Seachem Prime

[Eelzor]

I was recently cycling a friends saltwater tank and I was about to use Prime to dechlorinate chlorine and choramines, however it also claims to "Detoxify Ammonia". Obviously ammonia is what is needed to begin the cycle. So should I add it or will it stall the cycle somehow? And will it show up using a test kit?

 

[SirMinion]

I'm not familiar wth the specific product you mention, but most 'ammonia detoxifiers' contain a chemical that bonds with ammonia into a less toxic compound.
This compound is usually still read as ammonia by standard test kits and can therefore give misleading readings.
In addition to this, it also locks the ammonia away from the ammonia eating bacteria stalling your cycle.

I'd suggest finding another water conditioner to use for the time being.

 

[Tolak]

Prime is one of the best dechlorinators out there, but not if you are cycling a tank. It will lock up the ammonia and really slow down, if not stop the cycle. Get a small bottle of something that treats just chlorine & chloramines.

Tolak