Seachem MultiTest: Ammonia 75 Tests
Pack size
75+ tests
Water type
Freshwater + Marine
Seachem MultiTest: Ammonia 75 Tests
The only ammonia test that still reads correctly while you're dosing Prime. Seachem MultiTest Ammonia measures both total ammonia (NH3 + NH4+) and toxic free ammonia (NH3) down to less than 0.05 mg/L, in freshwater and marine aquariums. It uses Seachem's gas-exchange sensor technology – the same sensor used in Seachem Ammonia Alert – so unlike salicylate or Nessler-based kits, it isn't fooled by ammonia-binding conditioners such as Prime, Safe or AmGuard, which can break down and give false readings in conventional tests at high pH.
Why free ammonia matters
Free ammonia (NH3) is the form that harms fish gills; ionised ammonium (NH4+) is essentially non-toxic at normal pH. Most test kits only report total ammonia and can't tell the two apart. This kit separates them, so a reading tells you whether you're looking at a real emergency or a chemically-bound reading that isn't actually dangerous.
Key features
- Over 75 tests per kit – works out to about 82c per test at full retail price.
- Reads both total and free ammonia to below 0.05 mg/L, with minimal interference from common conditioners.
- Six-cavity opaque white test plate – run and compare up to six samples side by side.
- Sliding colour chart with a 5 cm viewing window for a clearer colour match than a printed card held up to the light.
- Reference sample included – check the kit itself is reading correctly whenever you doubt a result.
- Freshwater and marine – one kit works across the whole store's tank types.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tests per kit | 75+ |
| Measures | Total ammonia (NH3 + NH4+) and free ammonia (NH3) |
| Detection limit | Less than 0.05 mg/L |
| Water type | Freshwater and marine |
| Cost per test | 82c per test |
| SKU / Barcode | 725140-950 / 000116095006 |
What's included
- Total Ammonia Reagent 1
- Sensor container (6 sensors)
- Total ammonia reference sample
- Forceps and sample pipette
- Ammonia colour chart
- Multi-cavity test plate and instructions
Directions
Add a sensor to a sample well, dose with Total Ammonia Reagent 1, and read total ammonia against the sliding colour chart. Free ammonia is read from the same sensor technology used in Seachem's dedicated Ammonia Alert monitor. Run the included reference sample alongside your tank sample any time a result looks unexpected, to confirm the kit itself is reading correctly.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suitable for: freshwater and marine tanks, including tanks currently dosed with Prime, Safe, AmGuard or similar ammonia-binding conditioners.
Not suitable for: pinpointing ammonia source or location – a positive reading tells you a problem exists, not whether it's from overfeeding, an under-cycled filter or a bioload increase. Pair it with regular nitrite and nitrate testing for the full picture.
Safety
Keep away from children. The reagent contains a strong alkali and the sensor storage gel a strong acid – rinse any skin or eye contact thoroughly with water and seek medical advice if irritation persists.
Goes well with
- Seachem Ammonia Alert – the same sensor technology as an always-on in-tank monitor, for continuous ammonia awareness between test kit readings.
- Seachem MultiTest Phosphate and a nitrite/nitrate kit – for the full water-quality picture rather than ammonia in isolation.
- Seachem Prime – detoxifies ammonia while you address the cause; this kit is one of the few that reads accurately while Prime is in the water.
Warranty and delivery
Ships as a standard parcel. Reagents are chemical products – store away from direct sunlight and extreme heat, and check use-by information on the pack. Covered by the consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law in addition to Seachem's own guarantee.
Common questions
Will this kit give a false reading if I'm dosing Prime?
No – that's the specific problem it's built to avoid. Seachem's gas-exchange sensor technology reads free ammonia accurately even when ammonia-binding conditioners like Prime, Safe or AmGuard are present, unlike older salicylate or Nessler-based kits.
What's the difference between total and free ammonia?
Total ammonia is NH3 plus NH4+ combined. Free ammonia (NH3 alone) is the toxic form that actually harms fish – ammonium (NH4+) is essentially harmless at normal pH. This kit reports both, so you can tell a genuine emergency from a bound, low-risk reading.
How many tests will 75 tests actually last?
At roughly 82c per test, a kit covers 75+ individual readings – enough for weekly testing across a couple of tanks for the better part of a year, more if you're only testing one system.
Does the kit work in a marine or reef tank?
Yes – it's rated for both freshwater and marine use.
What does the reference sample do?
It's a known-value sample you can test alongside your tank water to confirm the kit itself is reading correctly, which is useful whenever a result looks surprisingly high or low.
