HELP ... Has anyone used PRIME by Seachem to remove Chloramine from city water?

[Bob Vento]

Hi all,

Has anyone used PRIME by Seachem to remove Chloramine from city water? My tank is getting low, due to evaporation, and we have had no rain to collect. I may need to fill my rain barrel with city water but am really concerned about the chloromine in the water.

I realize that chlorine will evaporate off but the chloramine does not and that is my concern. I understand that the chloramine is used to kill bacteria and I sure don't want to destroy the ecosystem I have going in my aquaponic system.

I have read some recommendations to use this in aquariums during a water change but don't know if this will be as effective in a 32 gallon rain barrel.

If I fill the rain barrel with city water, then dose it with the PRIME will that take care of my concerns about just adding city water to my Tote fish tank?

I sure could use some advise in a hurry before my fish are swimming in a shallow tank.

Regards,
Bob

P.S. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

[Chris]

I am not totally sure about this, but I faintly remember reading the bottles of prime had a warning saying "Caution: Not for use on fish for human consumption"

The last time I saw a bottle of Prime was probably 4 years ago though so definitely double check.

[Bob Vento]

There is no such warning on the bottle Chris so I called Seachem and asked them about it. The answer was that the product has never been tested on consumable fish so they have no data to provide and don't recommend consumption of edible fish. However, they just don't know for sure. I have only  dosed my city water barrel once and usually use rainwater to replenish my tank.

Although I am a little leary of eating my tilapia now, they are not big enough to even consider eating. So I hope more folks here on the forum weigh in with their opinions and suggestions.

Regards,
Bob

Chris said:

I am not totally sure about this, but I faintly remember reading the bottles of prime had a warning saying "Caution: Not for use on fish for human consumption"

The last time I saw a bottle of Prime was probably 4 years ago though so definitely double check.

[Chris]

It definitely used to say "Caution: Not for Human Consumption" I wish I was able to find an older bottle to take a picture, I may get the chance to run to the pet store today and look at the new bottles.  I did find a few websites that mention it though:

https://www.marinesgardens.com/product_info.php?products_id=679

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-249178.html

[Bob Vento]

Thanks for the links Chris, guess we won't be eating any of these current tilapia.

Wonder if their offspring would be safe to eat? 

So does that mean all of the vegetables in my aquaponic system are also not for human consumption?

Chris said:

It definitely used to say "Caution: Not for Human Consumption" I wish I was able to find an older bottle to take a picture, I may get the chance to run to the pet store today and look at the new bottles.  I did find a few websites that mention it though:

https://www.marinesgardens.com/product_info.php?products_id=679

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-249178.html

[James H Clanton]

I would recommend Chloram-X.  I keep African Cichlids and buy in bulk from http://www.jehmco.com/html/water_conditioners.html.  The people at Jehmco are very easy to work with.  Chloram-X has worked great for me. It's almost impossible to overdose and easy to use.  It's also FDA approved for use with food fish.

[Bob Vento]

Sure could have saved me some money had I had this info before buying PRIME. Only dosed my 32 gallon barrel once with PRIME. I will have to check out Chloram-X and see if this will work for me.

Wondering if I did any serious damage to my Tilapia by using Prime in 32 gallons once.

Would you eat them when they grow big enough?

Regards,
Bob

James H Clanton said:

I would recommend Chloram-X.  I keep African Cichlids and buy in bulk from http://www.jehmco.com/html/water_conditioners.html.  The people at Jehmco are very easy to work with.  Chloram-X has worked great for me. It's almost impossible to overdose and easy to use.  It's also FDA approved for use with food fish.

[RW]

I recommend getting the garden hose filter with a chlorine/chloramine filter cartridge from http://www.purewaterproducts.com/

 

[Keith Rowan]

i'd use vitamin C.. 1000mg for i think for every 100 gallons, i need to look it up.. just crush a vitamin c tab up, put it in the water, and aerate

[Bob Vento]

Tell me more Keith,

What does the vitamin C do?

Keith Rowan said:

i'd use vitamin C.. 1000mg for i think for every 100 gallons, i need to look it up.. just crush a vitamin c tab up, put it in the water, and aerate

[Keith Rowan]

i haven't had time to look for the original article, but this page mentions both vitamin c and "super chlorination" to get rid of chloramines..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chloramine

[Bob Vento]

FOOD FISH USE ClorAm-X® may be used on fishes intended for human consumption. The United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that the use of the chemical that constitutes ClorAm-X® (sodium hydroxymethanesulfonate) in water with fishes, intended for human consumption, does not come under FDA jurisdiction. For a copy of the FDA's "letter of determination" please write or fax us.

James H Clanton said:

I would recommend Chloram-X.  I keep African Cichlids and buy in bulk from http://www.jehmco.com/html/water_conditioners.html.  The people at Jehmco are very easy to work with.  Chloram-X has worked great for me. It's almost impossible to overdose and easy to use.  It's also FDA approved for use with food fish.

[Bob Vento]

I have gotten NO RESPONSE from my email I sent the manufacturer. Guess they don't want to talk about their product.

Keith,

Does the Vitamin C remove the chloramine?

Or the Chlorine or Both?

Should I letting the treated water breath for 48 hours before adding it to my aquaponic fish tank? The tank level needs to be replenished so I would appreciate an answer soon.

Thanks,
Bob