Are bubbles a good thing with Wat-Air film washer?

Bill Burk · Jul 29, 2017

Just got a Wat-Air film washer and was planning on plugging the air holes because I never thought bubbles were a good thing. Water coming up from bottom seems an OK idea (Fred Picker "proved" to me that although fixer may literally be heavier than water, it diffuses).

I was planning on running it with relatively lower flow than it was designed for...

But I thought I'd ask. Is air a good thing in wash water?

John Koehrer · Jul 29, 2017

Yup,
That's how the Wat-Air was made. I guess the turbulence made it more efficient,
By the same token, I don't know how true their advertising was.

Kawaiithulhu · Jul 29, 2017

You want anything that is not this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laminar_flow

Photo Engineer · Jul 29, 2017

You are OK as long as the bubbles do not accumulate on the surface of the film. If so, then just bump the film a few times and you will see the bubbles become dislodged. Do this as many times as needed during the wash.

PE

Bill Burk · Jul 29, 2017

Thanks Kawaiithulhu,
Still shooting the old Graphic?

Bill Burk · Jul 29, 2017

John Koehrer said:
Yup,
That's how the Wat-Air was made. I guess the turbulence made it more efficient,
By the same token, I don't know how true their advertising was.

The two inlets at the bottom look like they setup turbulence- with or without the air

David Brown · Jul 29, 2017

I used one for decades with no problem. they're made that way.

mshchem · Jul 29, 2017

Bill Burk said:
The two inlets at the bottom look like they setup turbulence- with or without the air

Brilliant marketing! Jobo hose has adjustable air inlet holes as well. I just make sure everything is at 68F start to finish, fill and dump. I'm nutty enough that I still use Kodak HCA. I like to make things complicated

darkroommike · Jul 29, 2017

If you run the Wat-Air at low volume you don't get bubbles and your wash will be just as good with a lot less water.

Bill Burk · Jul 29, 2017

darkroommike said:
If you run the Wat-Air at low volume you don't get bubbles and your wash will be just as good with a lot less water.

I'm seeing water coming out the air holes at the flow I had in mind so will have to plug them somehow

darkroommike · Jul 29, 2017

Bill Burk said:
I'm seeing water coming out the air holes at the flow I had in mind so will have to plug them somehow

I don't know that I'd mind the water in the sink but if you plug the holes use good tape of something you can undo later.

Bill Burk · Jul 29, 2017

The sink can handle it, the washer overflows anyway, so it sits down in the wet sink instead of on the "butcher block" where I tap the tanks. I might use nylon screws to hold down a couple of acrylic flaps.

Rick A · Jul 30, 2017

I sold off all my Wat-Air washers several years ago, because they waste water. They are designed to use the air bubbles as added turbulence for clearing the film. I use the Ilford method for washing film these days.

Are bubbles a good thing with Wat-Air film washer?

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