Prime

Use 1 capful (5 mL) for each 200 litres of new water. For smaller volumes, please note each cap thread is approximately 1 mL. 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 and chlorine or ammonia levels are low, use a half dose.

I think that my Prime® might be old because it smells like it went bad.

Prime® has a very distinct odor that is similar to sulfur which is completely normal.

I noticed some small black specks in the bottom of my bottle of Prime®. Is it still good?

The presence of small black specks occasionally occurs and is normal.

I tested my tap water after using Prime® and came up with an ammonia reading. Is this because of chloramine? Could you explain how this works in removing chloramine?

Prime® works by removing chlorine from the water and then binds with ammonia until it can be consumed by your biological filtration (chloramine minus chlorine = ammonia). The bond is not reversible and ammonia is still available for your bacteria to consume. Prime® will not halt your cycling process.

How does Prime® make a difference in reducing nitrates?

The detoxification of nitrite and nitrate by Prime® (when used at elevated levels) is not well understood from a mechanistic standpoint. The most likely explanation is that the nitrite and nitrate is removed in a manner similar to the way ammonia is removed; i.e. it is bound and held in a inert state until such time that bacteria in the biological filter are able to take a hold of it, break it apart and use it. Two other possible scenarios are reduction to nitrogen (N₂) gas or conversion into a benign organic nitrogen compound.

How often can I dose Prime®?

Prime® can be dosed every 24-48 hours.

If Prime® is removing ammonia from the system, won’t that starve the beneficial bacteria?

Prime® does not remove ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate from the system. It simply binds with those compounds making them harmless to the inhabitants and still bioavailable to the beneficial bacteria.

How long does Prime® stay bound to the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates?

Prime® will bind up those compounds for up to 48 hours. If they are still present after that time frame, they are released back into the water, unless Prime® is re-dosed accordingly. Also, if your ammonia or nitrite levels are increasing within a 24-hour period, Prime® can be re-dosed every 24 hours.

When should I use the emergency dose of 5 x the recommended amount of Prime®?

If your ammonia or nitrite levels are above 2 ppm, you can safely use up to 5 x the recommended amount.

Does Prime® expire?

No, as long as Prime® has been stored properly, it will last indefinitely.