WendiDell
Aquarium Advice Addict
I absolutely agree, with the exception that in many of these cases time is of the utmost importance. If someone was generally asking about a good test kit, I would always (and have always) recommend shopping around online and finding a good deal. However, when there is a mysterious situation and there is the possibility that fish are currently suffering from acute ammo / no2 poisoning, I'd happily spend an extra $20 to get to the bottom of the situation as quickly as possible and make sure I'm in the best situation to deal with it. I view it the same way as if one of my dogs seems to be in distress, I don't wait until the regular Vet opens, I climb into the car and head towards the emergency vet clinic knowing it'll cost me hundreds of more dollars than waiting until my normal vet office is open.
I completely, 100% agree with your statement, but there are always exceptions to the rules.
I agree with you about getting what you can where you can in an urgent situation.
But after someone grabs their first Master Kit at the more expensive place, it's a good time to order your next kit online for less. That way you have it, when the first one runs out and then there's no panic to get another kit in 24 hours, it's already there for you.
I know that the test kits don't have a real long shelf life. But it's like 2-4 years I think. Please no one thrash me if I'm wrong, I'm speaking from memory. My Master Kit is in my Grandsons bedroom and he's sound asleep at 11:42pm, so I can't verify my memory at this time.
Any way as long as you're testing as often as you should, shelf life wouldn't be an issue.