Prime

[Freenow54]

So I have a quarantine tank going with one small watchman goby in it the ammonia is .5ppm. I had the problem previous so removed it and emptied and cleaned tank. Filled it with new RO based water ammonia zero. so in one week is right back to before. It was suggested that I use prime. I got some off amazon, but a little worried about what it will do to the fish? Advise?

 

[EricR]

Not a great answer but:
For HTTM (tank transfer method), I add Prime after 2 days just because I've seen it suggested,,, then tank transfer after 3 days (day 4).

Not sure if it actually does anything but I haven't seen any "issues" (for fish) with it.

 

[twentyleagues]

Its fish safe. It will do nothing for ammonia. There are threads on it and yes I know I have read the bottle too and used it in the past. I was shocked to see this info when a came back a little over a year ago.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/does-prime-actually-detoxify-free-ammonia-nh3.849985/

 

[FishLvR]

I use prime just to rinse filter socks. It will help you not for ammonia.

 

[Freenow54]

Its fish safe. It will do nothing for ammonia. There are threads on it and yes I know I have read the bottle too and used it in the past. I was shocked to see this info when a came back a little over a year ago.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/does-prime-actually-detoxify-free-ammonia-nh3.849985/

Apparently it converts it so your media can remove it easier. Don't know that's why I asked

 

[twentyleagues]

Apparently it converts it so your media can remove it easier.

No it does nothing for ammonia read the thread. Multiple tests were done. Seachem states it binds it so it doesnt affect fish. I am not a chemist but some of those involved in the tests are so I dont know how one tests for such a thing. I mean is it still able to show on a test and not harm fish? I dont know but testing shows ammonia is not changed with use of Prime.

 

[FishLvR]

No it does nothing for ammonia read the thread. Multiple tests were done. Seachem states it binds it so it doesnt affect fish. I am not a chemist but some of those involved in the tests are so I dont know how one tests for such a thing. I mean is it still able to show on a test and not harm fish? I dont know but testing shows ammonia is not changed with use of Prime.

Sshhhhh Careful randy will come in here and make us all fall asleep with science talk.

 

[Freenow54]

Good. Need a solution. To the point after 3 weeks just to put the little guy in my display hoping it wont effect my $$$$$$Tang

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Avoiding the science stuff, Prime is safe and of seemingly no value in dealing with ammonia. I would not use it even if I already had it.

 

[Freenow54]

Avoiding the science stuff, Prime is safe and of seemingly no value in dealing with ammonia. I would not use it even if I already had it.

So what should be the approach?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

So what should be the approach?

Water changes as needed to maintain a safe level of ammonia

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So what should be the approach?

Reduce ammonia by water change in emergency, or by adding bacteria when time permits.

0.5 ppm is not an emergency.

 

[Dan_P]

So what should be the approach?

Add nitrifying bacteria to the system.

 

[Freenow54]

So Thanks' for the advice. Will get the bacteria tomorrow. As to whether it was an emergency or not. I don't know what level it gets to before it is considered one. Let me know. If it isn't zero as far as I am concerned its time to ask for advice after trying major water changes with no change

 

[Dan_P]

So Thanks' for the advice. Will get the bacteria tomorrow. As to whether it was an emergency or not. I don't know what level it gets to before it is considered one. Let me know. If it isn't zero as far as I am concerned its time to ask for advice after trying major water changes with no change

0.05 ppm free (not total) ammonia is what I remember being the point where gill irritation and damage can occur. Lethal amounts are much higher.

 

[Freenow54]

0.05 ppm free (not total) ammonia is what I remember being the point where gill irritation and damage can occur. Lethal amounts are much higher.

Please explain the difference

 

[Dan_P]

Please explain the difference

Irritation means causing damage to the gill tissue which may or may not heal. The fish will live many days with this exposure. Could leave the fish weak and sensitive to disease later after exposure to ammonia ends.

Lethal is the fish dying within a short period of exposure, like hours to a day.

 

[Freenow54]

Irritation means causing damage to the gill tissue which may or may not heal. The fish will live many days with this exposure. Could leave the fish weak and sensitive to disease later after exposure to ammonia ends.

Lethal is the fish dying within a short period of exposure, like hours to a day.

Sorry I meant free ammonia as to total

 

[Garf]

Sorry I meant free ammonia as to total

Free ammonia is a portion of total ammonia, dependant largely upon pH. Higher the pH, higher the free ammonia. What's the pH of your tank?

 

[twentyleagues]

Sorry I meant free ammonia as to total

Free ammonia is what kills. There are other ammonium compounds in the water that are less/not toxic to fish. Most tests test for total ammonia.