Dosing Seachem Prime

[balton777]

Sent an email to Seachem and got this reply.



So full tanks dose isn't the way to go, but it still didn't answer my question of whether to add it before or after the new water is added using a hose. I'll be doing the difference amount after I add the new water.

Hello Ryan,

We recommend using Prime at the start-up of a tank and
whenever adding or replacing water. Whenever you are just
adding or replacing water, you should dose the correct
amount of Prime for just the new water you are putting
into your tank (not the whole volume of the tank). When
you dose the new water, make sure you do not continually
overdose with Prime; it is a reducing agent and when
overdosed, it can reduce the amount of oxygen in the
water. We recommend adding the Prime to the new water
before you put it into your tank, but if that is not
possible, you can add (the correct amount) directly to
your aquarium.

That seems like it answers your question. You should treat the water before you put it in the tank if possible...if not, just add it directly to the tank. I take that as adding it to the tank before you add the water from the hose. (The latter is my method btw.)

 

[japes]

That seems like it answers your question. You should treat the water before you put it in the tank if possible...if not, just add it directly to the tank. I take that as adding it to the tank before you add the water from the hose. (The latter is my method btw.)

I still think "(The correct amount)" isn't properly defined, but from what they've mentioned earlier in the reply it seems to be the dosage for the amount of water replaced. Then the bottle says "If adding directly to the aquarium, base dose on aquarium volume" which I interpret as meaning a full dose for 100% of the tanks water volume.

I've sent another email just to be annoying for clarification

 

[japes]

Righto, sent Seachem the following question in response to their original answer.

Cheers for the reply. Just for clarification on your answer. I'm lucky enough to have great quality water straight out of the tap where I live and just use Prime as a water ager. Due to my tank volume it's very impractical for me to use buckets, so I use a hose and use straight tap water. So if I siphon out 200L of water during a water change/replacement, Should I use one capful of prime before, during, or after I add the new water, or is the difference not worth worrying about?

Hello Ryan,
You can dose Prime to your tank after you have added the new water. You are correct; you will dose the amount of Prime for the amount of water you are replacing (one capful for 200L). I hope this clears things up; please let us know if you need further assistance.

So I've been using 2/3 more prime than I've needed to. Correct procedure according to Seachem, if you can't Prime the water before adding it, is to dose the amount of water replaced/difference after adding the water.

 

[mcsx]

yeh well i dont think theres a reason to dose for the full amount of water this isnt neccissary and a waste of money.. prime aint cheap .

 

[Muske]

I use stress coat and put it in the bucket while it fills. I only use more when my fish have been fighting more than usual. As for measuring... I used the cap method and poured it it. I got an idea of how much it looks like. Now, when I am filling the buckets, I just pour a splash in. This is my method, water differs in other parts of the country, so I gues it depends on your source.