Test kit expiry date

maleks.reef · Nov 18, 2020

Im currently in the proccess of setting up my tank and of course i need to buy some test kits. I decided to check out a local website similar to Facebook marketplace and found a guy selling a slightly used API MASTER saltwater test kit (ph, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) for a quarter of the original price. I am tempted to buy it but i am afraid that the test kits have expired. He bought them a year ago and used them a few times only. On the box, it says the expiry date is in 2022. Should I go ahead and buy it? Or would it be expired and give me wrong results? Thanks.

Spieg · Nov 18, 2020

Sounds like expiration date should be safe, BUT... API would be my last choice for test kits (even if it was free).

Marine Life · Nov 18, 2020

Mindgames said:
Im currently in the proccess of setting up my tank and of course i need to buy some test kits. I decided to check out a local website similar to Facebook marketplace and found a guy selling a slightly used API MASTER saltwater test kit (ph, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) for a quarter of the original price. I am tempted to buy it but i am afraid that the test kits have expired. He bought them a year ago and used them a few times only. On the box, it says the expiry date is in 2022. Should I go ahead and buy it? Or would it be expired and give me wrong results? Thanks.

Don't buy it. And I would also not recommend an API test kit because they are not very accurate. And if you are looking for something cheap and accurate I recommend salifert test kits.

NeonRabbit221B · Nov 18, 2020

Don't buy API. Might be alright to get you through cycling testing but its trash after the first month.

maleks.reef · Nov 19, 2020

Spieg said:
Sounds like expiration date should be safe, BUT... API would be my last choice for test kits (even if it was free).

Marine Life said:
Don't buy it. And I would also not recommend an API test kit because they are not very accurate. And if you are looking for something cheap and accurate I recommend salifert test kits.

NeonRabbit221B said:
Don't buy API. Might be alright to get you through cycling testing but its trash after the first month.

Oh wow is API really that bad? Im torn between salifert and API.

homer1475 · Nov 19, 2020

Yes API is that bad.

They are alright for a quick glance to see whats going on, but they are in no way anywhere near accurate in SW.

Salifert will never steer you wrong.

Super Fly · Nov 19, 2020

Mindgames said:
Oh wow is API really that bad? Im torn between salifert and API.

API's are messy to use and also does not provide as precise reading as other brands mentioned in this thread. Do urself a favor and get the Salifert, won't regret it.

maleks.reef · Nov 19, 2020

Super Fly said:
API's are messy to use and also does not provide as precise reading as other brands mentioned in this thread. Do urself a favor and get the Salifert, won't regret it.

homer1475 said:
Yes API is that bad.

They are alright for a quick glance to see whats going on, but they are in no way anywhere near accurate in SW.

Salifert will never steer you wrong.

Alright then, saliifert it is. I think im going to buy the nitrate and phosphate ones only for now. Do you think that is okay? I dont see the point in buying ammonia and nitrite to use it a couple of times and then put it away after the cycle.

NeonRabbit221B · Nov 19, 2020

Mindgames said:
Alright then, saliifert it is. I think im going to buy the nitrate and phosphate ones only for now. Do you think that is okay? I dont see the point in buying ammonia and nitrite to use it a couple of times and then put it away after the cycle.

Not a bad idea at all. Might be good long term to have an ammonia test kit just incase you need to rule out an issue or cause of death. I havn't touched mine since cycling though.

Spieg · Nov 19, 2020

Sounds like a plan, but you'll eventually want to test Phosphate and Alkalinity (I'd give serious consideration to Hanna Checkers for those tests). Also a lot of folks prefer Nyos for Nitrate testing (just putting it out there for consideration...) probably what I'm going to use when I run out of reagents for my red sea test kit.

maleks.reef · Nov 19, 2020

Spieg said:
Sounds like a plan, but you'll eventually want to test Phosphate and Alkalinity (I'd give serious consideration to Hanna Checkers for those tests). Also a lot of folks prefer Nyos for Nitrate testing (just putting it out there for consideration...) probably what I'm going to use when I run out of reagents for my red sea test kit.

Those hanna checkers are really attractive. they look so simple and easy to use but they do come with a hefty price, unfortunately. I will start off with nitrate and phosphate and then eventually get Alk, Cal, and mag kits.

homer1475 · Nov 19, 2020

While the Hanna's are expensive, ease of use, not having to compare color, or watch for a color change, and repeatability come at a price.

Salifert ALK = $17.00 @ 100 tests
Hanna ALK = $50.00 @ 25 tests + 8.00 every 25 tests. = $75.00 @ 100 tests initially. After the initial checker cost, for 100 tests it would cost $32.00 in reagent.