test kit questions

[danclark]

do freshwater ammonia test kits expire?

i have two of the same test kits, they both give me different results. does anyone know the self life of these things?

 

[jm1212]

Yes, all test kits expire. Usually, this is a few years after you purchase them

 

[Ashes2ashes]

Yes they expire. If it is an API test kit then it will have a lot number printed on the bottle and they are usually good for between 2 and 3 years after that date. Im not sure how to tell expiration on other kits, but in short, yes they do expire.

 

[danclark]

thanks for the reply loks like im off to the pet store to get new test kits then.

 

[jpappy789]

http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/t...ion-api-freshwater-master-test-kit-users.html

 

[Cerianthus]

do freshwater ammonia test kits expire?

i have two of the same test kits, they both give me different results. does anyone know the self life of these things?

Out of curiosity, what brand are they? Are they exactly the same NH3 test kits?

 

[jpappy789]

http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/t...ion-api-freshwater-master-test-kit-users.html

Ooops, I assumed API...if not, they should still expire but you'll have to do some digging on specifics.

 

[danclark]

Ooops, I assumed API...if not, they should still expire but you'll have to do some digging on specifics.

they are api thank you for that post that was very informative i saved it to a bookmark for future reference. i had two older sets of the ammonia test kit, wich gave me different readings one read zero, the other read 2-4 ppm its hard to distinguish those greens for me. then i tested with my friends master salterwater kit wich also said it high around the 2 ppm reading. then i bought a new one today and this one has a lot number of 0210..so feb 2010 it also gives me a high reading...did a massive water change and tested again reduced me reading by half. thank you for your post about the exp ad percedure to get a more accurate reading

 

[danclark]

all three were the api nh3 test kits ranging form 6-4 years old and now my new one...surpisingly the one that gave the zero reading was the 4 year old one. it was a little crusty around the top.. so maybe it forming the solids effected the read outs.

 

[Cerianthus]

all three were the api nh3 test kits ranging form 6-4 years old and now my new one...surpisingly the one that gave the zero reading was the 4 year old one. it was a little crusty around the top.. so maybe it forming the solids effected the read outs.

Do they all have same color charts from yellowish to green and 2 reagents for each test kit??

Crystallne substance build ups can affect the outcome.