null
Vertical Categories
Free Shipping on thousands of products
Trusted Source of Water Quality Products for 60+ years
Our Chemicals are Certified to NSF/ANSI
Toggle menu

Reagent Information

Since each reagent type is unique, narrowing down shelf life to one particular period of time for all reagents is impossible. A common rule of thumb is to replace reagents at the beginning of each swim season. However, with proper care, many reagents can provide accurate and reliable results for longer than one season.

Date of manufacture is not the controlling factor when it comes to shelf life—storage conditions are more important. Reagents are sensitive to environmental influences and will last longer under controlled conditions.

Storing Reagents

Reagents should be stored at 25°C (room temperature) and away from heat, humidity, moisture, direct sunlight, and cold conditions. The storage temperature should remain as constant as possible without large fluctuations.

Reagents should not be refrigerated unless specified otherwise in the kit instructions or packaging. They should not be stored in work vehicles, utility rooms, pool or pump houses, or other environments where conditions may be harsh. Exposure to such conditions compromises reagent quality and stability, shortening their shelf life.

Replace caps immediately after use and tighten carefully to limit exposure to air and humidity. Avoid switching caps, placing caps on soiled surfaces, pouring reagents into contaminated containers, or touching test strip pads.

Since reagents are not “made to order,” some of the published shelf life is lost during storage at the manufacturer, in transit, or at the distributor. Therefore, it is unreasonable to expect to receive reagents with the full published shelf life.

We have consulted with our reagent manufacturers to determine reasonable expectations for remaining shelf life once a reagent reaches the consumer. This allows us to publish a Reagent Shelf Life Guarantee for reagents purchased from us.

Shelf Lives

Many LaMotte pool and spa reagents have shelf lives of two years or more from the date of manufacture, although several have shorter shelf lives. LaMotte now prints expiration dates on their reagents to help identify when replacements are needed. Except for the reagents listed below—or as noted on individual item pages—we guarantee LaMotte reagents we supply to be good for at least one year when stored correctly and under proper conditions.

  • LaMotte P-6741 DPD 1B Reagent – 12 months shelf life at time of manufacture, at least 6 months guaranteed shelf life when shipped

  • LaMotte 4328 Spin Disks – at least 6 months guaranteed shelf life when shipped

  • LaMotte 7039 Total Alkalinity Indicator – 12 months shelf life at time of manufacture, at least 6 months guaranteed shelf life when shipped

  • LaMotte 7041 Calcium Hardness 2 – 6 months shelf life at time of manufacture, at least 3 months guaranteed shelf life when shipped

  • LaMotte 7042 Calcium Hardness 1 Buffer – 12 months shelf life at time of manufacture, at least 6 months guaranteed shelf life when shipped

Most Taylor Technologies reagents have a shelf life of two years from the date of manufacture. Taylor recommends replacing all reagents more than one year old or at the beginning of a new testing season. However, some Taylor reagents have significantly shorter shelf lives. Taylor now includes expiration dates on reagents to help with replacement timing. Except for the reagents listed below—or as noted on individual item pages—we guarantee Taylor reagents we supply to be good for at least one year when stored correctly and under proper conditions.

  • Taylor R-0002 DPD #2 – 15 months shelf life at time of manufacture, at least 8 months guaranteed shelf life when shipped

  • Taylor R-0718 DPD Silver Nitrate – 15 months shelf life at time of manufacture, at least 8 months guaranteed shelf life when shipped

  • Taylor R-0870 DPD Powder – 12 months shelf life at time of manufacture, at least 6 months guaranteed shelf life when shipped

  • Taylor R-0871 FAS-DPD Chlorine – 15 months shelf life at time of manufacture, at least 8 months guaranteed shelf life when shipped

  • Taylor R-0872 FAS-DPD Bromine – 15 months shelf life at time of manufacture, at least 8 months guaranteed shelf life when shipped

Palintest tablet reagents are typically manufactured with shelf lives of two years or more, depending on the reagent. We guarantee at least one year of available shelf life on Palintest reagents we sell, with most having much longer remaining life.

We order reagents in small quantities to keep our inventory as fresh as possible, while maintaining enough stock to fulfill orders completely and consistently.

If you receive a reagent that does not meet our guarantee, we will gladly discount or replace it at our discretion. Please contact us with your order number, reagent number, and any lot number and/or expiration date printed on the reagent.