Seachem has a new water conditioner that's "better" than Prime

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aclockworkorange

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Jun 24, 2010
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I just got the new issue of Tropical Fish Hobbyist today and they have started doing a monthly article about some of the companies that produce products for the hobby. This month it was for Seachem.
Now, obviously this "article" is a bit of advertising, but it had some interesting stuff.
Did you guys know EVERY seachem employee has their own tank at WORK?

Anyway, the article also mentioned they have a new line of "premium" products called Aquavitro that I had never heard of. There is a new water conditioner they make called alpha as part of this line.

seachem_alpha.jpg


It is marketed for SW tanks but apparently it is perfectly safe for freshwater.

A "capful" of Prime (5ml) will treat 50 gallons (I'm not taking into account actual chlorine/chloramine/ammonia treatment amounts here, there's another thread on here that goes into much more detail on that). The same amount of alpha will treat 75 gallons.

http://www.aquavitro.com/Products/alpha.html

They also throw out some impressive performance numbers that I have no idea how to evaluate whether they are true or not. Apparently it's "50% more active than Prime."

So, as usual, I'm just going to post this info and let the rest of you discuss it, as I should be doing actual homework instead of researching water conditioners. I thought it was interesting because I haven't heard of it or seen it at all and I use Prime, as I think most of us around here do.
 
Good stuff. All depends on what you pay for each bottle. Basically just more concentrated, less amount of Alpha treats more water than Prime:
Seachem Prime, 500mL (16.9oz) treats 5,000g (500ml / 5ml capfulls x 50g of water) $12 on Amazon

Seachem Alpha, 11.8oz (348mL) treats 5,220g (348ml / 5ml capfulls x 75g of water) $9 on Amazon
 
Bought the regular Prime, and I could only get it in a 3 bottle pk. Is that how you normally get it? The box says = Seachem, HeadStart, Aquariun Condt'ng pk. includes PRIME, STABILITY, CLARITY. each bottle is 3.4 OZ. That's only choice of Seachem they have.
 
Alwayswantedadragon;4949970;4949970 said:
Bought the regular Prime, and I could only get it in a 3 bottle pk. Is that how you normally get it? The box says = Seachem, HeadStart, Aquariun Condt'ng pk. includes PRIME, STABILITY, CLARITY. each bottle is 3.4 OZ. That's only choice of Seachem they have.
Each of those does different things. Prime is the only one you'll want for treating water during water changes. 3.4oz is a tiny bottle, I try to buy only the 500ml bottles, most cost effective choice.
 
jcardona1;4949937; said:
Good stuff. All depends on what you pay for each bottle. Basically just more concentrated, less amount of Alpha treats more water than Prime:
Seachem Prime, 500mL (16.9oz) treats 5,000g (500ml / 5ml capfulls x 50g of water) $12 on Amazon

Seachem Alpha, 11.8oz (348mL) treats 5,220g (348ml / 5ml capfulls x 75g of water) $9 on Amazon

I'm curious if it's just more concentrated prime or if they have somehow improved the formula (and exactly what an improved formula even improves upon?). I confess ignorance to the manufacturing process, but I think more concentrated prime could simply be made by adding more of the active ingredient and less water to a bottle.
RD has that thread about Seachem Safe that's interesting as well.
 
aclockworkorange;4949987;4949987 said:
I'm curious if it's just more concentrated prime or if they have somehow improved the formula (and exactly what an improved formula even improves upon?). I confess ignorance to the manufacturing process, but I think more concentrated prime could simply be made by adding more of the active ingredient and less water to a bottle.
RD has that thread about Seachem Safe that's interesting as well.
I have read that Pond Prime is actually more concentrated than regular Prime. Alpha may very well be a new formula. Who knows, my research won't go that far haha. Chemistry isn't my strong point :)
 
jcardona1;4949995; said:
I have read that Pond Prime is actually more concentrated than regular Prime. Alpha may very well be a new formula. Who knows, my research won't go that far haha. Chemistry isn't my strong point :)

Well then WHO is going to do the research for us?! :drool:

I guess an email to Seachem is also in order...
 
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