Anyone else using seachem prime?

nashorn · Jan 23, 2018

I just got my ICP test results and it does show a elevated chlorine level. Bunch of other are high too.
I only use prime with tap water to top off.
How many drops do you guys use per gal of water? I usually use 2 drops and mix a gal at a time.
Do you let it sit for a day before using? Mix with pump or just shake it around a few times?
Does prime expire ? I been using the same bottle for around 3 yrs.
What is the best practice using prime.

RO/DI not a good option since I'm on a hill in SF and pressure is too low. Even with a booster pump I only get 5 gal if I run 24 hrs.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 23, 2018

You misunderstand.

There is no Cl2 chlorine in your tank. Chloride (Cl-) is the most abundant ion in all seawater.

All types of Cl show up the same by ICP, as the element chlorine, even when the form is chloride.

Brew12 · Jan 23, 2018

I'm not a chemistry expert but it looks like your issue is that you are running a very high SG. Your Calcium, Chlorine and Sodium levels are all very elevated.

Again, I'm not an ICP expert and haven't used the test, but I believe that the chlorine you are seeing is mostly from Sodium Chloride.. IE salt.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 23, 2018

Yes, that salinity is high and should be lowered.

beaslbob · Jan 23, 2018

back to the original question, should you use prime for tap water top off? NO! The small amount of ammonia in the top off will be easily consumed by corals/clams/and (especially) any algae present. Prime locks up the ammonia and in the process also reduces oxygen.

(of course most would just use rodi)

cmcoker · Jan 23, 2018

beaslbob said:
back to the original question, should you use prime for tap water top off? NO! The small amount of ammonia in the top off will be easily consumed by corals/clams/and (especially) any algae present. Prime locks up the ammonia and in the process also reduces oxygen.

(of course most would just use rodi)

So you would just use it straight from the tap with no dechlorination?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 23, 2018

Chlorine is not the issue here, and I do not want anyone confused.

We can discuss the pros and cons of Prime to treat tap water, but it is not a tool for the OP to reduce chlorine in his tank.

The use of tap water and Prime is not the reason his chloride and other ions are elevated. it is because the salinity is too high.

nashorn · Jan 23, 2018

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
You misunderstand.

There is no Cl2 chlorine in your tank. Chloride (Cl-) is the most abundant ion in all seawater.

All types of Cl show up the same by ICP, as the element chlorine, even when the form is chloride.

Feeling like a dummy....Thanks
So looks like sg is just too high. I'll slowly reduce it.

Gareth elliott · Jan 23, 2018

nashorn said:
Feeling like a dummy....Thanks
So looks like sg is just too high. I'll slowly reduce it.

how are you checking mix water salinity?

If your using a hydrometer i would check the accuracy with either randy’s method or plato degrees solution. One is salt (randy’s) other one uses sugar. Salt is easier and cheaper.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.htm
Randy’s article on how to make.

If using a Refractometer besides calibration , make sure you are doing the temperature conversion correctly, will need to know samples temperature. Unless it is auto temp correcting.