Carboy with floating lid

Tony-S · Sep 24, 2023

So, I see that Freestyle has a Premier carboy that takes 5 gallons (e.g., X-TOL, XT3) and a companion floating lid to protect the developer from oxidation:

https://www.freestylephoto.com/1618258-Premier-Floating-Lid-for-5-Gallon-tank

Anyone here using this and, if so, how's it working for you? My wine bladder method is fine for about a year, but eventually the spigot starts to leak.

ic-racer · Sep 24, 2023

I got two of the 2-gallon tanks with floating lids around 2002 and still keep my chemistry in the. I use one for fixer (I pour 5-liter jugs of fixer into it) and the other for 28% acetic acid.

The valves on both of them still work fine and neither leaks.

Don_ih · Sep 24, 2023

The tanks use standard fitted spouts so, if one leaks, it can be replaced pretty cheaply.

mshchem · Sep 24, 2023

One thing. I use a 2 gallon version of these containers for Kodak Hypo Clearing Agent. The stock solution is alkaline and slippery enough that it leaks, extremely slowly, resulting in crystals flowering on the valve. The working solution doesn't seep through. I've seen a similar occurrence with a fancier and more expensive valve/container.

I really like these containers, the floating lids work great. Good price too.

MCB18 · Sep 24, 2023

Wow, I would love this! Unfortunately spending $150 on two of these (one for fixer, one for dev) is not something I plan to do at the moment.

ic-racer · Sep 24, 2023

Unfortunately spending $150 on two of these (one for fixer, one for dev) is not something I plan to do at the moment.

If you look around there are more cost effective alternatives. For example I also got some from McMaster Carr. Here is a 2.5 Gal with spigot for $15:

Tony-S · Sep 24, 2023

ic-racer said:
If you look around there are more cost effective alternatives. For example I also got some from McMaster Carr. Here is a 2.5 Gal with spigot for $15:

But that doesn't have a floating lid to minimize oxidation, right?

MCB18 · Sep 24, 2023

Tony-S said:
But that doesn't have a floating lid to minimize oxidation, right?

No, it doesn’t.

mshchem · Sep 25, 2023

You definitely want the floating lid if you are storing photo chemicals. For developer I have PET and glass bottles of various sizes.

I inherited one of these Premier storage tanks with a floating lid from a camera store that used for big batches of HC-110, worked fine.

Vaughn · Sep 25, 2023

I have used a 5 gallon w/ floating lid at the university...but realized that we went through the chemistry fast enough not to need a floating lid. Filled-to-the-top smaller containers (gallon, 2-liter and/or one liter) is another way of minimizing oxidation -- especially in smaller working spaces with limited counter/sink space.

ic-racer · Sep 25, 2023

Tony-S said:
But that doesn't have a floating lid to minimize oxidation, right?

The top is sealed with a screw cap, unlike the big round ones in the OP and that I have been using that have a non-sealing top lid lid.
I guess the reason I use the floating lid is to minimize evaporation, not oxidation.

I did just get this from McMaster Carr, just came last week, but have not filled it yet. I'm planning on filing it with stock solution hypo clearing agent.

faberryman · Sep 25, 2023

I don't have room for large containers and would not use them if I did. I mix up processing solutions from concentrates for each session. It is part of the routine and just takes a few minutes.

ic-racer · Sep 25, 2023

faberryman said:
I don't have room for large containers and would not use them if I did. I mix up processing solutions from concentrates for each session. It is part of the routine and just takes a few minutes.

Actually I do the same, the containers hold the concentrated solutions.

faberryman · Sep 25, 2023

ic-racer said:
Actually I do the same, the containers hold the concentrated solutions.

Five gallons of concentrated solutions? The largest ones I have are 5L in their original containers.

mshchem · Sep 25, 2023

ic-racer said:
The top is sealed with a screw cap, unlike the big round ones in the OP and that I have been using that have a non-sealing top lid lid.
I guess the reason I use the floating lid is to minimize evaporation, not oxidation.

I did just get this from McMaster Carr, just came last week, but have not filled it yet. I'm planning on filing it with stock solution hypo clearing agent.

View attachment 349754

That's a lot of 28% acetic acid. What do you do with all that?

xtol121 · Sep 25, 2023

I use 5 of the 2 Gallon Floating Lid Tanks in my darkroom. XTOL, Dektol, C-41 Developer, RA-4 Developer, and RA-4 Bleach. I tend to go through each of those every month, but if I don’t finish them in that timeframe I just mix new chemistry and add it on top of the leftover. My C-41 developer usually starts to turn a little yellow/brown after 2 weeks. By that point I’m usually down to 2 liters or less so I just mix up another 5L batch and add it to the top and keep working. It’s been over a year working this way and it’s by far the easiest and most efficient my darkroom has ever ran.

ic-racer · Sep 25, 2023

faberryman said:
Five gallons of concentrated solutions? The largest ones I have are 5L in their original containers.

My big containers are the 5liter ones.

Philippe-Georges · Sep 26, 2023

A way to protect developer from oxidising by oxygen in the bottle (container) is to spray some DistOff on it just before closing the bottle.
The propellant in a DustOff can is Butane (or Propane, I don't recall exactly) which is a little heavier than oxygen, and when it should mix then the 'gas' above the developer will be poor of oxygen.

Carboy with floating lid

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