Using seachem PRIME to cycle a tank?

Question

I was told by the fish store PRIME is the best conditioner on the market, and essential for use cycling a new tank with fish in it. The employee told me to use just under a capful for a 46 gallon tank, every day for two weeks, with a 25% water change once a week, and then go to a capful once a week until the tank cycles. Does this sound correct? It seems like a lot of chemicals.

Answer 1

It sounds like the fish store is wanting to teach you to use chemicals to control ammonia in your tank. Prime will bind with ammonia as well as dechlorinate your water. Personally it is better for your fish to only use the Prime in new water before you're pouring it in the tank and just do frequent water changes based on your ammonia readings. Go and get the liquid test kit for ammonia API is a good reliable brand. The ammonia only kit is $7 and the masterkit for freshwater is $30 (or $17 at aquariumguys.com) Test for ammonia daily and any time the reading gets above .25 ppm it's time to change out enough water to drop it below .25 ppm.

Answer 2

Ideally, you'd cycle before getting fish by adding pure ammonia (no perfumes or surfactants) or any organic matter that will rot, but if you must have fish immediately, Prime isn't a bad way to go.  A capful (5 mL) treats 50 gallons of water, and this will convert ammonia to ammonium and somehow neutralize nitrites, while still making them avaiable to the biofilter.  Basically, it keeps the toxic byproducts of fish waste from actually being toxic.  HOWEVER, there is NO need to add this to the water daily!  This should only be applied to new water during water changes, though you may wish to use a double dose IN CONJUNCTION with water changes to keep the harmful compounds at safe levels.  Most all test kits will still read the neutralized compounds, so don't freak out if your ammonia levels are around 5 ppm but the fish are acting fine.

I would strongly suggest getting some live media (gravel, filter floss, foam pads, ceramic rings, etc.) from an established tank, as this will be very effective at seeding your new tank, allowing it to cycle MUCH faster.

Answer 3

useing chemicals to cycle a tank is a bad idea even if cycling with fish all you need if you want to add something is some water frome an established tank that has been siphoned from the gravel.

to me to many people use to much chemicals in their tanks masking serious problems a properly cycled and balanced tank wont need chemicals to maintain it and the fish will be healthier