API test kit lifespan?

[Sea-agg09]

Does anyone know about the lifespan of the Ammonia,Nitrite, and Nitrate tests for the API test kits? Mine are getting pretty old, at least a year, and I'm getting all 0 for everything... This would seem great, except I have plants, so I want some nitrates. pH seems to be working right though.

This baffles me since in my native tank I have algae going out of control. I've got what looks like the green slime of death slowly making it's way across my gravel. As I remove it, it comes back over night... I'm adding CO2 to try to boost the plants metabolism, as well as adding an ammonia removing resin...

[imagirlgeek]

Each bottle has a Lot # printed on the bottle. The last four digits are the month and year they were manufactured.

Last 3 years
Ammonia
High Range pH
Nitrate
GH

Last 4 years
Nitrite
KH

Last 5 years
pH

[Sea-agg09]

yeah... 0806... that explains alot. getting a fresh batch of ammonia remover going....

[jarrodaden]

When in doubt, take a bottle of tank water to the LFS and get a verification. Some like Fish Gallery will test for free.

[Sea-agg09]

Yeah, most places do it for free if you ask for a specific test. I am just so sure the nitrates are through the roof, I don't really need to run it.