Is it ok to add seachem prime even when not needed

[leo12345]

After doing a water change i add seachem prime directly to the tank or to the new water just in case any contaminates got in, is it bad to add it like this even if not needed?

 

[Jekyl]

Problem is using water when you're not sure what is in it. Not sure what prime contains though. I'd rather not add anything that isn't natural though.

 

[leo12345]

Problem is using water when you're not sure what is in it. Not sure what prime contains though. I'd rather not add anything that isn't natural though.

I never said I used water that i dont know whats in it i just want to know if i can use prime even when nothing is wrong with a tank?

 

[MERKEY]

If you know you're using tds 0 water and making your own or trust who is making it then I wouldn't waste the money.

 

[Malcontent]

After doing a water change i add seachem prime directly to the tank or to the new water just in case any contaminates got in, is it bad to add it like this even if not needed?

Contaminants like chlorine?

 

[MERKEY]

Yes you can use prime even if you don't need it.

Document if it does anything negative long term to your tank.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

If it’s not needed then why do it?

 

[exnisstech]

Your already doing it so you would probably be the best judge if it's OK to do it. Tho like most I don't know why you would if your using 0 tds rodi water. I used to add it directly to the tank when doing water changes but that was fresh water.

 

[leo12345]

.

 

[pshootr]

If you believe that contaminants got in your water then I would say chemical filtration such as activated carbon.

 

[leo12345]

Your already doing it so you would probably be the best judge if it's OK to do it. Tho like most I don't know why you would if your using 0 tds rodi water. I used to add it directly to the tank when doing water changes but that was fresh water.

I do it because sometimes water from the tap might fall in and when i put my hands in the tank there might be bad stuff on them and i use tap water to clean some of the equipment like filter pads and wave makers and there might be leftover tap water on them when i put them back in.

 

[homer1475]

Unless were talking a nano tank(like 10 gallons and under) the small amount of tap that you get from rinsing/washing things will be super diluted and not be an issue.

 

[Koigula]

My understanding is that prime is sodium thiosulfate. This has been used a dechlorinator for decades. You should be able to detect sulfur smell in bottle. It is repackaged for convenience. It will remove chlorine and chloramine in city water. It is used in replacement of sitting and aerating water overnight. Well water often has high CO2. Doubt aeration removed chloramine well though.

You can dunk in rodi water if just cleaning equipment. It would never hurt.

It is generally used when you do not have a nearly essential multistage RODI unit or a small freshwater planted tank. I have both. Since I have a RODI system, I never use it. I run Hanna inline TDS meter before and after the resin cartridges. I run 1-2 ppm TDS to RO cartridge and 0 ppm TDS out.

I use RODI water to make up freshwater planted tanks. I use gH/kH remineralizer for shrimp tanks to 165 ppm and never measure gH or kH.

Anecdotally, I did get a slight dinoflagellate outbreak when I burned through DI resin with the RO flush valve set wrong. I also lost a baseball sized old school strawberry shortcake coral. They seem the first to go with any upset.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

While there's no evidence of a problem using it at normal doses, there's also no evidence that, aside from chlorine removal, Prime does anything useful, despite manufacturer marketing claims otherwise.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

My understanding is that prime is sodium thiosulfate.

The contents are not divulged, but Seachem has explicitly stated it is not thiosulfate. It is likely a related molecule of some sort, however, based on the vague words they use to describe it.