Half dose is more of a safety net due to lower dissolved oxygen levels. I've dosed prime 5x the recommended dose (5ml / 50 gal) when I was battling columnaris in hospital tanks without bio filtration where I couldn't do any water changes as I was treating with antibiotics and ammonia was at extreme levels. This at 32C tank water / 37C ambient, this summer. Fish survived and flourished, but that's more or less because it's a bichir and it could survive hypoxic conditions given that they are air breathers. I wouldn't try it with fish that are strictly gill breathers and require highly oxygenated water levels, but I rarely do half doses, only in extreme heat.Question.
So if one cap prime treats 50g of water and hypothetically I had a 50g tank that is at 86f.
I’m changing 80% water in the 50g and getting ready to re-fill the tank are you saying I should only use half a cap of prime to treat the tank bc my water temp is 86f? (Half a cap of prime only treats 25g) normally I would use 1 cap to treat the entire tank, regardless of temperature.
Or are you trying to say that in order to overdose a tank on prime it would only be 2x’s the amount of prime because the tank is 86f?
This is just all hypothetical as I’m just trying to understand what you are trying to say.
Good info to have, I’ve never had to dose more than 2x’s and I’ve never considered the temperature of the tankHalf dose is more of a safety net due to lower dissolved oxygen levels. I've dosed prime 5x the recommended dose (5ml / 50 gal) when I was battling columnaris in hospital tanks without bio filtration where I couldn't do any water changes as I was treating with antibiotics and ammonia was at extreme levels. This at 32C tank water / 37C ambient, this summer. Fish survived and flourished, but that's more or less because it's a bichir and it could survive hypoxic conditions given that they are air breathers. I wouldn't try it with fish that are strictly gill breathers and require highly oxygenated water levels, but I rarely do half doses, only in extreme heat.
I think you have to look at your dosage methodology, and your level of paranoia. When I do water changes now, I remove the portion of water I intend to remove, usually 70%, then dose Seachem Safe for the full tank volume on the display, and switch on my wave maker to let it mix; then fill straight from tap with a filter sock to catch whatever debris is there to catch (if any). Years back, I used to dose .5ml of prime during the middle phase of fill up with a 5g bucket, then pour it to the tank (paranoia).Good info to have, I’ve never had to dose more than 2x’s and I’ve never considered the temperature of the tank
What type of pump do you use?Changing water with buckets isn't sustainable. You should be changing about 50 gallons of water, and you will get sick of that. When you get sick of it, your water quality will suffer, and you fish will get sick and die.
I personally don't like the Python Clean and Fill system because it requires that the water be running to create suction. That wastes a lot of water, and I don't like wasting water unnecessarily. It works though if it's your best option.
That's why I use a pump. If your tube run isn't too long, you can do it without a pump by sucking on the tube to create suction. My tube run is almost 40', so I have to use a pump. I tried; I just don't suck hard enough.
You may be a slightly over stocked, but if you’re willing to have adequate filtration and do the frequent water changes, you’re fine. None of your fish will outgrow your tank and none are overly territorial.Aqadvisor.com says my tank is overstocked, what do you guys think? I have a 100 gal with lots of plants and a 30 gal sump filled with seachem matrix. I do weekly 30% water changes, but I do have some trouble with keeping my nitrates low.View attachment 1386034