Using Prime During Cycling

[Torchwood~Mindfreak]

I'm currently cycling with 5 Zebra Danios. I was wondering if its okay to add Prime to detoxify the ammonia for the fish but if It is still benificial to the bacteria or is just making the cycle pointless.

The makers of prime say "Prime® may be used during tank cycling to alleviate ammonia/nitrite toxicity." But that doesn't really explain much. Can anyone help me with this? Thanks

 

[Torchwood~Mindfreak]

Oh whoops sorry you had to move this, I couldn't decide which forum to post it in.

 

[Tolak]

I've never had any problems using Prime in a cycling tank. Prime converts ammonia to ammonium, which is used the same as ammonia by your bio filtration, but is harmless to fish at levels found in a cycling aquarium.

Prime does detoxify nitrite, this is a proprietary substance in Prime that I've been trying for years to nail down. They consider it a trade secret chemical, and are very tight lipped as to what it is.

 

[chrisbassist]

My worry would be not knowing where you stand with your tests. How much of the chemicals are harmful and how much aren't. I'd do it with water changes anyway just so when I test I know where I stand

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, Chris is correct. It doesn't work attempt to use Prime on an ongoing basis to detoxify the ammonia and nitrite of a cycle situation rather than use proper fish-in cycling technique. In a fish-in cycle you must be prepared to perform large water changes, sometimes daily. The quanitity and type of fish you choose is an attempt to lower the number of water changes but if you miss the target then you must do the water changes to save the fish.

The goal in fish-in is to figure out by trial and error what percentage and frequency of water changes will keep both ammonia and nitrite(NO2) at or below 0.25ppm until you can be home again for the next test and possible water change.

When you do the water changes they must be done with good technique. The water goes out via a gravel-cleaning siphon with the substrate being cleaned as you go. The fresh tap water should be conditioned (with the Prime, which indeed is the best!) at about 1.5x to 2x the amount instructed, but not more than 2x during cycling. It should be roughly temperature matched (your hand is good enough for this.) The Prime will detox the ammonia and nitrite for about 24 hours, but it will be the dilution of the water change that will really make it safe for the fish. When ammonia is detoxed to ammonium it is still just as usable by the bacteria, likewise for nitrite.

~~waterdrop~~
edit: ps. The 0.25 crossover number needs to be determined by a good liquid-reagent test kit. Paper strips are not advised.

 

[Torchwood~Mindfreak]

Ok thanks guys, yeah I have a liquid test but am trying to figure out which forum to post my journal in. I see the marines have a different section for theres is there one for freshwater to?

 

[chrisbassist]

just post your journal here.

 

[waterdrop]

If you have zebra danios then we presume your goal is a freshwater tank! If so, then you're in the right place for having your cycle watched.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[OldMan47]

If you are doing a marine cycle, you had better post there. Many of us know nothing about cycling a marine tank. If you are working on a freshwater tank, this is the right place. Again, salt water specialists may be a bit behind the curve when it comes to cycling a fresh water tank although lots of them started on this side of things.