Description
Seachem Combo Alert
The Seachem Alert Combo is a monitoring system designed for aquariums, combining Ammonia Alert® and pH Alert® sensors to provide continuous, real-time monitoring of free ammonia and pH levels. These small, unobtrusive devices eliminate the need for traditional test kits, offering a convenient and reliable way to track critical water parameters. The combo pack is available in 6-month or 1-year versions, with the 1-year version including a replacement pH sensor. It is suitable for freshwater aquariums, with the Ammonia Alert® also compatible with marine setups.
Benefits:
- Continuous Monitoring: Provides real-time readings of free ammonia and pH, allowing immediate detection of harmful conditions without manual testing.
- Ease of Use: No chemicals, test strips, or complex procedures are required, making it ideal for hobbyists seeking simplicity.
- Long-Lasting: Ammonia Alert® lasts over a year, and pH Alert® lasts 3–6 months (1-year pack includes a replacement), outlasting many competing products.thetechden.com.aubackwateraquatics.com
- Unobtrusive Design: Small (1.5″ x 2.5″) and clear, the sensors blend into the aquarium without detracting from its appearance.
- Early Warning System: Detects free ammonia (the toxic form) at levels as low as 0.05 mg/L, alerting users to potential issues before fish or corals show stress.seachem.com
- Cost-Effective: Offers peace of mind at an affordable price, with the 1-year combo costing approximately a dollar a month.
Features:
- Ammonia Alert®:
- Continuously monitors free ammonia (NH3), the harmful form, with a colour-changing sensor (yellow to green to blue) indicating levels from SAFE (<0.05 mg/L) to TOXIC (0.5 mg/L).
- Detects as little as 0.02 mg/L free ammonia, corresponding to 0.25 mg/L total ammonia in marine water (pH 8.3) or 3.6 mg/L in freshwater (pH 7.0).
- Response time: ~15 minutes for rising ammonia, ~4 hours to revert from TOXIC to SAFE.
- Suitable for marine and freshwater; not recommended for acidic pH (<7.0), as free ammonia is negligible in such conditions
- pH Alert®:
- Monitors pH in freshwater aquariums, with a sensor changing colour (yellow to orange to red) to indicate pH shifts between 5.4 and 8.0.
- Initial response time: ~30 minutes; subsequent pH changes register within 10 minutes.
- Freshwater use only
- Compact Design: Both sensors are 1.5″ x 2.5″, clear, and unobtrusive, ensuring minimal visual impact.
- No Chemicals or Calibration: Sensors require no additional reagents or calibration, simplifying maintenance.
- Reversible Sensors: Colour changes are reversible, providing continuous feedback as water conditions change.
- Longevity: Ammonia Alert® lasts over 9 times longer than competitors (1 year vs. 4–6 weeks); pH Alert® lasts 3–6 months.
How to Use:
Setup:
- Remove Ammonia Alert® and pH Alert® sensors from their packaging.
- Place both sensors in a visible location in the aquarium or filter (e.g., main tank, sump, or filter compartment) where they are submerged or exposed to water flow. Use the provided suction cups for secure attachment.
Reading the Sensors
Ammonia Alert®:
- Yellow or faint yellow-green: SAFE (<0.05 mg/L free ammonia).
- Greenish hue: ALERT (~0.05 mg/L).
- Green to blue: ALARM (~0.2 mg/L).
- Dark blue: TOXIC (~0.5 mg/L). Perform an immediate water change or use Seachem AmGuard™ for emergency ammonia detoxification.
pH Alert®:
- Yellow: ~5.4 pH (acidic).
- Orange: ~7.0 pH (neutral).
- Red: ~8.0 pH (alkaline).
- Read under natural daylight or daylight-simulating light for best accuracy.
Testing Sensor Functionality:
- For Ammonia Alert®, briefly hold the sensor near an ammonia source (e.g., Windex bottle) to confirm responsiveness; it should turn dark blue and revert to its original colour within ~1 hour.
- For pH Alert®, verify readings with a trusted test kit (e.g., API Freshwater Master Test Kit) if accuracy is questioned, as pH sensors may be less reliable in some conditions.
Maintenance:
- Clean sensors periodically with a soft, clean cloth to remove algae. Avoid bleach, soap, detergents, or abrasive objects.
- Handle sensors carefully, avoiding contact with the sensor surface to prevent damage from skin oils. Use tweezers if needed.
- Replace pH Alert® when colours fade or wash out (typically 3–6 months). The 1-year combo includes a replacement pH sensor. Ammonia Alert® typically lasts a full year.
Precautions:
- Ammonia Alert® detects only free ammonia (NH3), not total ammonia (NH3 + NH4+). Water conditioners like Seachem Prime® may complex ammonia, rendering it undetectable by the sensor, though complexed ammonia is non-toxic.
- pH Alert® is for freshwater only and should not be used in marine aquariums.
Certain dye-based medications may discolour sensors, affecting accuracy. - In acidic conditions (pH <7.0), Ammonia Alert® may not detect free ammonia, as it is chemically negligible.
- For accurate Ammonia Alert® readings, check with aquarium lights off and room lights on to avoid false SAFE readings caused by lighting interference.
