Test kit errors

[otrguy]

I have a new 29 gallon tank thats been cycling for a week. I have an API freshwater kit and a Hagen master kit. The API says Amonnia is 0 and the Hagen says 6 ppm. I ran them both twice with the same results. Both kits are about 2 years old.
Is there an expiration on these? None of them say so.
Has anyone else run into this problem?
I don't know which one to trust. I am going to do PWC just in case.
Thanks for any input.
I posted this under new members, sorry. I think this is the proper place.
Thanks.

 

[BigJim]

I'm not familiar with the Hagen kit, but I use the API kit and I trust it. I believe there's a post somewhere here on AA with information on the API kit from the manufacturer. I believe the shortest shelf life in the API kit is ~2 years and the longest is ~5 years. I don't remember which test has the shortest life though. If you have some ammonia around, you can test your kits. Make a 4ppm ammonia solution and test it with your kits. Whichever comes out at 4ppm is still good.

 

[otrguy]

Thanks, I'll try that and let you know.