logo
    • News
    • Classifieds
    • Free Subscription
    • Book Store
    • Submit
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Submit an Educational Announcement
      • Submit a letter to The Editor
    • Past Issues
    • Regional Trade Shows
    • Testimonials
    • Contact
    • Library
      • Automation
      • Chlorine Generators
      • Drowning Prevention
      • Pumps and Hydraulics
    • News
    • Classifieds
    • Free Subscription
    • Book Store
    • Submit
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Submit an Educational Announcement
      • Submit a letter to The Editor
    • Past Issues
    • Regional Trade Shows
    • Testimonials
    • Contact
    • Library
      • Automation
      • Chlorine Generators
      • Drowning Prevention
      • Pumps and Hydraulics
Storage, temp, time affect reagent shelf life
News
April 14, 2023
Storage, temp, time affect reagent shelf life

Whether they are liquids, powders, crystals, tablets, or test-strip pads, all reagents have a shelf life. As a rule of thumb, powders and crystals are very stable if they are kept dry. Acids also tend to have long life spans. When it comes to a reagent’s shelf life, its date of manufacture is not the controlling factor. In fact, storage conditions are more important. Like all perishables, reagents are sensitive to environmental influences.

The experts at Taylor Water Technologies recommend:

• Storing reagents at a consistent temperature in the range of 36°F-85°F; extreme temperature fluctuation, say from a refrigerator to a hot car trunk, causes reagents to deteriorate.

• Keeping reagents out of prolonged direct sunlight. (Note: Brown plastic bottles help protect very light-sensitive reagents.)

• Segregating reagents from containers of treatment chemicals.

• Replacing caps immediately and tightening them carefully so exposure to air and humidity is limited.

• Avoiding switching bottle caps, placing bottle caps on soiled surfaces, repouring reagents into contaminated containers, or touching test strip pads.

Taylor formulates its reagents to remain effective for at least one year, with only very few exceptions (molybdenum indicator in liquid form is one; after it is four months old, it should be tested against a standard periodically). As a general precaution, replace all reagents more than one year old or at the beginning of a new testing season.

For all of these reasons, Taylor advises users to consider carefully the container size when purchasing reagents. Larger bottles may appear to be the better value, but if you do not use them in a year’s time you may end up discarding reagent or risk exceeding the reagent’s useful life. Taylor’s dropper tips dispense 25 drops per milliliter. That means many tests requiring 5 drops of reagent per test will get 110 tests out of a .75 oz. bottle, or 300 tests out of a 2 oz. bottle. While homeowners might consider purchasing .75 oz. reagent bottles, service professionals should probably be using 2 oz. bottles. Repouring from larger bottles (pints, quarts, or gallons) should be reserved for service companies with multiple technicians and retail stores doing high-volume testing. When repouring, it is best practice to replace the reagent’s dropper tip after approximately 8 refills.

LATEST NEWS
Sodium bromide warning label change
News
Sodium bromide warning label change
EPA mandates NaBr product packaging state ‘Not for use in outdoor pools’
April 30, 2025
By Marcelle Dibrell The consequences of a 2021 EPA decision are now being felt by pool professionals who have long relied on sodium bromide for pool a...
this is a test
News
Service pros prepare safe summer pools
April 30, 2025
A pool and spa service technician’s job goes far beyond maintaining water clarity and balancing chemicals. Ensuring the safety of swimmers is a critic...
this is a test
News
Man drives car into swimming pool
April 30, 2025
A man died after driving his car into a backyard swimming pool. The fatal incident occurred in Brea, California, on April 18, when the man drove his c...
this is a test
News
Chlorine gas release at ‘The Club ’
April 30, 2025
Thirteen children were treated for chemical inhalation following a chlorine gas release at a California swimming pool club. The children were experien...
this is a test
News
Diving for eggs, toys and prizes
April 30, 2025
This year, public pools across the country made a splashy twist on a spring tradition by inviting families to dive in for underwater Easter egg hunts....
this is a test
News
Calling all Service Pros— Let’s check those gates
April 30, 2025
Safe Gates Help Save Lives – Check Your Pool Gate Month By D& D Technologies Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children ages 1-4 ye...
this is a test
Read Our Newsletter
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Free Subscription
View Current Print Ads
Educational Announcements
Aquatic Training Institute

Educational Leverage

Foundation For Pool Industry Education

Locey Pool

Pool Chemistry Training Institute

Pool & Hot Tub Alliance

Portofino University

Underwater Pool Masters
Trade Show Dates
  • The International Pool Spa Patio Expo
    Nov. 12-14, Dallas, Texas
  • The Pool and Spa Show
    Jan. 28-30, Atlantic City, New Jersey
  • 35th Annual National Plasterers Conference
    Feb. 26-28, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
  • The Southwest Pool and Spa Show
    Feb. 4-8, Houston, Texas
  • The Western Pool and Spa Show
    Feb. 6-8, Long Beach, California
Books to Order
About Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy
We use cookies to ensure that our website gives you the best experience possible. By continuing to use this website, you agree to this use of cookies.OK