Sera Test kits vs Seachem Prime

I admid I did not even search the forum now. I know I read about this before and that there was a lot of views, I think.

So, is the above statement correct? I mean, NH3/4, NO2, NO3, stays what it is. If it is present, any test kit should indicate so?

 

For those interested, I share the answer I got from Sera. See below.

For the argument that if you use prime, you still get an Ammonia reading, even when it has been rendered 'safe', I also disagree. I use prime to dechlorinate, yet my NH3 NH4 NO2 readings is zero for ammonia and very low for NO2. Only my NO3 readings is elevated before a WC. I therefore see no reason to stop using Prime in order to get credible results from my Sera test kit.

 

Just a correction, my ammonia is not at zero, it is showing a color change toward 0.5, but not nearly there. Therefore it is quite acceptable, as otherwise the bacteria would starve.

 

Sounds like Dr. Bodo "whatever" Schnell had abit of a attitude there.

 

hehe, no, I do not think so. He is quite nice and helpfull overall.

 

Hi Tom.k

I stand corrected you may by all means choose to test your water parameters with whatever product, I also use Sera but have read this info regarding Prime on seachem's site.
Here is the link http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/MT_Ammonia.html
Kind regards
Jane

 

Thanks for the link Jane. That puts it more into perspective. So what they are saying, is if you use Prime, or something similar, to control the ammonia in the water, other test kits will not work, because they will still show high readings of ammonia, while Seachem test kits will know the difference and give the correct level of the part which is toxic. Fair and good, that may be so. But, it is also a sales pitch, designed to make you rush out and go buy their kit and chuck your Sera or whatever, whereas it is not necessary to do so.

Why am I saying that? Because we do not use Prime to control ammonia in our tanks. We use bio filters and water changes. We use Prime as a de-chlorinator to pre treat tap water. So we do not wait for NH3 levels to get too dangerous and then add a high dose of Prime, to counter it, like prescribed in the directions. (They do not state that you must do it, but that you may in case of emergency) You may do this, but I doubt that anyone is doing it. Therefore we do not have Prime turning our NH3 into NH4+ and therefore do not get false readings on our Sera kits.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. I have peace of heart as I understand this now. I will keep on using my Sera kit, till it is finished. Then I will re-visit the issue, do price comparisons and buy accordingly.

Thanks again