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Is Seachem Prime Really Good? Or Should I Stick With What I Know?

API Water Conditioner Seachem Prime Stress Coat Discus

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15 replies to this topic

#1 MrLeifBeaver

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Posted 20 January 2015 - 10:26 AM

Precursor to my question; My local LFS is not paying their bills to their supplier, I have noticed their range of API water treatments dwindling, to the point of have no stock of some types, or no big bottles. They don't even any algeacide! Come on guys pay your bills and keep stocks of the regular stuff!

 

Anyway, back to the topic;

 

I wanted a large bottle of API Water Conditioner with Stress Coat for my Discus tank but my LFS didn't have any (only smaller bottles). The guy recommends Seachem Prime instead saying that it is better for the money, doses are smaller and that 'everyone uses it now'. The comment 'everyone uses it now' didn't sit well with me (I felt he was just trying to sell me anything) so instead, I bought a small bottle of API WC to tide me over till they get larger bottles back in stock.

 

He did asked me 'why do I use that anyway?', I got the feeling was not a fan of it. I answered 'It seems to work, my fish are happy and I don't seem to get skin irritations, so I have stuck with it'

 

But am I too set in my ways? What I want to know is Seachem Prime really better?

Is the comment 'everyone uses it now' valid?

 

I have been using API WC for quite some time and find it quite good.

 

What do you think?

 

 

 



#2 Michael the fish fanatic

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Posted 20 January 2015 - 10:41 AM

This stuff is stronger than prime and cheaper:
http://www.aquariump...D=4994&catID=36

#3 malawiman85

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Posted 20 January 2015 - 10:43 AM

Leif,

I Used to use api stress coat its good, works great. After a previous thread on a similar topic Johnno convinced me to try prime.
Other than being more economical I have noticed no differences.
So, in my experience its just as good as the api at a cheaper rate.
It also seems to be a pretty popular choice these days so while I wouldnt say everyone uses it, I would say more and more people are using it.

#4 Westie

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Posted 20 January 2015 - 11:09 AM

I've always been happy with API products.

I loaded up on Prime and Seachem Flourish with the 50% off sale recently, as well as winning a Prime in the PCS raffle at a meeting a while back

Probably will go back to API products when I run out of Seachem.

When I didn't know about shops like Aquotix, Vebas, etc. I used to get all my fish stuff from Pet Chain Stores. It was always API Stress Coat, Stress Zyme, and Leaf Zone with each water change. Fish always looked happy.

Only difference I've found with Seachem is the the Prime stinks



#5 jjm66smokey

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Posted 20 January 2015 - 12:14 PM

Yes Prime has a wonderful aroma

But seems to work fine and the last couple of bottles I've bought from one of our sponsors were particularly good value (much better than the chain stores)

 

From some internet research, it seems 5mLs of Prime treats:
-50 gallons of water
-1 mg/L ammonia
-4 mg/L chloramine
-5 mg/L chlorine

 

I notice from some more research that you can get 2L of Prime from the US including free delivery for A$84.68!!!


 



#6 Kleinz

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Posted 20 January 2015 - 12:39 PM

While API is good, I have been converted to Prime and some of its cheaper clones.

 

Prime can help deal with ammonia and nitrites in your tank, while API conditioner just does chloramines/chlorine. Sure, your tank should have minimal amounts of those, accidents can happen.

 

When doing a water change or servicing a canister, there is a possibility of disturbing the filter and spiking the ammonia or nitrites. This is where Prime and its variants come in. Perhaps it's just a talisman and by the time any ammonia builds up, the Prime dissipates, but I think it's working. Also, I think young fry are more prone to being affected by small spikes in ammonia, so it's good to use there.

 

 

That said, I buy Seachem only when on sale, and usually stick to cheaper brands containing the same thing. Also, as there is considerable debate as to whether Prime type products "go off"", I stick to half litres at most. (Ollie can answer this one)

 

On Seachem Stability and Purigen I have no opinion as I have not used it  enough to form one.

 

 

Never used an algaecide apart from peroxide and flourish excel. What can you tell me about those and their efficacy?



#7 malawiman85

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Posted 20 January 2015 - 01:48 PM

Api algaefix is one to be weary of. Plenty of people on the net reckon it has killed their fish. It nearly killed my jack about 6 months ago. I think Graddo said he thought thats what killed his jack too. Im sure plenty of people use it without incident but a warning to all... just be careful with it.

