What's the minimum amount of time I should wait for Prime to do its job?

[belovedChrissy]

I have to do a 100% water change, and since it would take my heater a long time to heat up a bunch of water if it's gotten to room temperature, I'm wondering if I can get the water warm from the tap, treat it with prime, and use it soon enough so the heater doesn't have to work so hard, AND so my fish won't suffer. I have read that it works "instantly", but I'm really wanting to know if anyone's actually done this.

Thank you so much!

[LittleBettaFish]

Prime does work instantly. I use warm water from the tap, squirt in my Prime give it a swish and pour it in. I do this even with large 95% water changes and have never had any adverse effects.

I even do water changes with my fry using that exact method and have never seen any signs the Prime didn't kick in.

[Curlyfatbottom]

with the colder weather its not very wise to do 100% water change.
you usually have to wait 30 minute for the heater to cool down.
anther 30 minute for the heater to get use to the need water.
so the heater won't crack.
just do small water change more often
you'll be safe
i never use hot water from the tap b4 so i won't know.

[belovedChrissy]

Originally Posted by LittleBettaFish

Prime does work instantly. I use warm water from the tap, squirt in my Prime give it a swish and pour it in. I do this even with large 95% water changes and have never had any adverse effects.

I even do water changes with my fry using that exact method and have never seen any signs the Prime didn't kick in.

Thank you very much!

[belovedChrissy]

Originally Posted by Curlyfatbottom

with the colder weather its not very wise to do 100% water change.
you usually have to wait 30 minute for the heater to cool down.
anther 30 minute for the heater to get use to the need water.
so the heater won't crack.
just do small water change more often
you'll be safe
i never use hot water from the tap b4 so i won't know.

it won't be hot enough for it to crack. I really do need to do a 100% change, my fish is sick and on the mend :).

[LittleBettaFish]

Originally Posted by Curlyfatbottom

with the colder weather its not very wise to do 100% water change.
you usually have to wait 30 minute for the heater to cool down.
anther 30 minute for the heater to get use to the need water.
so the heater won't crack.
just do small water change more often
you'll be safe
i never use hot water from the tap b4 so i won't know.

My heaters never crack and I have been doing 95-100% water changes on my smaller tanks for two years now. Mine get unplugged and then I drain the water out. I then refill the tank with my warm, conditioned water and then plug the heater back on.

The only time one cracked was when I thought I unplugged it, hadn't, left it exposed for a while and then added new water. Was one of my expensive ones too

[Curlyfatbottom]

the difference is that i don't use warm/hot tap water.
always been using cold.
have a bad experience from it

[Myates]

I use water from the tap, after so long of keeping fish and doing water changes, I can get the temp between 75-80 most of the time just by feel lol. But never heard of not doing 100% during colder weather- as with a heater, it's always the same temp regardless of the year. But I guess if you never use warm water then I can see why you would say it. But honestly, if you don't have filters going, you should be doing 100%s unless they are naturally planted quite a bit.. the health of the fish is too important to not do it when needed, imo.
Just use an internal thermometer to keep an eye on the temp when filling it up is all.