Seachem Prime question

40B Knasty · Apr 30, 2017

I never used it before and picked up a bottle. I am going to use it for my water changes.
How much do I use for a 5 gallon bucket? (Probably around 4 1/2 gallons of filtered water in the bucket)
How long does it have to mix in the new water to remove all chlorine or chloramine?

terri_ann · Apr 30, 2017

Prime removes ammonia.

40B Knasty · Apr 30, 2017

terri_ann said:
Prime removes ammonia.

Prime does not remove ammonia. It detoxifies it. There is a difference. Prime has a binding agent that helps for your biological filters to pick it up. Plus that would not have answered my 2 questions.
So many mixed reviews out there it is ridiculous. Seems as though 2 drops per gallon is the consensus.
Back to question 2.
How long does it take to remove all chlorine or chloramine while mixing 1 gallon using 2 drops of Seachem Prime?

Brew12 · Apr 30, 2017

40B Knasty said:
Prime does not remove ammonia. It detoxifies it. There is a difference. Prime has a binding agent that helps for your biological filters to pick it up. Plus that would not have answered my 2 questions.
So many mixed reviews out there it is ridiculous. Seems as though 2 drops per gallon is the consensus.
Back to question 2.
How long does it take to remove all chlorine or chloramine while mixing 1 gallon using 2 drops of Seachem Prime?

The proper dosing should be 1mL per 10 gallons. It works nearly instantly but I would give it 5 or 10 minutes to properly mix.

You can safely use up to 5mL per 10 gallons if you think you have very high chlorides or ammonia with no harm done so don't worry about over dosing.

terri_ann · May 1, 2017

40B Knasty said:
Prime does not remove ammonia. It detoxifies it. There is a difference. Prime has a binding agent that helps for your biological filters to pick it up. Plus that would not have answered my 2 questions.
So many mixed reviews out there it is ridiculous. Seems as though 2 drops per gallon is the consensus.
Back to question 2.
How long does it take to remove all chlorine or chloramine while mixing 1 gallon using 2 drops of Seachem Prime?

You are SO RIGHT!! Sorry for the mistake!!!

cope413 · May 1, 2017

Are you using tap water? Why the need for prime?

40B Knasty · May 1, 2017

cope413 said:
Are you using tap water? Why the need for prime?

Yes I am using tap water. I also have my own contraption for .000TDS using the guts of a 6 cup Zerowater pitcher that is sealed to the bottom of a bucket with a hole drilled through it. Plus I can replace filters with Zerowater Filters anytime. Very convenient for my needs and I don't ever have to worry about over flow while walking out the door.

tyler1503 · May 1, 2017

Could you elaborate on that water filter?
Is it an effective RODI replacement?
Thanks

40B Knasty · May 1, 2017

tyler1503 said:
Could you elaborate on that water filter?
Is it an effective RODI replacement?
Thanks

ZeroWater's first layer of filtration, activated carbon and oxidation reduction alloy removes the chlorine taste you are accustom to with tap water. The Ion Exchange stage removes virtually all dissolved solids that may be left over from public water systems or even leached into your water from piping such as Aluminum, Lead, Zinc, Nitrate and more. Three additional stages are included to remove other impurities and to ensure your water receives the appropriate amount of treatment time to deliver a "000" reading on your laboratory-grade Total Dissolved Solids meter included.

Stage 1: Coarse filter to remove fine particles/sediment.
Stage 2: Distributor that maximizes contact time.
Stage 3: Multi-layer system using activated carbon and oxidation reduction alloy.
Stage 4: Comprehensive ION EXCHANGE array.
Stage 5: Non-woven membrane to remove fine particles.

ReeferSurf · May 1, 2017

Doesn't seachem prime cause the skimmer to go crazy?

40B Knasty · May 1, 2017

ReeferSurf said:
Doesn't seachem prime cause the skimmer to go crazy?

Not one bit.

smokin'reefer · May 1, 2017

Sweet little contraption. Seems like a viable alternative for peeps with lower ppm out of the tap. I'm sure it wouldn't work for those with 800ppm out of the tap, but if you are getting zero, you nailed it. Filters, carbon and deionization. Two thumbs up for creativity.[emoji106][emoji106]
I know I'm not answering your question but like ideas that think outside the box.

cope413 · May 1, 2017

The prime shouldn't be necessary if you're going through the proper filtration and DI resin. Are you measuring chlorine after the filter?

40B Knasty · May 1, 2017

smokin'reefer said:
Sweet little contraption. Seems like a viable alternative for peeps with lower ppm out of the tap. I'm sure it wouldn't work for those with 800ppm out of the tap, but if you are getting zero, you nailed it. Filters, carbon and deionization. Two thumbs up for creativity.[emoji106][emoji106]
I know I'm not answering your question but like ideas that think outside the box.

Thanks! I use it for my 13g and 40B. It is able to turn .800 to .000, but a person would burn through a filter so fast. Mine out of the tap is between .038-.048.
Off the subject of it for the aquarium. Pick one up for yourself. I have tested a few of the waters on the market. Fiji .128, Poland Springs .036, Desani .080, etc.. None were close to zero. Brita filter turned .048 to .038 the one that screws into the tap.