Cab Prime be used to control this?

[chrisf]

Hi,

Now that my tank has a stabalised bio filter, can I use Prime as a way of stopping amonia/nitrite spikes during the first week or so of adding fish?

If so what is the best plan, should I dose every day for a week or so or just the full tank when the fish are introduced?

I am looking to add 3 large discus into a 60gal tank. Because of circimstances I am forced to add them at the same time. I am concerned that there may be a sudden spike in toxins due to the sudden increase in waste material from the large fish.

[Naja002]

Wait for Seachem to respond, but this is what I do:

My projects require large influxes of Feeder Fish per gallon of water (especially in the Feeder Fish Holding tank). I use Prime, Stability and the Ammonia Alerts to handle the situation. I looked for well over a year for a solution to this problem that didn't involve large daily water changes or Multiple water changes per day. Above is the solution that I came up with that works.

Let's use 20gals. for a way-overcrowded feeder fish holding tank that starts out empty of life. I add the fish (6 dozen minnows and 2 dozen 3"-5" Comet Goldfish), about 4 caps (20ml) of Prime and about 4 caps (20ml) of Stability. The Ammonia Alert is and has already been in the water and equilibriated. Several hours later (6-8) I repeat the Prime and Stability. Then again at about 12 hrs after the initial introduction of the feeder fish. Then I do a 50% water change and dose again after another 12 hrs (24hrs Total). Then I just repeat the above for the next 24 hrs and usually everything is just fine. I keep an eye on the ammonia alert and anytime it starts to show free-ammonia--I dose more Prime and Stability, unless it basically time for a Water Change--then I just do that first. Normally after 48 hrs there is enough bacteria built up to handle the bioload.

HTH

[Tech Support JR]

If the bio filter is stabalized you coudl add a dose of Stability in with each addition or even simply weekly. You can use Prime for this as you mentioned but Stability is really targeting the issue for a better long term resolution.