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CrimsRayne 
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 Topic: old stuff still good?
Posted: May 31 2012 at 1:13pm |
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I have a bunch of test kits and add-ins that are at least 4 years old... They have been stored in drawers so they have been kept relatively cool and dry. Are they still good or should I invest in new stuff? Add-ins include CA, Alk, Iodine, etc... do these "go bad" or can I just shake them up and use them like normal?
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"What we know from this hobby is too hard to share with the people who just want to look and not get wet." -Rioreefer
"The Puffer Girl"
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aquablue
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Posted: May 31 2012 at 3:02pm |
From what I can tell after checking some test kits I had left over in storage for nearly 5 years they seemed to work just fine when compared to my new kits, I can't speak for all types of regents and test types but my CA and Alk kits were fine I know. The iodine (potassium iodide) additive regardless of what the date on the bottle may say has a stable lifetime of around 6 to 7 years before degrading, and after that it's still a slow decay. Are the CA and Alk additives powder or liquid?
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CrimsRayne
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Posted: May 31 2012 at 3:06pm |
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The CA and Alk are liquids, but I think I have some powder too.
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"What we know from this hobby is too hard to share with the people who just want to look and not get wet." -Rioreefer
"The Puffer Girl"
Zoo freak :)
West Jordan
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aquablue
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Posted: May 31 2012 at 3:14pm |
I'd shake up the CA additive and add it to a little RO water, see if any solid white chunks drop to the bottom that won't dissolve, if a lot do then it's not going to be 100% potent but is still usable. The Alk is likely fine.
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Adam Blundell
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Posted: May 31 2012 at 6:29pm |
I'd use them. I'd consider testing your water, then having someone else test it and compare just to make sure the first time.
Adam
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CrimsRayne
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Posted: June 01 2012 at 1:21pm |
 Adam Blundell wrote:
I'd use them. I'd consider testing your water, then having someone else test it and compare just to make sure the first time.
Adam |
Oh right... I totally forgot that I could take some water to the LFS and get a second opinion. Now if I can just manage to go to the LFS and NOT buy anything that won't survive the merging of tanks... 
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"What we know from this hobby is too hard to share with the people who just want to look and not get wet." -Rioreefer
"The Puffer Girl"
Zoo freak :)
West Jordan
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