Test kit expiration

[slt wtr stupid]

I have read on here that you should replace your test kit every year and to watch the expiration date.
Heres my question is it a year from the date that you open it or frome the day that it was produced?
I use and API kit and it has no expiration date on it that i can find i also looked when i bought it and couldn't find one i've been getting high nitrate readings and was just courious if this could be the cause i noticed just today that the back paper on it it says 2006 Aquarium Pharmaceuticals could this be when it was made?

 

[camanuch]

i use API as well. i am very curiuos to hear an answer to this. i am nt sure as well.

 

[seagoblin333]

Originally Posted by slt wtr stupid
http:///forum/post/2583352
the back paper on it it says 2006 Aquarium Pharmaceuticals could this be when it was made?
It sounds more like the establishment date of the company, and IMO yes I would would replace a kit once every year from when you bought it not when you opened it.

 

[srfisher17]

I'd e-mail the mfg; most companies have very good tech support. Nitrate tests are notoriously inaccurate and I try to find a good source to compare results. A GOOD lfs should have a reliable test that they know is accurate. I've had new, brand name test kits that were fine on ammonia and nitrite; but not even close on nitrate. There is also a mail service advertising that does lab-quality testing at a decent price. Once you know the true results, it should be easy to adjust your own results to a "close enough" reading for nitrate.

 

[seagoblin333]

Red Sea has never let me down yet with three test kits so far. Just my 2 cents.

 

[slt wtr stupid]

Bump

 

[lsu]

I used API when I first started. I later switched to salifert for accuracy issues. Salifert prints expiration dates on their kits, so I assume they can all go bad eventually. Glad you posted this, I checked my kits and my calcium kit expires next month.