How much Prime?

L

leighasnana

AC Members
May 10, 2005
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Ontario, Canada
I was reading an interesting discussion yesterday on another site about water changes and Prime Condtioner. The person who began the thread asked if people added what the label recommended and added it just for the water replaced- or - were they dosing more and/or dosing for the total volume of the tank.

I've always dosed the exact amount needed for the what I was adding back in. Many though were dosing double and dosing for the total volume of the tank.

How do you dose and if you dose for the total volume of the tank or double dose at a regular water change do you notice a difference? Why do people do this?
 
Personally it depends on how I do the water change...if by bucket I add to the bucket first and just for the amount in there. If I am using the python I dose for the size of the tank.
 
^^Yup, that is the general consensus I've heard on the issue as well. If just adding from a bucket, just dose the bucket for the amount in the bucket (the amount you're adding back in). But, if you're using a python and filling directly from the faucet, since obviously you can't get the Prime in the new water before the water goes in your tank, dose the tank for the full tank volume right before you add the new water.
 
I don't use a python so I dose in the bucket. What I do is I approximate that 3 pails equals 10 gallons. I dose for the 10 gallons in the first pail and then add 2 with tap water or including my fertilizer etc... I keep going like that and then I add a little at the end for luck. lol

Why do you add more when using the python? I've heard that if I invest in one of these I'll never go back to buckets again.
 
Because you want to dose the water that is going in the tank. If you are doing it in the bucket you will be taking the chlorine and other stuff out of the water before it goes in the tank. If you are filling the tank from the faucet, you need to dose the entire tank volume because the chlorine and other stuff is being added to the entire tank (does that make since the way I wrote it??) You really need to dose each bucket before adding it though (IMO), or add it and dose for your tank size:)

Anyway, yeah...I'd say if you get a python, you wont go back to buckets, it makes things WAY easier!
 
I dose for the whole tank, not just the water being replaced.
 
from their site...

DIRECTIONS: Use 1 capful (5 mL) for each 200 L (50 gallons*) of new water. For smaller doses, please note each cap thread is approx. 1 mL). This removes approximately 0.8 mg/L ammonia, 1.2 mg/L chloramine, or 3.3 mg/L chlorine. May be added to aquarium directly, but better if added to new water first. If adding directly to aquarium, base dose on aquarium volume. Sulfur odor is normal. For exceptionally high chloramine concentrations, a double dose may be used safely. To detoxify nitrite in an emergency, up to 5 times normal dose may be used. If temperature is > 30 °C (86 °F) and chlorine or ammonia levels are low, use a half dose.
 
I use a python for my water changes and I usually over dose a little, but based on the water going in. I have never had any problems, But I certainly don't think dosing more would hurt. Keep in mind that for chemicals like dechlorinators, the dose that companies recommend is already going to be on the conservatively high side to ensure successfully removing and detoxifying chlorine and/or chloramine, ammonia, etc. and to minimize any potential fish loss.
 
This might be slightly out of topic, but how do you add water from the fauset and keep the temperature constant in the tank? Hot water has low KH as far as i remember and should not be used. +it is low on Oxygen.
 
Well, I make the water the same as the tank before I add it?
 
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