Why is Seachem Prime a problem?

glb · Sep 4, 2013

I used Prime for years in my freshwater tanks as a water conditioner. I've read many posts that say that Prime shouldn't be used in a saltwater setup, but I'm not sure why. I'm always wanting to learn more. I'm not an additive person at all. I believe in finding the source of the problem and fixing it. But I'm curious about why Prime is bad for saltwater tanks.

robbrouse · Sep 4, 2013

Most people in salt water use RO/DI water and it will not needed it.

glb · Sep 4, 2013

But is it bad to use in the tank itself if you are worried about a rapid change in nitrates for example due to an unknown fish death, etc? I know water changes and finding the source of the problem are the true answers, but in an emergency would it help protect your fish or cause more problems than it's worth. Does it skew test readings?

glb · Sep 4, 2013

I'm learning from the forum that people are generally anti-additives as a solution to these problems and I agree. But I'm just curious about what Prime does to test readings, etc.

robbrouse · Sep 4, 2013

I think there might be better ways to lower nitrates. I;m no expert..

SeahorseKeeper · Sep 4, 2013

I have used Prime in emergency type situations such as when QT'ing a fish or dealing with some sort of mini crisis. I use it when I know water changes alone won't work. The thing to keep in mind is if you are you using it for ammonia control, the product binds the ammonia to make it safer. The ammonia test will show a reading.

I wouldn't use it as a means of controlling nitrates. It would just be putting a band aid on an ongoing issue.

glb · Sep 4, 2013

SeahorseKeeper said:
I have used Prime in emergency type situations such as when QT'ing a fish or dealing with some sort of mini crisis. I use it when I know water changes alone won't work. The thing to keep in mind is if you are you using it for ammonia control, the product binds the ammonia to make it safer. The ammonia test will show a reading.

I wouldn't use it as a means of controlling nitrates. It would just be putting a band aid on an ongoing issue.

Oh I absolutely agree. Water changes are always my first line of defense. I was just wondering if it could be used in an emergency.

glb · Sep 4, 2013

robbrouse said:
I think there might be better ways to lower nitrates. I;m no expert..

You're absolutely right. And from what I understand, it doesn't decrease nitrates, ammonia, etc., it just detoxifies it.

glb · Sep 4, 2013

I'm just trying to become a more sophisticated saltwater aquarist and I'm interested in the 'why' when people give advice. I get great advice here and I like to look a little deeper.

KC-Reef · Sep 4, 2013

Prime will not negatively effect a saltwater aquarium if used in the right amount. It is in no means a solution to high nitrates or ammonia but rather a tested method of removing chlorine with the added benefit of detoxifying nitrates and ammonia at the same time. I have seen it used on hundreds of saltwater aquariums with no ill effects. Many people use it as a backup when doing water changes to make sure there is no chlorine present in new water.

AZDesertRat · Sep 4, 2013

With the use of good RO/DI water, chlorine, nitrates and ammonia are not an issue so Prime should not be needed. Also in saltwater it can make a protein skimmer go crazy and overflow the collection cup like mad since it alters the surface tension of the water. I might would use it in a freshwater tank with tap water but not in a saltwater reef system. The others are also correct in that it does not remove things like ammonia and nitrates but merely binds them up or masks them so the yare not as toxic. I prefer to remove something not hide it myself. If all I wanted to do is remove chlorine, carbon or sodium thiosulfate works fine for that and is cheap.

glb · Sep 5, 2013

Thanks everyone! Once again, great advice!

LowezAkar24 · Sep 16, 2013

Get a good R/O Unit brother, it will save you possible headaches later. Have you had your tap water tested?

mcarroll · Sep 17, 2013

I could be wrong, but I don't think Prime is a "Slime Coat" sort of product....just a de-chlor-aminator.

I think it's a good idea to have some on hand (any brand, really) in case you end up with a need to use tap water on your tank for any reason.

-Matt

Reef Fever · Sep 17, 2013

I use it in every FO or FOWLR tank I maintain for work (all are larger than 500 gallons). RO for Reefs

glb · Sep 17, 2013

LowezAkar24 said:
Get a good R/O Unit brother, it will save you possible headaches later. Have you had your tap water tested?

Oh I don't use tap water anymore. I buy purified seawater and ro for topoff at my lfs. I use tap for my freshwater tank but have added prime a few times to my reef tank if something dies to protect everything. Btw, I'm a sister.

mcarroll · Sep 17, 2013

glb said:
Btw, I'm a sister.

With a name like glb how could he not know that!? Ha!

-Matt

P.S.

glb · Sep 17, 2013

mcarroll said:
With a name like glb how could he not know that!? Ha!

-Matt

P.S.

I know! It's happened before and it cracks me up!

pickupman66 · Sep 17, 2013

ive used prime for many years. it is a great product. I dont need to use it with my saltwater tanks because I have an RO/Di system. when I do use it, It is for my freshwater tanks, and to declorinate purigen after re-charge. I also use it to detoxify the Nitrites and ammonia when am doing a drip acclimation for a new fish on in an emergency in small amounts.