The Bacter AE is one of the most recommended foods for your pet Caridina and Neocaridina shrimps. So, does this Glas Garten product expire?
You can find out in this guide at Aquarium Blueprints.
Where to find the expiration or expiry date for Bacter AE?
The expiration date or expiry date for the Bacter AE is located at the bottom side of the container. Based on our experience, the date is printed on a simple white sticker.
The format should read “HMD – B.before” followed by the month and date of the expiration.
For the uninformed, MHD stands for “Mindesthaltbarkeit,” which is German for the best-before date. Bacter AE is manufactured by Glas Garten, a German-based company.
Can you use Bacter AE after the expiration date?
Based on our experiences, as well as anecdotes from other shrimp keepers, you should be able to use Bacter AE years after the expiration date without issue as long as you take care of the food product so that it doesn’t get contaminated.
If you smell some fouling, or see any molding/discoloration, then we recommend disposing of this product.
How to extend the shelf life of Bacter AE
To make sure that Bacter AE doesn’t get contaminated, and thus extend its shelf life, you can take the following precautions:
1. Unless you are feeding your fish with this food, keep the container close at all times. This is because being constantly exposed to oxygen may age the product.
Not to mention that the micro powder can get easily blown out of the container.
When closing the container, make sure you are using the plastic cover that comes with it as it will prevent oxygen other potential contaminants from getting in the food.
2. Adding Bacter AE to water will activate it. Therefore, you should avoid dropping any kind of liquid into the container.
If you managed to get water inside the container, try to remove as much of the wet powder as possible.
3. When storing this pet shrimp food product, you should avoid placing it in any area that is hotter than room temperature.
4. You should also keep the Bacter AE packaging away from being constantly exposed to directly sunlight.
5. Finally, you need to avoid storing the container in a high humidity environment.
As long as you don’t overly expose the micro powder to excess heat and oxygen, as well as avoid direct contact with water, you should be able to use Bacter AE for many years beyond its advertised expiry date.