Chemical storage solution: Tetra Pak cartons?

FujiLove · Nov 9, 2015

I've been looking for a cheap vessel to store RA4 developer, blix and other working strength chemicals which can be squeezed to remove oxygen. This morning I was throwing away a carton of soya milk and thought, hmmm, maybe this will do the trick. They are aseptic Tetra Paks (http://www.tetrapak.com/packaging/tetra-brik-aseptic) which seem to have plastic coated foil inside and tight sealing plastic screw caps. Has anyone tried using these for photo chemical storage? Obviously, when thoroughly cleaned out and marked, "Do not drink!!!"

It wouldn't be long term storage - maybe a month or two.

Any issues with corrosion or oxygen migration?

Anon Ymous · Nov 9, 2015

I don't think their screw caps are better than the ones used for carbonated drinks, which I've successfully used for storing developers and fixers for more than a month or two. You can find plastic fizzy drinks' bottles in various convenient volumes, such as 330ml, 500ml, 1 and 1,5l. These too can be squeezed, but they're also clear and you can quickly assess their oxidation state.

Neal · Nov 9, 2015

Dear FujiLove,

I have found that pretty much any decent bottle will give me two months RA-4 storage when refrigerated.

Good luck,

Neal Wydra

AgX · Nov 9, 2015

Cardbord packs with aluminium and PE foil inner lining are good in context of diffusion barrier. Good in the context of braking.
Bad in the context of cleanability and visibility.
Very bad in that you store harmful chemicals in containers used for food.

Alan W · Nov 9, 2015

I don't know if this helps but here you go.I buy 5 litres of ilford rapid fixer and as soon as I open the ilford container I transfer the contents into 1/2 litre plastic coke bottles.I have used fixer from the 1/2 litre bottles up to a year later and everything is still in fine working condition.Everything is stored in my darkroom at room temp-around 68 deg.

Richard S. (rich815) · Nov 9, 2015

Storing chemicals in beverage containers just seems like not such a great idea.

Gerald C Koch · Nov 9, 2015

duplicate post

Gerald C Koch · Nov 9, 2015

SPI 1 PET bottles are almost as good glass ones in protecting developers from oxidation. Of the commonly used plastics for bottles SPI 3 PVC (polyvinylchloride) would be a second choice. Avoid SPI numbers 2, 4, and 5. The gotcha in all this is that what is good for developers is poor for fixers and vice versa. Composites SPI 7 may or may not be good. The SPI numbers are in the little recycle triangle on each bottle or container.

Anon Ymous · Nov 9, 2015

Gerald C Koch said:
... The gotcha in all this is that what is good for developers is poor for fixers and vice versa...

Interesting, care to elaborate?

Sirius Glass · Nov 9, 2015

Developers are more susceptible to damage from Oxygen than stop bath and hypo [fixer] so a container that lets is air is not good for developer but ok for other chemicals.

Gerald C Koch · Nov 9, 2015

Anon Ymous said:
Interesting, care to elaborate?

Developers are alkaline but stop baths and fixers are acidic. SPI 1 and 3 may be degraded by long term storage of acidic solutions.

Anon Ymous · Nov 9, 2015

Gerald C Koch said:
Developers are alkaline but stop baths and fixers are acidic. SPI 1 and 3 may be degraded by long term storage of acidic solutions.

Ah, so it's bad for the container. Thanks for the clarification.

gone · Nov 9, 2015

Don't worry about storing photo chemicals in ex food containers, worry about storing food in ex photo chemical containers :[

I know, I know, never do this or that, BUT if you clearly label things in BIG red letters, as well as put a piece of tape over the lid/top that clearly says POISON, it will be fine. At my place, fixer will last a year even w/ an air space and no bottle squeezing. I pour the used fixer back in the storage bottle too (Kodak Rapid Fixer), but all I shoot and develop myself is B&W. Developers seem to be more susceptible to light and air.

MattKing · Nov 9, 2015

With fixer and stop bath, I'm not sure that the type of container really matters. All you need to be sure of is that the container doesn't leak or fall apart, and that the water in the fixer or stop bath doesn't evaporate (i.e. an open container would not be good).

I use the two quart (almost two litre) clear plastic containers that Clamato Juice is sold in. Without labels, they don't in any way resemble something you would expect to find food or beverages in.

FujiLove · Nov 9, 2015

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated, especially the details of the PET bottles. I have a load of fizzy water bottles which I think would do the trick and are definitely more robust than the cartons.

BTW, I had to go and Google 'Clamato Juice'...Tomato juice flavoured with clams? That label alone should be enough to stop anyone from drinking it!

