Im Confused Over Decholrinser And Prime....

[Behold]

Is there a difference?

 

[doresy]

A dechlorinator is just that and it works instantly.....Prime? not sure what that is sorry, but i'm sure someone does

 

[-germ-]

I could rant for hours about Prime, i won't, yes it is a dechlorinator amongst other things, in addition it removes many heavy metals and also (this is the good bit) de-toxifies nitrite and nitrate and removes dangerous ammonia which it converts into a non-toxic form...
It can provide problems with ammonia readings though, but check the prime FAQ on SeaChems site for a comprehensive explanation and a way to test accurately.
The link to their site is in my signature underneath this post.
It also smells of strawberries so is a pleasure to use

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

SeaChem Prime is a dechlorinator / water conditioner.

 

[Behold]

Isnt bacteria there to remove ammonia??? surley having the water chemicals removing it will imbalance this???

 

[-germ-]

No because it is still there, but in a non-toxic form....
I'd advise you to e-mail Prime if you have scientific queries as my scientific knowledge verges between slim and none.

 

[Behold]

I guess i just see that a proper cycled tank should combat the ammonia fast and efficiantly.... But i am new to this and may be talking out my rectum!!!

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

the reason that prime detoxifys ammonia is that Ammonia is a byproduct of the breakdown of chloramines.

 

[-germ-]

I guess i just see that a proper cycled tank should combat the ammonia fast and efficiantly.... But i am new to this and may be talking out my rectum!!!

What? I reckon your rectum speaketh much nonsense!
It will still 'combat the ammonia fast and efficiently' (corrected for spelling) as ammonia is still there, but in a non-toxic form, i think, but don't quote me on this, that it is converted into an ionized form (maybe the other way round) which isn't toxic, but the ammonia is still there. I have used prime to cycle a tank with daily testing then converted to a basic dechlor, no issues or rises in ammonia or nitrite resulted from this.
Plus its one of the cheapest dechlors going.....
Ps; it doesn't smell of strawberries... sulphur actually

 

[doresy]

I've learned something too but personally I would just use a regular dechlorinator ONLY and leave the ammonia and nitrItes to the filter

If you are doing a fishless cycle, if you just use pure ammonia and regular dechlorinator you know exactly where you are IMO

 

[-germ-]

Agree with dorsey completely
Its a matter of personal opinion, i always reccomend people to perform fishless cycling, unless they have already gone fish in... thats when i recommend prime.
I personally believe fish in cycles are possible, to be performed safely and would perform another myself reasonably confidently, but realistically fishless IS the safest option.
In addition i didn't only use Prime i did a huge amount of water testing and water changing.
In the end though, once the tank is cycled is just becomes a very good, cheap dechlorinator.
Check with your LFS what they use, i know 2 around here that use Prime the others i've never noticed...

I don't know anyone who uses it who wouldn't recommend it, but i could quite easily be proven wrong (especially after making such a cocky statement)....

 

[Behold]

I have leaned a bit too.....

well at least for a fishless cycle im gonna find a dechlorinator with out and ammonia additive as i will need to test the count.

As to ongoing im not sure.

Doresy what do you use as a dechlorinator?

 

[Behold]

ps i have heard tapsafe is another people use on here it looks to be all but the ammonia remover....

 

[doresy]

I am not loyal to any particular brand. I have used aquaone because I got a load free with the tanks. I just get any regular dechlorinator from the LFS......usually the cheapest as I use loads (2 tanks every 5 days and usually put in a bit more than suggested)

EDIT.....yeah used tapsafe too

 

[rdd1952]

Isnt bacteria there to remove ammonia??? surley having the water chemicals removing it will imbalance this???

That is correct. A lot of people use Prime and I'm sure it's good stuff. Personally, I prefer to use a dechlorinator that has no effect on ammonia as there shouldn't be any in a properly cycled tank anyway.

The one thing I have never understood or seen in print is how long these products like Prime or Ammo-Lock actually lock or detoxify ammonia. In otherwords, if you have ammonia in your tank as in a cycle with fish and you add one of those products now making the ammonia nontoxic, at what point does it lose its effectiveness and the ammonia becomes toxic again. Since there is still a nontoxic form (ammonium most likely) in the tank, you will still get a positive reading on your test so how do you know it hasn't become toxic again.

Also, how long after being added to the tank is it effective. If you do a large water change during a fish in cycle and add prime which detoxifies the .25ppm of ammonia that are still in the water, does it also detoxify the ammonia that the fish emit later in the day or tomorrow or is that still toxic?

Sorry to get off track. Just so deep thoughs.