Shelf life of test kits?

test kits

I have also wondered this. There are no dates on the kits at all, so who knows if they expire. I would assume if they are stored in a cool place out of direct sunlight they would last for quite a while. Even when you buy new at the LFS there is no way to know how long they have been sitting on the shelf.

I read on a site once, I believe it was a company website, that said they expire after a year to 18 months. To confirm this you could easily send an email to the company that makes yours. They usually respond pretty quickly.

1.5 to 3 years

I recall most were 1.5 to 3 years.

Might have been in the old Krib site, you'd have to search there, or APD (Aquatic plant digest).

I wouldn't be surprised at ALL to find out that any given test kit at my LFS has been on their shelf for 1.5 to 3 years.

Well this is most disconcerting. I've been using mine for 5 years. But there is still so much reagent in the kit. What happens when they expire? Does that mean readings are off, or will they just not work at all. Perhaps it is a gradual degredation of accuracy.

Just a word or two if this post causes a mass disposal of test chemicals. Please, people, do not toss it in the trash or down a drain. Many communities have hazardous waste disposal drop off locations. Just check your state's Environmental agency. You can dispose of most things from pesticides to old paint and chemicals. Don't pollute the groundwater and harm our natural wild fishes.

Ed

Good point about the disposal Ed.

I managed to find a good, reputable site with some info. AP, Hagen, Tetra Shelf Lives

Turns out we understimated, 3-5 years according to the manufacturers. Edit: I just noticed it says from bottling date, so it's probably reasonable to assume 1-4 years in your possession, depending on manufacturer's suggestion.

I found this from a different article, seems to go along with what I remember from another source:

"Generally test kits have a shelf live of 6 months to 2 years"

SOURCE

I missed that part MJ, thanks. Be sure to give us an update when you finish your testing.

The funny thing is I was wondering about this same thing last night. I pulled out my ammonia and nitrite test kits that were bought about a year and 8 months ago. They both read a very low amount which is what I expected (planted tank) but it could be because the agents are weaker.

Just to update this thread, I wrote to customer service at Aquarium Pharmaceuticals (the Dr. Wellfish brand) asking about the shelf life of their test reagents. I asked if the Lot number on the bottles would help. Here is their response to me: (Cut and pasted)

"Thank you very much for contacting us regarding our products. All of your comments and questions are valuable. We use your feedback to create the most effective line of aquarium and pond products available.

The last four digits are the month and year of manufacture of the product. The ammonia, pH, GH and nitrate tests are good for 3 years. The nitrite and KH kits are good for 4 years. The master kit that you have is expired and the readings I am afraid would not be accurate.

If you have any other questions or wish to discuss this further, please email back or give us a call at 1-800-847-0659.

To receive email notification about our new product releases, hot fishkeeping tips and our latest reference center updates, please click here <http://www.aquariumpharm.com/nlsignup.html>

Best Regards,
Nathan Fekula
Technical Service and Research
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Mars Fishcare Group"




Well, sure enough, looking at my bottles' Lot numbers, they were all expired by a year or two. Using this info when I pick up my new test kit today I will ask to open it in the store and check the date. If some of them are supposed to last three years, we should make sure we are not getting jipped by getting stuff that has been sitting in a warehouse for two years and only getting one year out of it.

And to repeat my earlier request, please, do not throw old reagents down the drain or in the trash. Dispose of them properly at a hazardous waste drop off point.

Ed