Ammonia Alert

Ammonia Alert

The Seachem Ammonia Alert is an innovative color-changing device designed to continuously detect and monitor toxic free ammonia in freshwater and saltwater aquariums. The exceptionally accurate sensor changes from yellow to green to blue, reversibly, depending on the ammonia concentration in the aquarium. Ammonia is the leading cause of mortality for aquarium inhabitants. This handy device detects less than 0.05 mg/L (ppm) of free ammonia and alerts aquarists so they can take appropriate action to reduce ammonia levels.

In the absence of free ammonia, the meter turns a yellow or pale yellow-green color. It is normal for the dry sensor to turn a greenish tint. No water sampling, chemicals, or testing is required, but the dry sensor may take a few days to properly calibrate with your aquarium water parameters and provides accurate readings for over a year. In aquariums, the presence of free ammonia is continuously detectable with a response time of approximately 15 minutes. The ammonia decline response is significantly slower: it takes approximately 4 hours to go from TOXIC to SAFE after ammonia removal. The meter is half the size of competing meters, minimizing visual obstruction in the aquarium and providing over 9 times longer life.

Proper care of this device is essential to maintain its long-term accuracy and reliability. The device can be effectively cleaned with a clean, soft cloth. However, avoid touching the sensor with your fingers, as skin oils can damage it. Drying out will not permanently damage the device, but sensitivity will improve over time, provided it does not dry out completely. For optimal sensitivity, the device should be read in natural daylight or under a light source that simulates daylight. Please note that red light, which increases the intensity of green and blue hues, decreases the apparent sensitivity of the device. Some dyes may discolor the sensor.

Instructions :

A concentration as low as 0.02 mg/L of free ammonia produces a greenish tint on the detector surface. This corresponds to a total ammonia concentration (ionized and free) of 0.25 mg/L in seawater at pH 8.3. In freshwater at pH 7.0, this corresponds to 3.6 mg/L of total ammonia. Free ammonia is much more toxic than ionized ammonia. For free ammonia, the color ALERT corresponds to approximately 0.05 mg/L, ALARM to approximately 0.2 mg/L, and TOXIC to approximately 0.5 mg/L. A water change should be considered for any indication other than SAFE. The ALERT concentration is tolerated for 3 to 5 days, ALARM for 1 to 3 days, and TOXIC is increasingly harmful and requires immediate attention.