Api Master Test Kit; New Kit Results = Expired Kit Results ?!!

Attached is a picture of comparative test results of 10 year old Test Kit – versus- Brand New Test Kit. No discernible differences in the test results; although colors are just slightly different in this picture, to the naked eye in real life they are very very close.

Background; When purchasing a second hand tank, the prior owner included a 10 year old API Master Test Kit (from 2007). I enjoyed using it and test results were very similar to results I received from using Tetra Test Strips. After reading on Fishlore that neither Tests Strips nor Expired API Master Test Kits can be trusted, I decided to purchase a Brand New “API Master Test Kit”.

Out of curiosity I decided to do a “Side by Side” tests, Old Kit – versus- New Kit. ( Note: my "pH High" reference in photo refers to the test performed, the kit has 2 pH tests, (pH range 6.0-7.6 and High Range pH 7.4-8.8)

 

Attached is a picture of comparative test results of 10 year old Test Kit – versus- Brand New Test Kit. No discernible differences in the test results; although colors are just slightly different in this picture, to the naked eye in real life they are very very close.

Background; When purchasing a second hand tank, the prior owner included a 10 year old API Master Test Kit. I enjoyed using it and test results were very similar to results I received from using Tetra Test Strips. After reading on Fishlore that neither Tests Strips nor Expired API Master Test Kits can be trusted, I decided to purchase a Brand New “API Master Test Kit”. Out of curiosity I decided to do a “Side by Side” tests, Old Kit – versus- New Kit.

hm the only thing that looks noticeably different is the pH test. I wonder why

 

Very interesting. Thanks for posting pics.

Did the expired kit still have bottles that were already opened, or were the bottles still sealed with the plastic safety tab still on the lid?

 

Very interesting. Thanks for posting pics.

Did the expired kit still have bottles that were already opened, or were the bottles still sealed with the plastic safety tab still on the lid?

All the bottles were opened when prior owner sold them to me. Bottles were labelled " 2007 "

 

I did this last year with an old 2003 kit vs a new kit with the same results for both. Makes you wonder about an expiration date.

 

I did this last year with an old 2003 kit vs a new kit with the same results for both. Makes you wonder about an expiration date.

I read several posts on this forum preaching the hazards of expired kits.
Seems the expiration date scare is a scam.......

 

Yes I thought the same thing. I don’t think my 2003 kit has an expiration date. These things last forever. No body would buy new ones.

 

That's interesting. I can clearly see a noticeable difference for each test. The old tests are all lighter. It's not enough to really change any results though.

 

I posted a while back that my 9 year old API test kit was the exact same as my brand new one. Still using the 9 year old one until things run out.

 

Thanks for posting this.

People are trying to interpret the results by any means other than believing the results.

 

I found a 2016 expired test kit, and performed a similar test.
Nitrate tested about 20-40ppm higher than a brand new kit.

Both bottle #2 were shaken for a minute (twice recommended)
because I knew the 2016 kit sat. I didn't believe it, so I retested
the expired kit 3 times, shaking 30 seconds each time.

I'm pretty sure storage conditions and frequency of use play
a part, but my expired kit show a big Nitrate difference.

Only other negilible difference was Ammonia, in which the new
kit read more ammonia... under .25ppm difference, but a variance
none the less.

 

Like most things, it's not a bad after date, it's a best before date. The manufacture can't guarentee accurate results after a certain date and don't want to be held liable. I thin k my master kit is expired. I still use it. If I get a weird result I question, I'll get a new test, but like everyone noted, the results are close enough to put them at the same levels. I wonder if every test is even the same new?

For the record, I had to buy a new KH test. I went to use my test, it never changed colors. I always had soft water, so after 20 drops, I quit. I bought a Nutrifin KH/GH test and it turns out my KH was 2 degrees.