DE88ROX

First of all I just want to say how much I have been enjoying this site over the last few weeks. Tons of great info!

I used to have a 30 gal. freshwater tank in my old house. About 4 years ago we moved and with finishing the basement and putting in the lawn my tank has pretty much been collecting dust all this time. (A good friend of mine took my fish) I have really been chomping at the bit the last few months to get it going again. Now that I found a good location for it, I dusted it off and set it up.

Now to my question (finally) Upon setting up the tank I found all my old test kits in the cabinet. Are the chemicals in those kits still good or should I just go out and by new ones to play it safe.

Sorry for the wordy question and thanks in advance!

agabr123

check for the expiration date, for the life of me i can't remember what it is, but i think that there is a list of numbers on the box and the last four should be the expiration date. chances are, if you've had it for four years it could very well be expired. i would go ahead and use them to see what kind of readings you get.

for the second nitrate bottle, make sure that you bang it against a counter or table a few times, and shake it for two solid minutes, maybe more since it's been a while. the ingredients crystallize and you'll get a false zero if they aren't mixed properly


oh, and this is assuming that you meant an API freshwater master test kit

Dozey

Welcome to FishLore!

The API test kits are only good for 3 years from date of manufacturing. The API master test kit seems to be the choice of most here. I would recommend replacing an old test kit. API or not the kits are bound to break down over time.

I might also suggest that any food or medicines that you might still have around may not be well advised.

DE88ROX

Thanks to both of you on your replies. I kind of thought that they would be expired but I thought I would just throw the question out there. ( it was a good excuse to make my first post hehehe)

I might as well toss everyting since im starting from scratch anyway!

have a great night!

agabr123

lol, no problem! good luck with your tank!

Mike19

Welcome, its great to hear that your starting again.

Mike

DE88ROX

Thanks again to all.

I went out and bought the gravel and an all new API test kit. I just ordered new Bio-Wheels and bearings for my penguin330. I tossed the old ones when I shut down the tank because I had no idea when it would be set up again and I knew they would get funky during that time. I was out looking at about 4 different pet/fish stores and no one had them in stock. One place wanted 15 bucks for one wheel. I told them they're crazy and that everyone else was selling them at half that price. lol Gotta love the internet in times like these. lol

Im all set now. I was going to add some water and get it cycling and just add the wheels when they come but Im going to hold off until I know everything fits and works.