Clear fixer became orange after 1 use

[Ranieri]

I just processed 1 roll of Ektar and 1 expired gold 100 with an Ars-Imago C-41 kit (which as far as I know is the same as Bellini kit) bought a week ago and diluted just before processing.
The film came out correctly developed as far as i can tell, but the fixer, which was clear, is now red (very similar to bleach colour).
It is the first time for me using separate beach and fix so i wonder: is this normal? Did I mess something? Is it safe to use again?

Ranieri

 

[Donald Qualls]

This is probably carry-over from the bleach step. I like to insert a short water wash between steps (i.e. dev-wash-bleach-wash-fix-wash-final rinse) to reduce this in my replenished Flexicolor line.

 

[Anon Ymous]

You likely didn't wash well between bleach and fixer...

 

[Ranieri]

You likely didn't wash well between bleach and fixer...

I didn't at all. The instruction table said to wash only after fixer. Maybe I will do it next time.

This is probably carry-over from the bleach step. I like to insert a short water wash between steps (i.e. dev-wash-bleach-wash-fix-wash-final rinse) to reduce this in my replenished Flexicolor line.

That was also my guess. So is it safe to use again?
Thank you for helping me.

 

[Anon Ymous]

Is it safe to use again?

You essentially made a weak blix. I suspect that it will affect the shelf life of the fixer solution, but I don't know how significant it will be.

 

[Donald Qualls]

So is it safe to use again?

I suspect that it will affect the shelf life of the fixer solution,

Anon is correct, bleach and fixer don't really like each other. That said, I've had some C-41 fixer that had gotten colored by carryover bleach and still cleared film in under thirty seconds four months later, so in my experience, it didn't have much effect. FWIW, in some mini-labs there's no rinse between steps -- but they use a replenisher for each bath, so they're constantly replacing their fixer a little at a time.

 

[Anon Ymous]

... FWIW, in some mini-labs there's no rinse between steps -- but they use a replenisher for each bath, so they're constantly replacing their fixer a little at a time.

Exactly. Replenished systems are more robust in this regard, provided that they're regularly used and replenished.

@Ranieri What's the shelf life of the mixed fixer according to the instructions? Perhaps the manufacturer has already taken this into account.

 

[Ranieri]

What's the shelf life of the mixed fixer according to the instructions? Perhaps the manufacturer has already taken this into account.

From the data sheet:

Capacity:
12-20* films 135/36 - 120

The kit serves about 12-15 films using diluted solutions within a maximum of 5 weeks.

*If used within 7-10 days and stored correctly in dark bellows bottles, it is possible to develop up to 20 films. We recommend developing at least 2-4 films at time for greater efficiency.

Wash and stabilizer:
There is no need to wash between development and bleaching and between bleaching and fixing.
[...]

 

[Anon Ymous]

I suspect they've taken it into account. Anyway, a good wash between bleach and fixer is a good idea and certainly won't be a problem, quite the contrary.

 

[Ranieri]

I suspect they've taken it into account. Anyway, a good wash between bleach and fixer is a good idea and certainly won't be a problem, quite the contrary.

Thank you, I will do it from now on.

 

[RPC]

The official C-41 process does not require a stop bath between developer and bleach, but using one may increase the capacity of the bleach with home processing. Do not use just a wash--this can cause what is known as crossover. A stop bath, followed by a wash before bleach, works best.

 

[mshchem]

I didn't at all. The instruction table said to wash only after fixer. Maybe I will do it next time.


That was also my guess. So is it safe to use again?
Thank you for helping me.

Bleach carry over to fixer is normal. C-41 or E6. I use Fuji and Kodak chemistry, both companies use a separate Bleach and fixer. You want to minimize, but fixer will eventually look like tea. If your fixer starts to get too slow, it's time for new fixer.

 

[Philippe-Georges]

At the time we had a Blix bath...