MattKing · Nov 9, 2015

FujiLove said:
Thanks for the info. Much appreciated, especially the details of the PET bottles. I have a load of fizzy water bottles which I think would do the trick and are definitely more robust than the cartons.

BTW, I had to go and Google 'Clamato Juice'...Tomato juice flavoured with clams? That label alone should be enough to stop anyone from drinking it!

If you have ever enjoyed a "Caesar", you wouldn't say that.

Actually a Canadian creation.

AgX · Nov 9, 2015

FujiLove said:
Thanks for the info. Much appreciated, especially the details of the PET bottles. I have a load of fizzy water bottles which I think would do the trick and are definitely more robust than the cartons.

Beware of pouring strong alkali into PET bottles!

Gerald C Koch · Nov 9, 2015

MattKing said:
If you have ever enjoyed a "Caesar", you wouldn't say that.

Actually a Canadian creation.

I had to look this drink up. In addition the write-up said that it was virtually unknown outside of Canada. Gee I wonder why. But then I seldom enjoy a mixed drink. Some Scotch with a wee bit of water and I'm happy.

mooseontheloose · Nov 9, 2015

FujiLove said:
BTW, I had to go and Google 'Clamato Juice'...Tomato juice flavoured with clams? That label alone should be enough to stop anyone from drinking it!

I happily drank clamato juice throughout my childhood without knowing that it was flavoured with clams - it sounds strange but really to me it was like a much better flavoured tomato juice. When I found out it what it was really made from (as an adult) I had a 5-second gross-out and then kept drinking it - it's just too good. This philosophy (of not knowing what you are eating or drinking before you try it) has helped me a lot in Japan, otherwise I never would have known how good fried chicken cartilage, beef tongue, or raw chicken/horsemeat could be.

Sirius Glass · Nov 9, 2015

FujiLove said:
BTW, I had to go and Google 'Clamato Juice'...Tomato juice flavoured with clams? That label alone should be enough to stop anyone from drinking it!

Frankly I would rather have a Bombay Sapphire Gin Martini or Crown Royal straight than suck down a slimy clam any day. :munch:

Truzi · Nov 9, 2015

Do they still make Beefamato? I see it online, but haven't seen it in a store in ages.

FujiLove · Nov 9, 2015

mooseontheloose said:
I happily drank clamato juice throughout my childhood without knowing that it was flavoured with clams - it sounds strange but really to me it was like a much better flavoured tomato juice. When I found out it what it was really made from (as an adult) I had a 5-second gross-out and then kept drinking it - it's just too good. This philosophy (of not knowing what you are eating or drinking before you try it) has helped me a lot in Japan, otherwise I never would have known how good fried chicken cartilage, beef tongue, or raw chicken/horsemeat could be.

Some days, I'm more thankful than others that I'm a vegetarian

Sirius Glass · Nov 9, 2015

mooseontheloose said:
I happily drank clamato juice throughout my childhood without knowing that it was flavoured with clams - it sounds strange but really to me it was like a much better flavoured tomato juice. When I found out it what it was really made from (as an adult) I had a 5-second gross-out and then kept drinking it - it's just too good. This philosophy (of not knowing what you are eating or drinking before you try it) has helped me a lot in Japan, otherwise I never would have known how good fried chicken cartilage, beef tongue, or raw chicken/horsemeat could be.

Is there a barf bag available?

Truzi · Nov 9, 2015

I think clamato and beefamato were made for cocktails. I used to drink beefamato in high school and college - yes, when sober. I simply like it.
It's the opposite of beef soup with tomatoes in it

TonyR · Nov 11, 2015

Hi all

I'm still using wine casks to store developers for up to twelve months at least. I've used Multigrade print developer, Xtol, Beutler A and B (in separate plastic casks).

Wash the wine bladder well with detergent, fill with your developer, fit plastic tap and carefully open tap lever while holding tap up to expell all air. Fit bladder back into wine box and label with contents and date. The plastic taps can get some dried developer residue buildup - just needs cleaning with a damp paper towel.

Cheers
Tony

Chemical storage solution: Tetra Pak cartons?

FujiLove

Anon Ymous

Neal

AgX

Alan W

Richard S. (rich815)

Gerald C Koch

Gerald C Koch

Anon Ymous

Sirius Glass

Gerald C Koch

Anon Ymous

gone

MattKing

Moderator

FujiLove

MattKing

Moderator

AgX

Gerald C Koch

mooseontheloose

Sirius Glass

Truzi

FujiLove

Sirius Glass

Truzi

TonyR

Chemical storage solution: Tetra Pak cartons?

Moderator

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency