Chemical Storage...

[tonyjuliano]

I just added a post to my Blog that tackles the very exciting subject (sarcasm intended) of how to store photo related chemicals.

You can read all about it Dead Link Removed...

 

[Denverdad]

Thanks for posting this. It is a subject I was investigating recently myself since I was in need of more storage bottles. In the end (for better or worse) I decided to buy more plastic containers for my current needs.

It makes sense that you probably can't do any better than glass in terms of providing a barrier to oxygen. On the other hand, glass containers come with at least one downside too - the risk of breakage, especially for darkroom operation. So I am wondering, do you or others know just how permeable the typical plastic storage bottles really are? No doubt it depends on the type of plastic used, but for the typical plastics of containers designed specifically for photo chemical storage, how bad are they? These plastic containers seem to be very popular so maybe somone has had some specific experience they can relate. My thinking is that if the difference translates to say, a 5-1/2 month storage life for a particular developer as opposed to 6 months, then I could live with that. But if the plastic "breathes" and doesn't provide much protection at all, then it would be a very different story.

 

[pschwart]

I use glass bottles up to about 6 oz -- anything larger is plastic. Glass is unquestionably more stable, but plastic is cheap, can be had in more configurations, and doesn't break. I have never had a problem so I don't worry about it. If I used solutions that needed to be stored indefinitely I would probably choose glass for those.

Thanks for posting this. It is a subject I was investigating recently myself since I was in need of more storage bottles. In the end (for better or worse) I decided to buy more plastic containers for my current needs.

It makes sense that you probably can't do any better than glass in terms of providing a barrier to oxygen. On the other hand, glass containers come with at least one downside too - the risk of breakage, especially for darkroom operation. So I am wondering, do you or others know just how permeable the typical plastic storage bottles really are? No doubt it depends on the type of plastic used, but for the typical plastics of containers designed specifically for photo chemical storage, how bad are they? These plastic containers seem to be very popular so maybe somone has had some specific experience they can relate. My thinking is that if the difference translates to say, a 5-1/2 month storage life for a particular developer as opposed to 6 months, then I could live with that. But if the plastic "breathes" and doesn't provide much protection at all, then it would be a very different story.

 

[tonyjuliano]

Thanks for posting this. It is a subject I was investigating recently myself since I was in need of more storage bottles. In the end (for better or worse) I decided to buy more plastic containers for my current needs.

It makes sense that you probably can't do any better than glass in terms of providing a barrier to oxygen. On the other hand, glass containers come with at least one downside too - the risk of breakage, especially for darkroom operation. So I am wondering, do you or others know just how permeable the typical plastic storage bottles really are? No doubt it depends on the type of plastic used, but for the typical plastics of containers designed specifically for photo chemical storage, how bad are they? These plastic containers seem to be very popular so maybe somone has had some specific experience they can relate. My thinking is that if the difference translates to say, a 5-1/2 month storage life for a particular developer as opposed to 6 months, then I could live with that. But if the plastic "breathes" and doesn't provide much protection at all, then it would be a very different story.

I've several "bad" experiences with plastic in the past. Most of the plastic containers are made from polyethylene, which is permeable to gases depending on thickness.

"But the manufacturers all ship in plastic" is the argument I hear most, and yes they do, but if you notice the packaging they use is designed to protect the concentrated stock solutions, not the much more "fragile" working solutions you mix up for use.

Also, let's take Kodak HC-110 developer for example (a developer particularly susceptible to oxidation degradation). The bottle from Kodak is plastic, but is multiple times the thickness of the plastic bottles sold for normal storage use.

Using glass, and then keeping the solutions fully topped off and under refrigeration has enabled me to extend the shelf life of most chemicals way beyond what even the manufacturer states is permissible.

 

[John_M_King]

I have used glass for as long as I can remember. As for cost in UK if you go to one of the larger dispensaries you can buy glass bottles from 100cc up to 500 cc very cheaply. they also stock them up to 2.5 litre sizes. Or you can use dark brown or green screw top empty wine bottles (either 600 cc or 1litre) and these are free after consuming the contents of course. I have never had chemicals go off taking these steps. Even when a 100cc bottle is half empty, I top it up with glass beads so that the air is excluded. Actually my glass beads are from old, damaged and cheap costume jewellery.

I also found that with some chemicals, I am thinking of the 1st developer for colour transparencies, the life can be extended in the original plastic bottle by squeezing all the air out then storing the bottle upside down!! I have the remains of a Tetenal E6 kit about 4 months old and the developer is still clear!

 

[fotch]

Glass is class. In the darkroom, I never had an accident with glass. I have drop plastic water bottles and have the plastic split or the cap pop off. The worst plastic bottles are the according type. JMHO

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Thanks for posting this. It is a subject I was investigating recently myself since I was in need of more storage bottles. In the end (for better or worse) I decided to buy more plastic containers for my current needs.

It makes sense that you probably can't do any better than glass in terms of providing a barrier to oxygen. On the other hand, glass containers come with at least one downside too - the risk of breakage, especially for darkroom operation. So I am wondering, do you or others know just how permeable the typical plastic storage bottles really are? No doubt it depends on the type of plastic used, but for the typical plastics of containers designed specifically for photo chemical storage, how bad are they? These plastic containers seem to be very popular so maybe somone has had some specific experience they can relate. My thinking is that if the difference translates to say, a 5-1/2 month storage life for a particular developer as opposed to 6 months, then I could live with that. But if the plastic "breathes" and doesn't provide much protection at all, then it would be a very different story.

Some plastic containers are designedwith several barrier layers to stop permability,pop boyttles and fuel containers for example but I wouldn't recommend either for chemical storage;glass is perfect.high-qualityplastic bottles are good.In my darkroom breakage is more of a concern than oxidation.