Is My Test Kit Out Of Date?

[lukkylady]

i bought a test kit for ph, amm, nitrite and nitrate a few months ago

and doing tests tonight, noticed that it said 2006 on it

is this out of date and would give me false readings?

and how long do test kits last for when purchased?

 

[kj23502]

Hi, I've read they are good for 1 year, however, I had an older ammonia test kit (only a year or two) and compared it to the new one I bought and they were exactly the same.

One thing you could do is run the tests and then take a water sample to your lfs and have them do a test for you. See how they compare.

 

[ox5477]

alot of these chemicals tests have chemical markers suspended in solution and when left to sit they can come out of solution and rest on the bottom or stick to the bottle walls. Usually, you can jsut give the bottle a good vigorous shake and reintroduce the solids into solution.

But, that said, I wouldn't take any chance so I would go with a new test kit if the manufacturers date is out of date. But they could prob still be used if in a pinch

 

[SkiFletch]

pH test kits last for a bunch of years. Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate may not be as accurate but will still give you an idea if there is a problem...

 

[kj23502]

nitrate may not be as accurate but will still give you an idea if there is a problem...

My nitrate test always gives me a problem LOL. I hate doing it. Shake it at this point for at least this time and then shake it at this point for this long....the instructions state if I don't do it exactly how the instructions state my results could be wrong. Sheeesh. That test is a pain...
Although I still go by my wall clock (it has a second hand) and try to follow it exactly. It's just a pain in the butt

 

[ox5477]

ya, chemistry can be a pain sometimes. But to get accurate results, its prob best to continue following the directions the manufacturer supplies you.