- Forum
- DPD-FAS based testing
- Shelf Life of test kit reagents
+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 9 of 9
Thread Tools
- Show Printable Version
- Email this Page…
- Subscribe to this Thread…
Display
- Switch to Hybrid Mode
- Switch to Threaded Mode
SandyDittmer
View Profile
View Forum Posts
Lifetime Member
- Join Date
- Dec 1969
- Location
- .
- Posts
- 28
Shelf Life of test kit reagents
Hello,
I have read the chart about the shelf life of the reagents. It's very helpful, but I still want to run this by you all.
My kit (PS233) is just turning 5 years old. I have never replaced anything in it, and there's still lots left of some of them. I keep them capped, in a stable environment. They have never been subjected to prolonged heat or cold or moisture. Looks like from the chart, everything should be replaced except for a few things that remain good for "years".
Do you all replace them that frequently? Just curious. Since mine is 5 years old, guess I should just bite the bullet. I went to the Taylor website, and all I can say is it might be worth paying postage directly from them. My local pool store carries them, but their pricing is about 2 or 3 times higher.
Thanks for any input, as always.
Sandy
Reply With Quote
CarlD
View Profile
View Forum Posts
SuperMod EmeritusVortex Adjuster
- Join Date
- Dec 1969
- Location
- North Central NJ
- Posts
- 6,607
Re: Shelf Life of test kit reagents
I find I just keep my refills in a dark cabinet that doesn't get hot and they seem to be fine. That's probably a mistake, but...it works for me.
Carl
Reply With Quote
Poconos
View Profile
View Forum Posts
SuperMod EmeritusWhizbang Spinner
- Join Date
- Dec 1969
- Location
- Honesdale PA
- Posts
- 1,812
Re: Shelf Life of test kit reagents
I keep my bulk refills in the fridge and only open them to refill the little bottles. Most chemicals when refrigerated and kept dark and away from oxygen will last a long time.
Al16'x32' oval 22K gal IG vinyl pool; ; Hayward S244T sand filter; Hayward superpump 1 HP pump; hrs; K-2006; PF:5.5
See AlsoDo at-home COVID tests expire?Reply With Quote
waterbear
View Profile
View Forum Posts
Lifetime MemberSniggle Mechanic
- Join Date
- Nov 2004
- Location
- St. Augustine, Fl
- Age
- 70
- Posts
- 3,743
Re: Shelf Life of test kit reagents
The FAS titrant is probably the most unstable and should probably be replaced yearly. If it has turned pink it is decidedly bad!
The DPD powder will work even if it is black but if it clumps I would replace it.
I have seen pH reagent (Phenol Red) go bad after a few years. (easy to check if you have the acid and base demand reagents. If they don't cause the color to change the reagent is bad).
If they are kept tightly capped and have not been exposed to temperature extremes the calcium hardness and TA reagents should be fine. I don't really know the shelf life of the CYA reagent but I have gotten exactly the same results from 5 year old reagent and brand new.Hope this is helpful.
Retired pool store and commercial pool maintenance guy.
Reply With Quote
CarlD
View Profile
View Forum Posts
SuperMod EmeritusVortex Adjuster
- Join Date
- Dec 1969
- Location
- North Central NJ
- Posts
- 6,607
Re: Shelf Life of test kit reagents
Well, I DO have a definite rule for when to replace the FAS-DPD powder:
If I open the container and what's inside is moving of it's own accord I:
1) Replace the cap, closing it
2) Get rid of it.Carl
Reply With Quote
polyvue
View Profile
View Forum Posts
Registered+Thread Analyst
- Join Date
- May 2010
- Posts
- 119
Re: Shelf Life of test kit reagents
Not specific to PS23x, which is obviously named for a brand of deodorant-antiperspirant... or a public school in Brooklyn.
I store all reagents in an unconditioned space (a closet) -- but not in the garage or an out building, in order to protect them from heat/cold. My understanding is that acids (sulphuric and the like) will hold up for years and years. Thats forever in my book. FAS-DPD components (like the R-0871 titrant that comes in a suspiciously darkened container), however, are pretty vulnerable.
Someone on this board buys a quarter pound (or maybe a full pound?) of DPD R-0870 powder, wraps it in plastic and stores it in her refrigerator. (It just sits back there next to auntie's Prune Salsa, a gelatinous cube of preserved fruit, circa 1965.) I think I'm going to start purchasing DPD powder this wayjust as soon as I use up all the pesky 10 mL vials I have scattered about the house.
And more calcium indicator. You can never have enough calcium indicator. I have the quart size. That's good, but Im going for the gallon next time. It will really impress my neighbors, who have to live with puny 3 /4 oz titrators.
