Water Conditioner?

[Gary D]

Hello,

Complete noob here - and first post

I am about to set up my first tank and would like to do fishless cycling.

What sort of Water Conditioner should I use?

A colleague has recommended Seachem Prime. But this says it not only removes chlorine and chloramine, but also says:

Prime™ converts ammonia into a safe, non-toxic form that is readily removed by the tank’s biofilter.

Prime™ may be used during tank cycling to alleviate ammonia/nitrite toxicity.

Prime™ detoxifies nitrite and nitrate, allowing the biofilter to more efficiently remove them.

I would have thought that was counterproductive?

Are there any recommendations for products that just remove the chlorine and chloramine?

Thanks.

I think this question will be the first of many

Gary.

 

[chrisbassist]

Prime is excellent, and although you won't need some of the bits it does, it also won't do any harm.

It also works out much cheaper because of how concentrated it is.

 

[Twinklecaz]

You reckon it's worth using as a water condioner? I'll get some if it's that good.

 

[chrisbassist]

Yes I do.
I used to use the nutrafin stuff. Which was a standard one. 5ml treats 38l or something. Prime, 5ml treats 200l. So even though it's a little more expensive to buy, saves a lot of wasted money getting more.

And when you have fish in, it has the added benefits of detoxing ammonia and nitrite. But into a form which the bacteria will still feed on. And in my experience with a fish in cycle, actually prefered eating, and got through faster. Allowing faster growth rates.

 

[scobie140]

I changed to seachem prime and never looked back

 

[Gary D]

chrisbassist,

Thanks for the quick response.

So the fact that it "de-toxifies" the ammonia and nitrates, doesn't affect the whole process when fishless cycling with ammonia then? Or gives "false" readings when testing - as I believe some of these other products can do that lock the ammonia?
That is what I was concerned about.

Cheers,
Gary.

 

[chrisbassist]

If you are fishless cycling then you have no worry because you don't need to do water changes.

I do know that nitrite will still read fully on the tests, and although seachem say that the ammonia tests don't work properly, most peoples experience is that it still shows up properly. Since our tests can't see the difference between the 2 forms.

 

[drobbyb]

Just to clarify: It does in fact convert ammonia into a compound called ammonium, but the bacteria that eat ammonia will eat ammonium just as well. It is perfectly safe to use during fishless cycling, and I have been using it for years.

 

[waterdrop]

Yup, agree, and just to throw another voice in, my feeling is that the majority of experienced hobbyists here feel Prime is far and away the best condtioner for beginners to be using for the first year or so and often we see members just keep on using it. WD

 

[DD2510]

i also switched over to prime and happy i did..

 

[OldMan47]

The Prime is much like any other dechlorinator but has the added advantage of being very concentrated. That means that the half litre bottle I got two years ago has a long way to go in my fish room. Even with the water changes I do on about 25 tanks, I have several years to go on that one bottle. The bottle is still well over half full.

 

[talisker]

i'm switching to prime as well much better value than aqua safe

 

[Fantail_John]

I was told that Prime is the best to use, but i can't get it in any of my local shops? so i looked on Ebay and a good price but adding the P&P it's a bit expensive.

John

 

[chrisbassist]

It does normally cost a bit more than the others, but was it over 4 times the price of getting the same amount of another brand? Because it's over 4 times stronger, so will last over 4 times as long.

 

[DD2510]

have you tried here http/www.warehouse-aquatics.co.uk/aquarium-treatments/additives/water-conditioners/seachem-prime-250ml-2500l-p-3015.html

i get mine from there, Its £7.49 for a 250ml bottle but it treats 2500 litres. They charge £3.75 for P+P.