Dozey

As the great debate never seems to have been resolved I ask you for your help. Regarding the product code on the API liquid test kits I’ve never heard a definite consensus among members as to whether the product code includes the date of manufacturing or the date of expiry. We did all seem to agree that the kits expire after 3 years.

So I called today and I was told that the product code included the date a manufacture and the product was good for 3 years from that date. And this may vary from continent to continent. I called from North America. (Time of call 12:30 pm EST)

So I ask you to call as well. Maybe not today as you are likely to get the same representative as I spoke to. The number I called within North America is 1-800-847-0659.

And if we all follow the same format we should be able to put this debate to bed for each of our continents. Thanks to all that participate.

Date of call: February 6 2009
Time of call: 12:30pm EST
Continent: North America
Phone #: 1-800-847-0659
Expires: 3 years
Code: Date of manufacturing

Wyphy

I saw a post (somewhere, can't remember) that did the same thing you did, call API, and got the same info you did.

Since you didn't mention it, I'll give a sample code so everyone knows how to decode it.
From my test kit:
nitrate Test Solution, Bottle #1
17A0508

The last 4 digits are the date code, so this bottle was manufactured in May, 2008, so it expires in May, 2011.

Just a guess on my part, but the first 2 digits are probably the internal product code and the letter is the shift that made it, so product 17, 1st shift.
All my bottles have either an A or B as the 3rd digit, so maybe they only run 2 shifts; if anyone has a different letter, let us know.
I'd like to know if I'm correct, so could a couple people check their bottles and see if the first 2 digits are the same for the same bottle type?
Mine are:
ammonia 1 - 83
Ammonia 2 - 84
nitrite - 26
Nitrate 1 - 17
Nitrate 2 - 18
High Range pH - 27
pH - 28
GH - 58
KH - 59

cg49me

My ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and HR pH bottles have the same first digits as yours. My nitrate #2 has a C for the letter.

Wyphy

Interesting.
Though the sample size is quite small, since each bottle type has the same number, it appears to confirm my thought of internal product code.
If I'm correct about the shift code, then 'C' would mean a 3rd shift, so perhaps they occasionally run 3 shifts per day. Anyone have 'D' or higher?
Could also be a day of week, A=Mon., B=Tues., etc., so that would run A-E for a 5 day week, or A-G for 7 day week. Don't really know why just a day of week would be a useful tracker since there is no day of month, but who knows.

Dozey

Mine is a B... Maybe they only work Monday through Wednesday.

agabr123

lol!

Nate McFin

I would love it if they put the exp. (or manufacture date) on the box instead of the bottle. I get all kinds of funny looks at the stores. I have not found anything except at Petsmart that had a manufacture date later than 2005.

Dozey

Very nice... nothing like buying something that is already past its expiry date.

agabr123

interesting, i'll have to check that. i just ordered a new kit online and if it's already expired i'm not going to be a very happy person!!!

cg49me

I ordered mine online, and all the bottles are '08.

Nate McFin

yup and everyone thinks I am shoplifting to boot. They see me opening the box to look at the code and all eyes are glued on me. LOL
I do wait until they aren't looking to feed the bettas with THEIR food though.

agabr123

lol, good for you!!!!

Nate McFin

Back on topic though....
I will call on Monday and ask them about manufacture dates. I will also have them settle the Monday-Weds. stuff. lol

Wyphy

API makes a lot of stuff, so they may only do reagent mixes on certain days of the week, with other products on different days.
I know it was a joke, but it is a possibility, though I think it's unlikely. They probably do batches based on stock on hand.

I just got my master kit from DFS about a month ago and the earliest date on mine are the pH ones, 0408; others are 0508, 0608, 0708, even have a 1008 on a hardness bottle.
Not the freshest stuff, but could certainly be worse.
Obviously the earliest DFS could get the master kit was July, but who knows if it sat at an API warehouse or at DFS for most of those 6 months. The pH ones must have been mostly at API since they're the earliest dates.

They may not tell you the other code numbers; either the phone reps don't know or aren't allowed to reveal it, but maybe they will tell you, so good luck.