The difference between Seachem Prime versus Pond Prime

[dnalex 13,633]

Because I was getting ready to order another big bottle of Prime, and because I heard from others in the past that Pond Prime (made by Seachem, but listed as Water Gardens Oasis) is the more concentrated version of Prime, I wanted to check on this before making a purchase. So, I called Seachem tech support. This is the answer I got:

Seachem Prime and Pond Prime are exactly the same! However, because with ponds you are dealing with much larger surface areas, you actually don't need to use as much Prime. So, in ponds, you are actually using 1/2 the dosage you are using in aquariums, which is why it seemed like Pond Prime is more concentrated. It is not.

So, for those of you who have been using Pond Prime in your tanks at the dosage recommended on the bottle, you are actually only half dosing.

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[horserider36 508]

Good to know Thanks!

[ashlee18 1,169]

Very interesting. You reminded me that I need another liter or two lol

[dnalex 13,633]

Lol. That's why I had to check. I need to order another 2L.

[horserider36 508]

Lol. That's why I had to check. I need to order another 2L.

Good heavens that's alotta Prime...

[dnalex 13,633]

I do a lot of WCs

[kukana d 57]

Lol. That's why I had to check. I need to order another 2L.

Good heavens that's alotta Prime...

OMG,the last bottle I got-just a couple of weeks ago,is 4L and I need to order more!

[tithra 4,917]

Can you explain to me why you wouldn't need as much prime because a pond has a larger surface area? This confuses me

[dnalex 13,633]

I actually don't know why, and should have asked the tech when I was on the phone with him.

What I suspect is that the dose they recommend is already pretty high, so cutting it in half is still more than sufficient. It's the same way why you can use only half doses when the temp is in the 80s.

[kukana d 57]

Does it have something to do w/ the oxygen,maybe?

[dnalex 13,633]

I will call them tomorrow to ask, and update the thread

[Finnage 6]

I can't comment on the surface area side of things but I know that Chlorine and Chloramine can be broken down by sunlight/ UV radiation to a certain extent. So that might be the reason behind lower Prime dosage for ponds since ponds get way more sunlight than an aquarium.

[shakaho 6,312]

From seachem:

Re: Is there a difference between Aquarium Prime and Pond Prime?

They are the exact same product and concentration. The dosage for a pond is less because a pond has more surface area that can gas off some chlorine. If you use the Pond Prime for an aquarium please use the normal aquarium Prime's dosage directions.

[tithra 4,917]

From seachem:

Re: Is there a difference between Aquarium Prime and Pond Prime?

They are the exact same product and concentration. The dosage for a pond is less because a pond has more surface area that can gas off some chlorine. If you use the Pond Prime for an aquarium please use the normal aquarium Prime's dosage directions.

huh, very interesting! I had no idea that would make that so much of a difference.

[Finnage 6]

I wonder what gas off means? Is it like evaporating?

[kukana d 57]

From seachem:

Re: Is there a difference between Aquarium Prime and Pond Prime?

They are the exact same product and concentration. The dosage for a pond is less because a pond has more surface area that can gas off some chlorine. If you use the Pond Prime for an aquarium please use the normal aquarium Prime's dosage directions.

Makes sense! I knew it would be something like that............