Prime gives false readings???

[hitman12131976]

I read a post today in which Napolete stated that Prime will give false ammonia readings. Is this true? Or what is meant by "false readings"?

[Nolapete]

False readings meaning that it still reads that there is ammonia even though it has converted it from the toxic form to non-toxic form. So say you have .25 ppm reading, if you have used prime and probably most other ammonia detoxifying dechlorinators, you're still going to get a reading, but it is NOT harmful and nothing to worry about.

[Nolapete]

Also, it doesn't meant that once you've dechlorinated your water with Prime that future readings are going to be "false" or a better term might be detecting non-toxic ammonia versus toxic ammonia. There's two types NH3 and NH4. One is toxic and one isn't. They are also referred to as ionized and free ammonia. The statement about Prime giving false readings is not originated by me. It has been stated here before and in many places on the web.

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Just wanted to point out...the breaking down of Chloramine also produces NH3

[Nolapete]

Yep it sure does.

[hitman12131976]

Ah, okay. If I were to take a water reading 24 hours after using Prime would it still give a false reading or would it be normal after giving the tank some time to filter through the water.

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Most ammonia test kits test for both NH3 and NH4...so technically the reading after the use of Prime isn't "false" because there IS ammonia in the water...it's just the much less toxic form of it. NH3 is still consumable by the biofilter, and so yes it will eventually be eliminated.