GH Test

[FishEggs]

Do these tests go bad? API drop tests.
I have an old test (maybe 6years old) and when i try to test my water it wont change color. Do i have super hard water or bad test drops?

 

[Alan26]

test them with some bottled water

 

[Hulka9]

The ones I use have expiration dates on them.

 

[Coryluv]

How many drops have you used without the color change? An API GH/KH kit costs about $6 online, so buying a new one is pretty cost effective. My kit has expiration dates, too.

 

[FishEggs]

i put 50 drops in it before stopping. Just kept getting more and more orange. The KH test took 4 drops and changed color. I just see lot numbers on my test bottle.
The cost isn't an issue on a new one. i figured on buying a new one. i just wanted to make sure i have to, otherwise the money could buy fish or plants.

 

[Old Scales]

LOL. From day one the GH test kit I bought never would change also. The KH bottle tested just fine. Since I got the GH from our city water quality report I never messed with it again. I figure it's a bad bottle. I'll buy another when the KH runs out. I'm beginning to believe that dud test bottles of the API stuff is not that uncommon. OS.

 

[FishEggs]

as far as i recall it used to work.. . . . . i think. . . . . . .. . it was a long time ago.
i havent tried to change the hardness but i am wanting to do a amazon biotope with dwarf cichlids so i wanted to check where i'm starting from and if it will be an issue.

 

[Old Scales]

That's what I have in my 29g, all soft water tetras. I've always worried more about the KH than the GH because of needed pH buffering with CO2. My water is 2 dKH in winter and 4dKH in summer. For GH look online for your water report if you have one. OS.