SEACHEM PRIME 250ML
Prime is the complete and concentrated conditioner for both fresh and salt water. Prime removes chlorine, chloramine and ammonia. Prime converts ammonia into a safe, non-toxic form that is readily removed by the tank’s biofilter. Prime may be used during tank cycling to alleviate ammonia/nitrite toxicity. Prime detoxifies nitrite and nitrate, allowing the biofilter to more efficiently remove them. It will also detoxify any heavy metals found in the tap water at typical concentration levels. Prime also promotes the production and regeneration of the natural slime coat. Prime is non-acidic and will not impact pH. Prime will not over activate skimmers. Use at start-up and whenever adding or replacing water.
Why It’s Different
Nearly all companies manufacture a product that removes chlorine. None of those, however, can compare in quality, concentration, or effectiveness to Seachem’s flagship product: Prime. Prime is the second most concentrated dechlorinator on the market after Seachem Aquavitro Alpha™. A single 100ml bottle will treat 1000 US gallons of tap water. Prime will remove both chlorine and chloramines from municipal water supplies.
Prime also contains a binder which renders ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate non-toxic. It is very important to understand how those two functions work together. All dechlorinators operate through a chemical process known as reduction. In this process, toxic dissolved chlorine gas (Cl2) is converted into non-toxic chloride ions (Cl-). The reduction process also breaks the bonds between chlorine and nitrogen atoms in the chloramine molecule (NH2Cl), freeing the chlorine atoms and replacing them with hydrogen (H) to create ammonia (NH3).
Typically, dechlorinators stop there, leaving an aquarium full of toxic ammonia! Seachem takes the necessary next step by including an ammonia binder to detoxify the ammonia produced in the reduction process.
Be very careful when purchasing water conditioners. If your municipality includes chloramines in the water supplies, a standard sodium thiosulfate dechlorinator is not enough. Prime promotes the natural production and restoration of the slime coat rather than relying on artificial or non-native slime compounds. A further bonus for the reef hobbyist – Prime will not over activate protein skimmers.
Directions
Use 1 capful (5ml) for each 200L (50 gallons) of new water. This removes approximately 1mg/L ammonia, 4mg/L chloramine, or 5mg/L chlorine. For smaller doses, please note each cap thread is approx. 1ml. 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 odour 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.
250ml
Gertrude J. Powell –
I used the recommended dose and still got a chlorine reading in my tap water. Maybe my water’s unusually hard or treated with something odd, but for me, this didn’t work as advertised. Had better luck with a basic dechlorinator.
Billie M. Ritz –
As someone who moves fish between tanks fairly often, I swear by Prime. It’s my go-to for quick cycling and keeping ammonia/nitrite stress down during transitions. No cloudy water, no weird reactions. Just clean, safe water. My discus and loaches seem way less stressed since I started using it regularly.”
Richard L. Sherman –
I bought Prime based on all the hype, but honestly, I think it’s overkill for smaller tanks like my 10-gallon betta setup. It works, no doubt—but with the price and smell, I might switch to something milder next time. Might be better suited for larger or more heavily stocked tanks.”
Louella J. Little –
Great product, but the smell is intense. It works like a charm for dechlorinating and detoxifying, especially when adding new fish. I just wish they’d come up with a version that was a little less harsh on the nose. Still, I’d recommend it because it does what it claims without harming delicate species like shrimp.”
Felix L. Liggett –
I’ve been in the aquarium hobby for over a decade, and Prime is one of the very few products I consider indispensable. What sets it apart is how concentrated it is—I only need a tiny amount to treat large volumes of water. This 250ml bottle lasts me months even with weekly water changes. Also, I’ve used it during emergency ammonia spikes, and it genuinely helps. Absolute lifesaver.”