How much PRIME do I add when using a python water changer?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I dose the whole tank. I do 50% or more of my 75 gallon at a time. I add water using my python, figure better safe than sorry.

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kingofthejungle said:
If you really wany precision you need to get your tap water levels checked then dose according to the results of your test.
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I just want to be sure. But it seems i've been way overdosing anyway. I need to step it down a bit. :)
 
I would just dose a full cap (50 gallons). When I used to use prime (now I use safe), I would dose 3 capfuls on my 125 just in case. The recommended dose only treats for chlorine in the tap, you have to double the dose to treat for chloramine.
 
To the OP ................... you might want to read the following sticky.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?309623-Cost-Effective-Water-Conditioners


From the link above:

The only way that one can truly know how much Prime (or whatever) to add to their tank is by knowing what quantity of chlorine or chloramine is being added by their local water treatment facility, or more importantly, what the rate is as it leaves the facility for end use.

Without that data, treating your water becomes purely hit or miss.

There are a lot of things one has to factor in before they can say with certainty "how much" water conditioner each tank requires, starting by knowing whether you have chlorine, or chloramine treated tap water, and how much of either (in mg/l) you are treating for. Seachem Prime states 1 capful per 50 gallons, but that's for 4 mg/l chloramine, and/or 5 mg/l chlorine. In my case I can safely use half that amount, as I'm only treating for 2 mg/l chloramine. (the max found in our local water supply)
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I tend to overdose. The stuff isn't that expensive. For that matter, with a small water change, 10-15%, I don't treat at all.
 
so to make this clear, we've established that when using a python to change your water, you're supposed to dose the tank according to the total gallonage of the tank rather than dose according to the water you've replaced.


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Not exactly.

Again, from the link posted previously.............



A couple of weeks ago I asked Greg about having to treat the entire tank volume, when filling directly from a hose. (vs. pre-treating the new water).

This comes up time & time again on various forums, so here's the skinny directly from the CEO of Seachem.


Greg stated:

"some people prefer to just add the new untreated water directly to the tank... if they do that then we recommend the amount of Prime they add be based on the total gallonage of the aquarium rather than just what they added. The "extra" amount speeds up the rate of removal."


I then asked: Is the reaction time based on pH, or any other factors?

I was curious about pH being a factor as the makers of ClorAm-X state:

"At low pH's this reaction proceeds slower than at pH's above 7, but in practical terms the reaction proceeds quickly enough to provide complete ammonia removal in an hour or less."



Greg's response:

It would be influenced by pH although I'm not sure if the differences we see in an aquarium would contribute significantly to the time scale at a level where it would be noticed. But the reaction is one that produces H+ so higher pH would tend to favor the reaction although I'm not sure if kinetically it would have a noticeable effect.


But, at the end of the day, if what you are doing works and does not cause any problems then it is ok. Our recommendations are meant to cover a broad range of users and we tend to prefer to err on the side of being overly cautious.

Greg Morin


I can tell you that with my local tap water with a pH of 8.0, and treated with 2mg/l chloramine, I can treat only for the water being added, and the chlorine/ammonia bond in broken, the chlorine is neutralized to chloride, and the free ammonia is reduced to a safe non-toxic form, all in an instant. I have tested this many times with numerous products, and never once seen any signs of residual toxins such as chlorine or free ammonia.

It's fine to add more Prime etc when filling with a python, but in many cases it is simply not required and is a waste of $$$.
 
kingofthejungle said:
No only dose the 20 gallons you replaced so add 2 ml its the second thread in the cap. Using more won't hurt but unnecessary.
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Absolutely NOT. Please stop giving advice on this.

If you aren't dosing your new water in seperate buckets outside of the tank (you aren't if you are doing water changes with a python), dose for the WHOLE TANK VOLUME.

If you don't know your water parameters, it's necessary to do this. Obviously you can tailor your dosing if you know what your city provides you with, but in that case, you wouldn't be making a thread like this.

/Thread
 
I'll do a 50% water change and dose for the full tank volume. Been doing it for years NP.
 
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