Do Test Kits Go Out Of Date?

Michelleuk · May 23, 2011

TwoTankAmin · May 23, 2011

Yes they do.

algir · May 23, 2011

3 years from the manufacturing date. The date is on the bottom of the bottles, it is the last 4 digits.

eaglesaquarium · May 23, 2011

Last four digits usually at MMYY, for example: April 2011 would be 0411

Bignose · May 23, 2011

It isn't just a fixed amount of time, though. A kit stored in a cool, dry, dark place will be in much better shape than a kit stored in a warm, humid, bright place. All three can dramatically shorten the lifetime of the kit reagents. Oxygen is also detrimental to the test results, so every time it is opened a little more oxygen enters. If stored in a cool, dry, dark place, a kit that is used regularly will probably only last 12 months or so.

It isn't just a fixed amount of time, though. A kit stored in a cool, dry, dark place will be in much better shape than a kit stored in a warm, humid, bright place. All three can dramatically shorten the lifetime of the kit reagents. Oxygen is also detrimental to the test results, so every time it is opened a little more oxygen enters. If stored in a cool, dry, dark place, a kit that is used regularly will probably only last 12 months or so.