Do test kits expire?

Hi all...and thanks for all the great threads and solutions....

Do test kit chemicals expire? If so....anyone have an idea as to how long
they are good?
I test for:
Amonia,
Nitrates
Genral Hardness
pH

[Carol-Ann]

> wrote in message news:E0ubf.14069$gj1.10437@fed1read05...
> Hi all...and thanks for all the great threads and solutions....
>
> Do test kit chemicals expire? If so....anyone have an idea as to how long
> they are good?
> I test for:
> Amonia,
> Nitrates
> Genral Hardness
> pH
==================
I keep mine in a cool dry place for no more than 2 to 3 years. Accuracy
measured against new kits is not off much, and sometimes not at all. :-)
--
Reel McKoi.... frugal ponding since 1995...
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

Thank you much. Looks like it is time to get some new kits!
"Carol-Ann" > wrote in message
...
>
> > wrote in message
news:E0ubf.14069$gj1.10437@fed1read05...
> > Hi all...and thanks for all the great threads and solutions....
> >
> > Do test kit chemicals expire? If so....anyone have an idea as to how
long
> > they are good?
> > I test for:
> > Amonia,
> > Nitrates
> > Genral Hardness
> > pH
> ==================
> I keep mine in a cool dry place for no more than 2 to 3 years. Accuracy
> measured against new kits is not off much, and sometimes not at all. :-)
> --
> Reel McKoi.... frugal ponding since 1995...
> My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
> http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
> ~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>
>

[Logic316]

wrote:
> Thank you much. Looks like it is time to get some new kits!
> "Carol-Ann" > wrote in message
> ...

I don't believe the chemicals themselves decompose with age, but I've
had them dry out even with the bottles sealed tightly. The plastic in
some bottles can also deteriorate and crack after many years.

- Logic316



"Those who beat their swords into plowshares will plow for those who don't."

[~Roy]

For the most part no, but its still good to bump them up against a
new kit...Some kits are pityfull anyhow and maatching those color
cards its eay to be off one way or another no matter haow hard you
study it. Get some Aquarium Pharmiceutical FAstest or Seatest kits, or
buy Salifert kits and pat attention to the expiration dates. There has
to be a reason a lot of online webistes have "outdated" foods and
chemicals" at blowout prices..................

On Sun, 6 Nov 2005 13:49:08 -0700, > wrote:

>===<>Hi all...and thanks for all the great threads and solutions....
>===<>
>===<>Do test kit chemicals expire? If so....anyone have an idea as to how long
>===<>they are good?
>===<>I test for:
>===<>Amonia,
>===<>Nitrates
>===<>Genral Hardness
>===<>pH
>===<>
>===<>


==============================================
Put some color in your cheeks...garden naked!
"The original frugal ponder"
~~~~ }<((((o> ~~~~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~~~~~ }<(((((o>

[Dawn]

"Logic316" > wrote in message
...
> wrote:
>> Thank you much. Looks like it is time to get some new kits!
>> "Carol-Ann" > wrote in message
>> ...
>
> I don't believe the chemicals themselves decompose with age, but I've had
> them dry out even with the bottles sealed tightly. The plastic in some
> bottles can also deteriorate and crack after many years.
==========================
I know some people keep them for years. I don't. Whatever is left after
the 2nd or 3rd year I toss and replace. That's probably being wasteful as
when compared to new kits they're always so very close. Some people
recommend replacing the kits after a year. I disagree with that.
--
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>