When to add Prime during WC

[elting44]

I read somewhere that you can add prime after syphoning a tank but before adding the new water with the same results as adding it to each bucket, is this true?

For example, this is how I am currently doing WCs

1) Syphon my gravel, remove 25% of the water
2) Fill up a bucket with water, stir in prime
3) Add water, to tank,
4) Repeat step 2 and 3 until tank is full

Does it have the same effect if I just

1) Syphon my gravel, remove 25% of the water, add prime
2) Add buckets until full

Also my tap water has a Ph of 8.2-8.4 so I usually use Nuetral Regulator to get it down to to 7.4 p/m .2, should I be dosing that after taking out old, to each bucket, or after the WC

I have been dosing each bucket for a long time, I shutter to think how much time I could have saved by just dosing the tank before adding new water

Thanks in advance for the advice

 

[Moloch]

I haven't gotten prime yet, but I use tetra aquasafe to dechlorinate. I add it directly to the tank, after siphoning the water but before adding new water (or sometimes while new water is streaming in because I've forgotten to do it before hand)

So far I haven't had any problems at all. I'm using a python (diy, sort of) instead of buckets, but it shouldn't be any different. I'd imagine you'd be fine to add it to the tank instead of each bucket. The PH regulator I have NO idea...my tap PH is right at 7 so I haven't had to worry about it.

 

[msjinkzd]

most people will recommend dosing for the volume of the tank if you putting the prime in that way rather than dosing for hte volume of each bucket (when pre-mixed)

I would stay away from neutral regulator and keep your pH consistent, rather than having it fluctuate from chemicals.

 

[West1]

I add prime per full tank volume including sump.
I've got a 300gl w/a 100gl sump. Sump is 1/4 full si I dose for 350gls every water change.

When 50% of my tank is empty, I assume I'm close to 150gls in my tank so I add 4 caps of prime (which is for 200glns) just as I turn on the Python.
I add 1 cap as I fill'er up

No problems so far (fingers crossed)

 

[ar0wan]

It doesn't matter as long as you do it within a reasonable amount of time
It's not recommended to let your fish sit in chlorinated water
but you most certainly can fill then treat.
Most people overdose PRIME anyway cause it's so freaking awesome - er concentrated
I have a medicine dropper and it's only 15 drops per 5gal bucket

I recommend dosing as you fill the first bucket
and agian after you pour the last
Overdosing PRIME is absolutely fine

 

[elting44]

Awesome, thanks for the info, I will dose my first bucket with a ml or so and then do a capful at the end, (for my 55)

 

[elting44]

I would stay away from neutral regulator and keep your pH consistent, rather than having it fluctuate from chemicals.

I'd think it would be better for the fish to keep the ph between 7.2-7.6 rather than 8.4. Am I wrong in that assumption?

I have a 4" male convict, 3" female convict. and a 2" female convict, plus a handful of survivors from the aforementioned cons spawns.

I am willing to bet the convicts would be ok in water that has a ph of 8.4, but I am looking to add a Royal Pleco L190 to the tank, and it may not be as hardy or cheap to replace.

thanks for the advice in adcvance

 

[jcardona1]

I add it after I drain the water and before I put the new water in.

 

[ballinouttacntrol]

buckets!?! Sounds so stone age

 

[jcardona1]

buckets!?! Sounds so stone age

they must still watch movies on these things