Seachem prime ingestion

So this is probably the wrong forum to ask this kind of question as it's not actually related with fish... Would probably be best on a prepper forum, but I'm hoping there's any chemist around here that can help me out.
I was wondering if I could store dehumidifier water for drinking, but I realised it might be contaminated with heavy metals so it's probably not the wisest idea... Now, I remembered seachem prime removes heavy metals from water supposedly... Was wondering if this was a safe practice, if anyone has had this probably stupid idea before lol. I have drank water treated with seachem prime (by mistake) and I'm still alive. But wondering if its a good idea or not. Thanks and let me know if the post is not allowed in here I'll just remove it.

 

Wow this post takes us on a wild ride! I'm not a chemist but I love this question haha.

Okay so my first thought, is why do you want to drink dehumidifier water XD by its very nature it's going to contain whatever aerosols were in the environment it sucked the moisture from... Kinda gross! I would probably want to boil it first, at the very least. Like heavy metals would be my last concern

Okay, now onto prime. I have no idea how it would actually remove heavy metals so I will research that in a minute, but I do know that it's more or less done it's job and is inactive/negligible in the water column after 24 hours. What it actually turns into chemically, I'm unsure of.

I did research once if it was safe to eat fish that had been in water you've used prime in (since I like to purge clams and mussels I collect for a day or two), and from what I saw on the seachem website, that answer is yes. They won't outright say it because it becomes a liability, but they do heavily imply that it's most likely safe. However, that's a bit different from drinking the water.

I'll report back once I have an answer about the heavy metals!
Okay so this is what I found on heavy metals on seachems forum:

"The standard dose of Prime (1 mL/10 gallons) will remove:

Copper - 2.6 ppm in 10 gallons
OR
Lead - 8.5 ppm in 10 gallons
OR
Nickel - 2.4 ppm in 10 gallons

We say "OR" between each because that is the maximum amount of each that can be removed assuming none of the other components are present; so for example, one could remove 1.3 ppm copper and 4.4 ppm lead or any other variety of differing ratios between them"

"Prime is not a chelating agent, so it does not work that way with heavy metals. Soluble heavy metals (metal ions that can be absorbed) are in an oxidized state. Prime reduces metals, which detoxifies them. Note that it does not remove metals from the water (it just detoxifies them), so you really should have a decent water supply or RO/DI equipment. Please also note again that we talk about detoxifying heavy metals found in tap water at typical concentrations; we do not sell Prime to detoxify heavy metals at abnormally high concentrations."

And, I just learned that prime can also be used to detoxify nitrate!? At https://e-lss.jp/seachem/prime.php#:~:text=Prime® detoxifies nitrite and,and will not impact pH.

"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."

 

I will have to answer a question with a question. What kind of heavy metals are you concerned about? To be perfectly honest I have no idea what heavy metals water conditioners are supposed to remove. If we can't answer that question we won't know of Prime or any water conditioner will remove what ever it is you're concerned about. Second, wouldn't it be better to just use something like a pur or britta to filter your drinking water?

A better use for dehumidifier water might be for watering plants.

 

Thank you very much for the input! I am the weird kind of person that likes to prepare for disasters. That being said. I always have a fair amount of food and water on me. And I was wondering if I could use this water to drink on a pretty bad situation. I wouldn't drink it otherwise. Some quick research showed that there are probably heavy metals diluted on the water from that.

I am just unsure of how concentrated it might be... Might have to find somewhere to properly test that water. To prove my theory (or not).
But thanks to Faes input, I now believe it probably wouldn't work as prime probably only works on small amounts that might build up in the tap water. The water would have to be boiled and added minerals, but the probable heavy metals, makes me think might not be good to consume. Specially during some sort of disaster lol

Anyway thank you very much for this information
I did some research but couldn't find this anywhere

 

Dude - I'll mail you a few cases of water?

 

I would strongly recommend against this. Unless you're going to invest in the proper equipment to do it right. In which case you wouldn't need to use Prime, because that equipment is going to remove the heavy metals anyway.

Heavy metals, like lead, are an issue with dehumidifier water. But so are biological contaminants like mold, mildew, and disease causing bacteria like legionella which causes legionnaires disease. 10% of people who get legionnaires disease die from it... so yeah.

