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Hi all,
In my last couple of posts I asked questions regarding test results I got using the "Freshwater Master Test Kit" from Aquarium Pharmaceuticals. I also emailled them regarding the use by dates of their products.
This is the reply I quote in full,
Cam,

Thank you very much for contacting us regarding our products. All of your comments and questions are valuable. We use your feedback to create the most effective line of aquarium and pond products available.

In response to your question, each reagent bottle has a Lot # printed on the bottle. The last four digits are the month and year of manufacture. Example: Lot # 28A0102. This is a pH reagent manufactured in January of 2002. Ammonia, pH, High Range pH, Nitrate, Salt Level and GH all last for three years. Nitrite and KH will last for four years. I would not trust these kits after they have expired. If you have any other questions or wish to discuss this further, please email back or give us a call at 1-800-847-0659.

To receive email notification about our new product releases, hot fish keeping tips and our latest reference center updates,
please click here <http://www.aquariumpharm.com/nlsignup.html]

Best Regards,

Jason C. Grives
Technical Service and Research
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Mars Fishcare Group

As it turns out my Kit is out of date as of June 2004, well now in fact.
I hope this helps others.

I have had that experience...I bought kits when I started and the numbers I was coming up with were WAY outta whack. I didnt know any better and was doing water changes like crazy not knowing what was going on. Then someone suggested testing my tap water...it showed high levels of ammonia and nitrates in my tap water. I looked at the dates on the package (cant remember the brand) and they were expired by a year! I called the store where I purchased them ( a little hole in the wall place) and they refunded my money after giving me crap about not having a receipt. I later went back to the same store and out of curiosity I looked and the shelf was full of out of date test kits

Needless to say, I wont go back there for anything. They obviously dont care about the customers or the fish! Thanks for posting this.

OK I feel better now

[span class="edited"][Edited by 2004-05-25 07:37][/span]

The mystery is solved!!!!! That's some useful info. Thanx!

Thanks for the info.

I'm going to start cycling a new tank so I ordered the same kit yesterday from an online store called Big Al's.
I havent received it yet, so I'll check the dates when it arrives.

that is very useful to know

i just wish that they would say right on the box...expires on 01/05 or something like that....otherwise...how do you know that the last 4 digits are the date they were made and they are only good for 3 years??

Hi all,
nothing new to add just bringing the info up to the top again as it has come up in another thread and others might like to read it.