Seachem MultiTest Ammonia Test Kit

This is a must-have complement to an all-in-one kit, such as API's master test kit. Much easier to use than it may first appear-- the most challenging part is handling the sensors, which tend to stick to the metal forceps (static-- wetting the forceps helps). The free ammonia assay is as simple as pipetting 1 mL of sample into a well (label the dish with a permanent Sharpie) and dropping in a sensor. Total ammonia involves one additional step before adding the sensor (add the total ammonia reagent).A properly controlled assay for free and total ammonia requires at least four wells, since you want to control for your conditioned tap water (or whatever source you use). Since each run takes at least 15 minutes, you might as well use wells 5-6 for additional tests (the positive total ammonia control and perhaps a straight/unconditioned tap water test).Once finished, get a small bowl/cup full of clean water and drop the sensors in to rinse them. Then, pick them out and put them back in the container to dry, and they should return to their original yellow color overnight, even if you close the container lid.A few other tips:1. Keep a cup/bowl of clean water close by to rinse your forceps.2. The sensors can be tricky to handle, so place them by the side of the well(s) and use a wooden toothpick to push them in; this ensures the reactions start at essentially the same time.3. Take a picture with the scale, all on a white background with homogeneous lighting. You can then use Image J or Photoshop/similar program to semi-quantitate values, rather than eyeballing them.4. Get a pair of quality forceps. Wiha has many offerings-- makes a huge difference in handling the sensors.

The test kit consists of six small and thin yellow wafers that can be washed and reused many times. Those are placed in a little provided cup with a drop of ammonia test fluid, then you wait 15 to 30 minutes for it to turn color. The color of the wafer, which is originally bright yellow, will turn grades of purple depending on how much ammonia you have in your water. I have tried to other test kits in the past, one from API and the other was also from Seachem, which sticks onto the side of the tank all the time (which I think is called Ammonia Alert). I think this is the most accurate of the three test kits that I have, since the API test almost always gives 0.5ppm no matter what, while the Ammonia Alert always says 0 ppm. In contrast, this kit truly seems to vary based upon the ammonia level in the water. I truthfully still do not know which one of these test kits is the most accurate. But so far, this one seems to be the most accurate based on my experience. I hope this helps.

This is a ridiculously complicated test kit. I have a PhD in chemical engineering and worked in research labs for years and still found it way too complicated. I was looking for something more sensitive than test strips and was expecting this to be a solution based test where you add some drops of a reagent to a vial of water and compare the color change to a calibrated scale. Instead, the test uses "sensors", which are tiny round discs the size of a paper hole punch. You get six sensors, which are packed in a screw top vial of some slimy substance that regenerates them from one test to the next. You have to pick them up with included tweezers, which isn't easy to do without damaging them. You place them in a little chamber with several drops of aquarium water and wait 15-30 minutes for a color change. But I never achieved consistent results, even with the included standard ammonia verification sample. The color change of the discs was splotchy, not uniform and difficult to compare against the color scale. I tested the standard ammonia sample several times and got different results each time. If I can't confidently test a known sample, I sure can't trust the test for my unknown aquarium samples. I've been pleased with other Seachem tests, but I can't recommend this one. I sent it back to Amazon and am using a different test kit now.

I’ve gotten pretty solid results testing free ammonia with this kit. It has proven to be more sensitive than my Seachem Ammonia Alert disk, and I’ve seen changes in free ammonia results after using Prime and doing water changes. However the total ammonia color reading is totally off. I’ve tested this both on tap and tank water. My disks turn shades of purple which don’t correspond with the color chart at all. I’ve been relying on my API test kit for total ammonia readings, which seem accurate with tap and tank water. For reference, the pictures attached are for total ammonia readings. This same water reads .25 ppm to .5 ppm on my API test kit, which seems much more accurate. Not sure if I got faulty disks or not.Two confusing notes on the instructions. First, it says to “rinse the disks” when you are done. It doesn’t specify what type of water to rinse with. I just use water from my fridge filter, which is not distilled, but better than tap. After emailing Seachem, they said that distilled is ideal, but tap will do if that's all you have. Secondly, when testing for total ammonia it says to add a drop to the water being tested. It doesn’t specify whether to do this before or after you drop in the disk, on the disk, or if the disk should be submerged or not, etc. Playing it safe I add the drop after the disk, but not on it, and let the disk float naturally. I wish the instructions would be more specific. Edit: After emailing with Seachem, they said to add the drop after the disk, not on the disk, and to "swirl" the disk around to submerge it. The submerging and swirling is not on the instructions, so I wanted to share.Overall I’m grateful to have a free ammonia test on hand, but I wish my kit would be accurate for total ammonia as well.

I am a big fan of Seachem products, but this one disappoints. Free amonia test is always 0, total amonia is always at max, regardless of the water being tested. Same with reference sample. Maybe I have received an expired test, but there was no production/expiration date to determine validity. Waste of money.

Ok, does its job

If you're using cupramine this item is a must as normal ammonia tests will give a false positive test result.I've seen a few complaints about the instructions online but it's really easy and not difficult to use at all just don't try and wing it not knowing how to use it. Not cheap but for me it's 5/5.

Bueno

Testato più volte anche con acqua comprata, ma segnala sempre presenza di ammonio! Non sembra affidabile.