#8 MrLeifBeaver

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Posted 20 January 2015 - 03:17 PM

Thanks for all the great replies, this is great.

When I next have to by some conditioner I will have a look at the Seachem Prime a little closer and maybe purchase it.

 

The Algaecide I put in the tank is at low doses once a week, it's more of a algae reducer than actual remover I find.

I find that reducing the amount of exterior light sources (curtains closed, etc) is a better than using algaecide.

6hrs of LED light a day only.

 

Also I notice that Algae seems to come through in cycles, like a couple times a year, sometimes the tank can look mint, other times very hairy, but still managable.



#9 ice

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Posted 20 January 2015 - 05:02 PM

I used to use prime, cant say enough good things about it! I currently use the stuff in the following link. Seems to be even less dosage than prime and haven't had any problems at all, it doesnt have a slime coat enhancer but why would you need it if your fish are healthy?

 

http://www.aquariump...php?prodID=6554



#10 Fox

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Posted 20 January 2015 - 08:03 PM

API Tap Water Conditioner for me. Has been for years. Great stuff.



#11 25GTT

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Posted 20 January 2015 - 09:37 PM

+1 for Prime here, I have been using if for 5+ years.

 

I do about 60 litre water change on my 300 litre aquarium every weekend, and add one capful of prime to go with it, works a treat.



#12 chocky

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Posted 20 January 2015 - 10:19 PM

I use both

Prime for cycling new tanks
Protects the fish against ammonia and nitrites for 48 hrs, by binding it making it safe. Letting the BB still grow at double the dose.
Or I use it if I need to medicate fish in QT.

I use Api when doing normal water changes. (The non-stress coat one)

#13 sandgroper

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Posted 21 January 2015 - 01:35 AM

Use Safe, it's the powder form of Prime, why pay good money for water. 1kg treats 200,000 gallons costs about $85 bucks and will last you a life time.



#14 Mr_docfish

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Posted 22 January 2015 - 12:03 AM

Safe is the purer form of Prime (metabisulphite) - even $85 for a kilo is a bit rich - but you get dose rates with it and you know you got the right stuff...., Safe is also a lot more stable than Prime or other liquid based metabisulphites (Ammolock, Chlormon etc) - particulrly during storage in high temps. It is also known to go off if you rinse the cap in the aquarium and return it to the bottle top - it can introduce anaerobic bactetia and in time, start breaking down.... Now prime does have a smell of sulphur - but when it changes the hydrogen sulphide (rotten egg gas) then it is time to throw it and get a fresh bottle.

I recommend Prime, Ammolock, stresscoat plus etc for those living on the Mundaring pipeline (contains chloramines)
Personally, I make my own dry salt based mix which contains Thiosulohate and EDTA (amoung other stuff).
If you read up on the stability and of all the active ingredients, you will find the metabisulphites only lasts up to 48hours in the aquarium - whereas EDTA lasts up to a week.... For the sake of heavy metal binding, I prefer the EDTA.

Check batch numbers/useby dates on these products to ensure you are getting fresh product, and not something picked up in bulk and stored on a shed or hot warehouse.... And store them on a dark, cool capboard and avoid contaminating the solution with aquarium water.

Edited by Mr_docfish, 22 January 2015 - 12:05 AM.


#15 ice

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Posted 22 January 2015 - 12:13 AM

Very informative mate, just out of interest what are your thoughts on the stuff I linked to? Been using it for a while now but I'm not at chemistry savvy as you so would value your input.

#16 Mr_docfish

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Posted 24 January 2015 - 07:21 PM

Very informative mate, just out of interest what are your thoughts on the stuff I linked to? Been using it for a while now but I'm not at chemistry savvy as you so would value your input.


Same same....

Basically, it is a variant if sodium metabisulphite with a stabiliser like formaldehyde or gluteraldehyde or similar... Most of these guys deny or avoid mentioning what the extra bits are due to labelling and registration laws....

In terms of "It removes.....ammonia, nitrites and nitrates " - technically incorrect - just detoxifies these for the short term. They are still in the aquarium...

In most well run aquariums, there should be no issues with ammonia, nitrites and nitrates - but good handy stuff if things go wrong biologically.

Edited by Mr_docfish, 24 January 2015 - 07:22 PM.






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