Prime may or may not deal with the heavy metals. But it certainly does not deal with the biological problems. Those biological problems will only be made worse in storage. That doesn't mean you can't use your dehumidifier water. But it does mean that you need to invest in some equipment to make that water potable. The CDC has some basic information on your options:

Technical Information on Home Water Treatment Technologies | Home Water Treatment | Drinking Water | Healthy Water | CDC

If you're going to do this, get the proper equipment. Taking an amateur DIY approach with your drinking water is a very bad idea. There is a reason that governments usually take care of providing potable water. They spend a lot of money on qualified scientists and engineers, who build expensive infrastructure for purification, storage, and distribution. Because when people are left to figure it out for themselves, they do silly things like adding Seachem Prime to dehumidifier water, storing it for 6 months, and then get sick and die from legionnaires disease.

I would really like to not see that story in the news. So forget about the Prime, and invest in the equipment you need to do this safely, or don't do it at all.

 

Thank you very much for the input! I am the weird kind of person that likes to prepare for disasters. That being said. I always have a fair amount of food and water on me. And I was wondering if I could use this water to drink on a pretty bad situation. I wouldn't drink it otherwise. Some quick research showed that there are probably heavy metals diluted on the water from that.

I am just unsure of how concentrated it might be... Might have to find somewhere to properly test that water. To prove my theory (or not).
But thanks to Faes input, I now believe it probably wouldn't work as prime probably only works on small amounts that might build up in the tap water. The water would have to be boiled and added minerals, but the probable heavy metals, makes me think might not be good to consume. Specially during some sort of disaster lol

Anyway thank you very much for this information
I did some research but couldn't find this anywhere

Haha happy to help, I love weird thought experiments.

Can I ask why it would have heavy metals in it? Like where are they coming from? It would have to be from in the dehumidifier, wouldn't it?

I would also probably boil it, but why would you have to remineralize?

Honestly if you were in some kind of disaster, consuming heavy metals would be the last of your concerns. I think youd crack that sucker open and drink it quicker than you'd think if there was no other options xD

One thing you might find interesting: in a disaster, such as a bad earthquake or tornado that cuts your area off from everyone, it's recommended that you fill your tub + whatever you can with as much water as you can. Since it's most likely the water mains have been damaged or will be shut off, so they probably won't work for long. Guess that's a good reason to keep your tub clean

I'm surprised you're not asking about drinking fish tank water honestly LOL

 

I would strongly recommend against this. Unless you're going to invest in the proper equipment to do it right. In which case you wouldn't need to use Prime, because that equipment is going to remove the heavy metals anyway.

Heavy metals, like lead, are an issue with dehumidifier water. But so are biological contaminants like mold, mildew, and disease causing bacteria like legionella which causes legionnaires disease. 10% of people who get legionnaires disease die from it... so yeah.

Prime may or may not deal with the heavy metals. But it certainly does not deal with the biological problems. Those biological problems will only be made worse in storage. That doesn't mean you can't use your dehumidifier water. But it does mean that you need to invest in some equipment to make that water potable. The CDC has some basic information on your options:

Technical Information on Home Water Treatment Technologies | Home Water Treatment | Drinking Water | Healthy Water | CDC

If you're going to do this, get the proper equipment. Taking an amateur DIY approach with your drinking water is a very bad idea. There is a reason that governments usually take care of providing potable water. They spend a lot of money on qualified scientists and engineers, who build expensive infrastructure for purification, storage, and distribution. Because when people are left to figure it out for themselves, they do silly things like adding Seachem Prime to dehumidifier water, storing it for 6 months, and then get sick and die from legionnaires disease.

I would really like to not see that story in the news. So forget about the Prime, and invest in the equipment you need to do this safely, or don't do it at all.

Thanks! I was more worried about the chemicals in it, because I would certainly boil it for a long while before I drink it...which I suppose would kill those bugs you suggested? I might have to do some research on that. But as for the chemicals, I'm not not sure so it's probably best to discard the idea.

Haha happy to help, I love weird thought experiments.

Can I ask why it would have heavy metals in it? Like where are they coming from? It would have to be from in the dehumidifier, wouldn't it?

I would also probably boil it, but why would you have to remineralize?

Honestly if you were in some kind of disaster, consuming heavy metals would be the last of your concerns. I think youd crack that sucker open and drink it quicker than you'd think if there was no other options xD

One thing you might find interesting: in a disaster, such as a bad earthquake or tornado that cuts your area off from everyone, it's recommended that you fill your tub + whatever you can with as much water as you can. Since it's most likely the water mains have been damaged or will be shut off, so they probably won't work for long. Guess that's a good reason to keep your tub clean

I'm surprised you're not asking about drinking fish tank water honestly LOL

Yeah I suppose heavy metals from the dehumidifier itself. That's what they claim on the internet. Best not to play with it. Too much uncertainties.