16'x29' free-form 14K gal IG gunite pool; SWCG & sodium hypochlorite 8.25%; Hayward SwimClear C4025 cartridge filter; Hayward SP3202VSP TriStar Variable Speed Pool Pump; custom test kit based on Taylor K-2006C; city; PF:8.6
Reply With Quote
Watermom
View Profile
View Forum Posts
SuperMod EmeritusQuark Inspector
- Join Date
- Dec 1969
- Location
- Charleston, WV
- Posts
- 9,345
Re: Shelf Life of test kit reagents
I'm another one who is still using stuff from years ago and it seems fine. I actually use my OTO kit for a lot of my day-to-day testing so some of mine last a long time before I need to replenish. Uncle Al keeps me supplied with cya reagent, etc. when I do need refills since he buys things in bulk. He doesn't have a bunch of boys who eat non-stop at his house like I do. No room in my frig for pool testing chemicals!
Get the testkits you need Best Guess Chlorine Chart * PoolForum Amazon store * Edit your signature Subscribe to the Forum BBB Method of Pool Care Fixing Cloudy Pool Water Using muriatic acid to lower your pH SS Recipe PoolSolutions Guides Custom Google Search for PoolSolutions and 30,000+ PoolForum posts Reply With Quote
waterbear
View Profile
View Forum Posts
Lifetime MemberSniggle Mechanic
- Join Date
- Nov 2004
- Location
- St. Augustine, Fl
- Age
- 70
- Posts
- 3,743
Re: Shelf Life of test kit reagents
I vacuum seal mine with my FoodSaver! Air (oxygen) and moisture are the enemies of this reagent.Originally Posted by polyvue
Someone on this board buys a quarter pound (or maybe a full pound?) of DPD R-0870 powder, wraps it in plastic and stores it in her refrigerator.
I just opened up a new one (I put it in smaller containers before I seal it) from three years ago and it's perfect! I don't keep it in the fridge but is does stay in the cabinet under the sink in the guest bathroom (which is close and convenient to the pool so it's my testing station.)Retired pool store and commercial pool maintenance guy.
Reply With Quote
docsobeck
View Profile
View Forum Posts
PF SupporterThread Analyst
- Join Date
- Dec 1969
- Location
- .
- Posts
- 55
Re: Shelf Life of test kit reagents
When you're ready to get new stuff, by all means buy direct from the manufacturer. i've found that to be considerably less expensive. i was able to buy much larger amounts for the same or less than the tiny bottles that come in the pool stores.
Reply With Quote
+ Reply to Thread
Quick NavigationDPD-FAS based testingTop
- Site Areas
- Settings
- Private Messages
- Subscriptions
- Who's Online
- Search Forums
- Forums Home
- Forums
- Ben's Corner
- Notes and News from the PoolDoc
- -- Subscriber Posts --
- Pool Chemistry for Intex-type Pools
- Testing and Adjusting Pool Water Chemistry
- Using Chlorine and Chlorinating Chemicals
- Dealing with Alkalinity and Calcium
- DPD-FAS based testing
- Chlorine Alternatives: UV, Ozone, Baquacil (PHMB), etc
- Pool Construction, Equipment, Operations, Seasonal Care (P)
- In-Ground Pool Construction and Repair
- Pool Cleaning: Manual or Automatic
- Pool Electronics
- Pools, Pets and Creepy Critters
- Odds-n-Ends (P)
- Photo Gallery
- Clearance
- --cleanup--
- The China Shop
- General Interest
- Practice Forum
- PoolSolution Archive
- The Hall of Shame
«first results, please help|Discrepency btw store's H20 test and PS233»
Similar Threads
-
Bleach shelf life guidelines
By steveinaz in forum Using Chlorine and Chlorinating Chemicals
Replies: 7
Last Post: 04-30-2012, 11:09 AM
-
polyquat shelf life
By prh129 in forum Pool Chemicals & Pool Water Problems
Replies: 9
Last Post: 05-29-2007, 12:44 PM
-
Reagent shelf life?
By AndieP in forum Testing and Adjusting Pool Water Chemistry
Replies: 2
Last Post: 07-03-2006, 03:04 PM
-
Shelf Life of CYA
By psteward in forum Pool Chemicals & Pool Water Problems
Replies: 1
Last Post: 06-08-2006, 09:05 PM
-
Bleach Shelf Life
By zelmo in forum Using Chlorine and Chlorinating Chemicals
Replies: 5
Last Post: 04-08-2006, 07:31 PM
Bookmarks
Bookmarks
- Digg
- del.icio.us
- StumbleUpon
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
- BB code is On
- Smilies are On
- [IMG] code is On
- HTML code is Off
Forum Rules
- PoolSolutions.com / PoolForum.com
- Archive
- Terms of Service
- Top
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:23 AM.
Powered by vBulletin™ Version 4.1.2
Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.
(C) Ben Powell 2004 - 2014 - All rights reserved