Yes.

 

The ammonia is not neutralized but rather "locked" into a harmless molecule for at least 24-48 hours. However the ammonia is still in the tank.

 

It's not exactly harmless, it's just less toxic. The Ammonia (NH3) is converted to a less toxic version, Ammonium (NH4).

Here's a link on ammonia and ammonium: http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=357362

 

This is mostly true, Prime bonds the ammonia into what they call an "Ammonia-Prime complex", an ionized NH4 form. Seachem is very secretive when it comes to how their products work (Hallyx has an open question on their forums for a while now requesting more information). API test kits will read the ammonia-prime complex (which is safe) and as of my last search, I do not know if there is an ammonia test that will differentiate it from free ammonia.

Seachem does make a water conditioner that converts ammonia to ammonium targeted specifically at planted tanks. I quote their support rep :
"Prime can certainly be used successfully in planted tanks, but we have made a water conditioner specifically for planted tanks as part of our Aquavitro line: Premier http://www.aquavitro.com/products/premier.html). Premier converts the ammonia released when chloramine is removed into ammonium so it is easily accessible to the plants in the tank."

 

This is mostly true, Prime bonds the ammonia into what they call an "Ammonia-Prime complex", an ionized NH4 form. Seachem is very secretive when it comes to how their products work (Hallyx has an open question on their forums for a while now requesting more information).

You aren't kidding about secretive. Tried getting info out of them years ago, good luck. Anyone involved with that sort of chemistry who actually knows what it is won't comment on it, legalities with trade secret formulations & such.

 

Only trouble is, it looks like it does not neutralize ammonia or heavy metals. So those of us with ammonia in our tap water have a problem if we try to use that.

 

Seachem specifically states that Prime does not ionize ammonia NH3 into ammonium NH4+. As Vivian correctly says, Prime locks ammonia into harmless Prime-ammonia complex.

Seachem's poor writing sometimes leaves the incorrect impression that Prime converts ammonia to ammonium. If it did this it would effect the pH, which Prime does not.

The API test reads Total Ammonia Nitrogen (TAN) which is composed of ammonia and ammonium. It reads 'locked' ammonia and 'free' ammonia as the same thing.

I have to quibble with Aquavitro's description. Thiosulfate conditioners break chloramine into chlorine and ammonia. The amount of ammonia versus the amount of ammonium is determined by pH and temperature. See this chart:
Doug's Koi Calculators

 

That calculator is AWESOME! One of the most helpful things I've seen so far. Thank you.

By the calculator my ammonia is between .046 and .069
My PH is at 8.2
Nitrites 0.0
Nitrates at 20

Do those parameters tell anyone anything????
I did (as mentioned earlier) change to a new filter yesterday, but these levels have been consistent.

 

It sounds as though the nitrite-oxidizing bacteria is very efficient -- unusualy so -- in converting nitrite to nitrate.

Prime is ideal for ammonia in tapwater. When cycled, the bacteria will remove this locked ammonia within 6-12 hours and produce nitrate.

 

Sorry bout the double post....

It sounds as though the nitrite-oxidizing bacteria is very efficient -- unusualy so -- in converting nitrite to nitrate.

I know this may be just a very stupid basic question but even though the water NEVER tested positive for nitrites, I must have had some because I've got nitrates??? A month ago my nitrates were at almost 40...

 

My dad just picked up a Java fern for me. I hope my fine finned friend likes it... All I have now are silk plants so I'm pretty excited

 

Sometimes nitrite seems to go on forever. Sometimes you never see any. You have the latter, it seems. Consider yourself lucky.

Keep using Prime for that ammonia. It will zero out eventually.

 

Oooh good to know Hallyx, thanks for explaining that! Is this newer information released? I'd never heard of it until this thread! Darn SeaChem and their secretive ways haha.

 

I don't mind Seachem being taciturn. They do provide explanations. and they have a forum for answering questions. That's more than most corporations do. If they wrote better with less contradiction, they'd be even more valuable.

The info about nitrite is from various websites and forums. But a lot from corresponding with people involved in cycling and informally tracking their progress and experiences. I can then logically infer the mechanics of the cycling process in the real world.

Lil, if you meant the part about Prime locking ammonia in harmless molecule (ammonia/Prime complex) as opposed to ionizing it into ammonium, that's info straight from Seachem.

 

Lil, if you meant the part about Prime locking ammonia in harmless molecule (ammonia/Prime complex) as opposed to ionizing it into ammonium, that's info straight from Seachem.

I'd never really seen us say ammonia/Prime complex before, I know we've said it locks ammonia into a harmless molecule but I'm not sure where we got that it turned NH4 into NH3. Was that just me or am I going crazy?

 

Seachem's term for the locking molecule is "ammonia/Prime complex." I have it on good authority that the molecule is called aminomethanesulfinate.

The misinformation that Prime ionizes ammonia (NH3) into ammonium (NH4+) is all over the internet, including the Aquarium Wiki. I used to think it was the case until further research indicated otherwise.

 

Ahh okay, thank you for clearing that up! That makes more sense for sure!

 

The reason I use "harmless molecule" instead of "ammonia/Prime complex" is the glaze factor. Or they'd think I made it up. (And you know I'd make up something more interesting then that. ;-))
Can you imagine if I routinely used aminomethanesulfinate? :shock:

 

Oh haha, I know! I want to use that whenever I can though lol, aminomethanesulfinate, that's not too hard, just three latin words strung together XD But I know what you mean!