As for the mineralization, water from dehumidifiers come as distilled water. It's not safe to drink as is, because it lacks the necessary minerals we need.

Fish tank water is very difficult to make it drinkable. And definitely would need to boil it. Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are toxic to humans as well. Also there's fertilizers and whatever chemicals you add to the water to make it good for the specific fish you have. I've done some research on that matter, but it would need a lot of plants to consume the nitrates and whatnot, and it would probably take a while, which makes it a bad idea if you need water on an emergency.

 

Thanks! I was more worried about the chemicals in it, because I would certainly boil it for a long while before I drink it...which I suppose would kill those bugs you suggested? I might have to do some research on that. But as for the chemicals, I'm not not sure so it's probably best to discard the idea.

In an emergency, drinking boiled water from your dehumidifier is a relatively safe option. The heavy metals aren't so much of a concern for drinking a small quantity. You don't want to do this for very long. But if you need a bit of water to get you through a couple days, then drinking some boiled dehumidifier water is definitely better than dehydration.

But you mentioned water storage, which implies that you want to prepare and keep a larger quantity of this water on hand. Boiling isn't a great option for larger quantities. Its expensive, and labor intensive, and only takes care of the biological stuff. Plus it could be difficult to do if you don't have power in an emergency.

If you want to generate and store a good quantity of water from your dehumidifier for an emergency, then investing in the proper purification and storage equipment is the safest, most reliable way to go. The greater the quantity, the greater the risk for something to go wrong. So the greater caution you need to take.

But honestly, I'd just go out and buy a bunch of water ahead of time. Its much easier, and probably cheaper. Use the dehumidifier water to flush your toilet.

 

In an emergency, drinking boiled water from your dehumidifier is a relatively safe option. The heavy metals aren't so much of a concern for drinking a small quantity. You don't want to do this for very long. But if you need a bit of water to get you through a couple days, then drinking some boiled dehumidifier water is definitely better than dehydration.

But you mentioned water storage, which implies that you want to prepare and keep a larger quantity of this water on hand. Boiling isn't a great option for larger quantities. Its expensive, and labor intensive, and only takes care of the biological stuff. Plus it could be difficult to do if you don't have power in an emergency.

If you want to generate and store a good quantity of water from your dehumidifier for an emergency, then investing in the proper purification and storage equipment is the safest, most reliable way to go. The greater the quantity, the greater the risk for something to go wrong. So the greater caution you need to take.

But honestly, I'd just go out and buy a bunch of water ahead of time. Its much easier, and probably cheaper. Use the dehumidifier water to flush your toilet.

Yeah too much hassle for just a few gallons of water. I was planning on storing it and boil it when the time comes. But I guess I could store it for other purposes, I kinda feel bad, being a prepper and wasting these gallons every single day. But good to know I could drink a little if it was really really needed. I have plenty of water. I was just wondering if there was a better idea than throwing this water down the toilet everyday. I will store it for toilet and cleaning. Thank you very much for the help

 

Note to self: clean bathtub this weekend, or next year - whichever comes first, or whichever I remember first!

 

I know right! Hahhah not that mine is dirty, but there's always leftover shampoo or something, best to wash all of it when showering lol you never know when you have to drink from it.
Thanks everyone for the tips, I'll be making another weird post soon about how I can use my aquarium stuff in my prepping

 

Yeah too much hassle for just a few gallons of water. I was planning on storing it and boil it when the time comes. But I guess I could store it for other purposes, I kinda feel bad, being a prepper and wasting these gallons every single day. But good to know I could drink a little if it was really really needed. I have plenty of water. I was just wondering if there was a better idea than throwing this water down the toilet everyday. I will store it for toilet and cleaning. Thank you very much for the help

I mean, if you aren't throwing the dehumidifier water down the toilet, then you're throwing perfectly good potable water down the toilet.




Something like this would probably be safer. Also, you can order water purification tablets (or even something like a lifestraw) online

 

Pretty sure Prime is using some amine compound that is actually an industrial plastic adhesive. I wouldn't ingest it tbh

Here is API's patent: US5082573A - Method for detoxifying ammonia and chloramine in aquatic environments - Google Patents

The chemical is 2-Methylpentamethylenediamine (MPMD)

Seachem is likely licensing it (which is common in the aquarium industry) or using something similar

 

If already mentioned in this thread, I apologize - what about using it for your garden, house plants etc?