Best stainless steel developing tanks?

Jeff Bannow · Jun 24, 2011

So, I've settled on Hewes stainless steel reels for my processing. I love the reels, but hate my tanks. They are a hodge-podge of brands, and they all leak. Some are steel lids, and those always stick.

I'm looking for a stainless steel tank with plastic lid that is easy to fill and doesn't leak. So, what's the best?

Shawn Dougherty · Jun 24, 2011

Me too!

Tim Gray · Jun 24, 2011

I just use the generic SS tanks from Freestyle or B&H. Cheap enough and they work fine with Hewes reels (all I use). The 4 reel tank even comes with the little lift rod.

chriscrawfordphoto · Jun 24, 2011

Generic ones, made by Kalt, are just fine. I see no difference in quality between these cheap tanks and expensive ones like Kinderman. Reels are another matter; cheap ones SUCK and Hewes are the only game in town.

tkamiya · Jun 24, 2011

I'm using Adorama brand ones. I *think* they actually came in Kalt box.
Dead Link Removed

Works very well and have been enjoying it for 2 years.

Jeff Bannow · Jun 24, 2011

How is the lid holding up on the Kalt?

tkamiya · Jun 24, 2011

Mine is fine after 2 years. No leaks, no damages, and I haven't lost the cap, yet.

bblhed · Jun 24, 2011

I would like to know where you can get just a lid, the tanks all appear to be the same spun stainless cans and of good quality, but the molding quality of the plastic lids is all over the place. I had a great lid that didn't leak, then it cracked, I got a new tank and lid but the new lid leaks no mater what tank I put it on.

Rick A · Jun 24, 2011

Kalt used to sell just the plastic replacement lids, I have one stashed away just in case I loose a lid or cap.

Jeff Bannow · Jun 24, 2011

Freestyle sells their Arista brand caps ($4-5), and you can also get Kindermann brand caps from B&H (for $20).

mgb74 · Jun 24, 2011

I've found the biggest problem with stainless steel tanks is that the lid's get mismatched. Tanks and lids do not seem to match well across brands. I have a couple of older Nikor tanks where the lids are original to the base and no problems. Same issue with the top cap.

I've also run into problems where the "aftermarket" plastic caps fit one brand of base and not another. Sometimes they'll only go on with difficulty, resulting in premature cracking.

chriscrawfordphoto · Jun 24, 2011

Jeff Bannow said:
How is the lid holding up on the Kalt?

Mine are fine too after a year of use. Before I bought the two Kalt 4-reel tanks I have, I used a bunch of old 1960s-era Nikor tanks that I got new in the box at a photo swap-meet when i was in college years ago. They're still good too, but the Kalts with plastic lids don't leak on my hands like the old metal lids do on the Nikors. I know the Kalt lids will wear out, I've seen them in schools wear out but like the others here said, they're $5 to replace.

Tim Gray · Jun 24, 2011

My generic lids are going fine. The oldest two are about 5 years old. The more recent one is maybe 3.

CatLABS · Jun 24, 2011

i heard (and actually then saw) that you can load the hawes reels in to Jobo tanks, center core and all. Jobo tanks never leak, i have yet to have seen a broken one.
simply put the best stainless steel tank for ss reels is a plastic one.

wotalegend · Jun 25, 2011

krifartida said:
i heard (and actually then saw) that you can load the hawes reels in to Jobo tanks, center core and all. Jobo tanks never leak, i have yet to have seen a broken one.
simply put the best stainless steel tank for ss reels is a plastic one.

I'd like to see that. I have a Jobo 1520 tank and I also have a Hewes 120 size SS reel, and there's no way in the world that the gap in the centre of the Hewes reel would fit over the centre core of the Jobo tank. I wish it would.

removedacct3 · Jun 25, 2011

wotalegend said:
... I wish it would ...

Although not cheap, I have two of Hewes SS reels for my paterson tank and they are wonderful. You can buy them at RK Photographic

Gerald C Koch · Jun 25, 2011

Before you use any of the SS tanks make an identifying mark on the tank, lid and caps. I scratch these on the under surface of the item. Tanks may leak if you should swap lids and tanks.

It is easier to remove lids if you first remove the cap. This allows air to enter as you remove the lid and prevents suction from making this difficlt.

Tanks are easier to fill if you tilt tham slightly so that air can escape as it is being filled. This prevents burping.

CatLABS · Jun 25, 2011

wotalegend said:
I'd like to see that. I have a Jobo 1520 tank and I also have a Hewes 120 size SS reel, and there's no way in the world that the gap in the centre of the Hewes reel would fit over the centre core of the Jobo tank. I wish it would.

check this out:

item number 160605512108 on zleezbay.

Jobo with hewes reels.

CatLABS · Jun 25, 2011

also, the light trap funnel in Jobo tanks can easily be sealed with an original part or simple improv, then just drop ANY reels in there that fit the tanks diameter.

wotalegend · Jun 26, 2011

krifartida said:
check this out:

item number 160605512108 on zleezbay.

Jobo with hewes reels.

Ah, the picture explains it - the reels are different to my Hewes reel. They have a much bigger hole in the centre. My reel has a hole which will barely take a pencil through it.

CatLABS · Jun 26, 2011

well in that case you might use what i said here, if i may quote myself:

"also, the light trap funnel in Jobo tanks can easily be sealed with an original part or simple improv, then just drop ANY reels in there that fit the tanks diameter."

Jeff Bannow · Jun 27, 2011

Looks like my best bet is to get some generic / Kalt brand tanks and make sure to keep the caps assigned to the tank. I think I'll get a few extra lids while I'm at it to stash away for later.

CatLABS · Jun 27, 2011

or start using plastic reels and tanks all together and never see leakage again...

Jeff Bannow · Jun 27, 2011

krifartida said:
or start using plastic reels and tanks all together and never see leakage again...

Tried plastic and it doesn't agree with me. I guess since I learned on SS, it just is seems more natural to use them.

CatLABS · Jun 27, 2011

yeah i know what you mean, i never understood how those metal reels even work.... i just never had any reason not to use the plastic gear.. but i heard some poeple really like that ss stuff.

Best stainless steel developing tanks?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency