false slime coat. This has been debated as actually not being helpful and even harmful to some animals like axolotl.

Prime just helps them maintain their natural slime coat.

Even if the water company did dose Chloramines they would have already been eliminated because of the use of AquaSafe before the new water is added to the tank.

This tank is a 30 gallon long containing:
2 x BN plecos (about 2.7 inches)
5 x Amano shrimps
8 x RCS
1 x Zebra nerite

They've been added in this order. The snail was added 3 days ago.

The stocking shouldn't be a problem then, not overstocked at all.

 

Most likely your water company recently dosed chloramines into your water. I can tell when my water company doses every month because my tap starts smelling like pool water. I add extra Prime for that week.

AquaSafe has aloe vera to create a false slime coat. This has been debated as actually not being helpful and even harmful to some animals like axolotl.

Prime just helps them maintain their natural slime coat.

Sounds right. I've had other threads debating this and some people have suggested the same. This has been going on for more than a week, though. Does this mean that I'm suddenly not cycled anymore?

 

This tank is a 30 gallon long containing:
2 x BN plecos (about 2.7 inches)
5 x Amano shrimps
8 x RCS
1 x Zebra nerite

They've been added in this order. The snail was added 3 days ago.

Do you feed your shrimp a lot? If so, that could be a contributing factor to the rise of ammonia, shrimp have very high metabolism which pretty much means the more they eat, the more they poop.

 

Sounds great. I have to order it from England and pay for shipping and such, but it is still way more cheap than AquaSafe.

If you decide to stick with it they do sell it up to 1gal I believe.

Just FYI since I made the mistake already myself... Seachem "Safe" is NOT THE SAME as prime, I thought it was the dry concentrated version, but it is not. It is almost the same, but not quite. No slime coat protection and no detox ability of heavy metals (it does still remove chlorine/chloramine, and detox ammonia, nitrite, nitrate).
But the biggest difference which I wish they made more clear on the bottle - if you premix it to 'make your own prime' it only has a shelf life of 24 hours - FYI since I don't think most are aware of this if you are temped to buy the even more concentrated dry version to save on shipping costs.

 

Even if the water company did dose Chloramines they would have already been eliminated because of the use of AquaSafe before the new water is added to the tank.

Nevermind this post, I misunderstood your post

 

Even if the water company did dose Chloramines they would have already been eliminated because of the use of AquaSafe before the new water is added to the tank.

Chemicals can't just be "eliminated" or "removed" as some put it. They are either bonded to make a safe form or they are broken apart into other chemicals.

 

If you decide to stick with it they do sell it up to 1gal I believe.

Just FYI since I made the mistake already myself... Seachem "Safe" is NOT THE SAME as prime, I thought it was the dry concentrated version, but it is not. It is almost the same, but not quite. No slime coat protection and no detox ability of heavy metals (it does still remove chlorine/chloramine, and detox ammonia, nitrite, nitrate).
But the biggest difference which I wish they made more clear on the bottle - if you premix it to 'make your own prime' it only has a shelf life of 24 hours - FYI since I don't think most are aware of this if you are temped to buy the even more concentrated dry version to save on shipping costs.

Prime and Safe are definitely not the same, IMO Prime is much better in terms of beneficial factors