Water Test Kits

[Morphious]

Hi, can anyone tell me how long the shelf life of API liquid test kits are please?

 

[Bignose]

If they haven't been opened, and stored in a cool place out of the sunlight, it would be several years. Opened, it is going to be around 6 months to a year. The oxygen the gets into the reagent bottles ruins the accuracy of the tests.

 

[Morphious]

Cheers Bignose, I've had mine for about a year and was wondering if that is why my Ph levels are so different.

 

[PamC]

This is a response I received when I sent an email to Mars Fish Care or API with the same question. I hope this helps.

Each reagent bottle has a Lot # printed on the bottle. The last four digits are the month and year of manufacture. Example: Lot # 28A0108. This is a pH reagent manufactured in January of 2008.
Wide Range pH, High Range pH, Ammonia, Nitrate, Phosphate, Copper, Calcium and GH all last for three years.
Nitrite and KH will last for four years.
Freshwater pH (low range) and Pond Care Salt Level will last for five years.

I would not use or trust these kits after they have expired.