Converting rapid fix to alkaline fix

[Dave Krueger]

Based on what I've read about alkaline fixers, I'm thinking about making the switch to TF-4. Unfortunately, I have quite a bit of Kodak and Ilford rapid fix as well as some Ilford Hypam that I would rather not throw away. So, is there anything I can add to these ammonium thiosulfate products that would essentially raise the PH enough to get the benefits of alkaline fixers?

Also, I presently fix prints in these fixers as a dual bath diluted 1:4 as per the archival instructions that come with the Ilford paper that I use. Is that a practice I can dispense with when using an alkaline fix?

 

[Lowell Huff]

alkaline fix

I have never found, other than anicdotal evidence, that alkaline fixers are superior to acid fixes. In fact, acid fixes provide at least one advantage in that they negate the use of stop bath, unless you insist using one. They are not faster, wash out faster, or have greater capacity; they are more expensive by a large margin.

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

Based on what I've read about alkaline fixers, I'm thinking about making the switch to TF-4. Unfortunately, I have quite a bit of Kodak and Ilford rapid fix as well as some Ilford Hypam that I would rather not throw away. So, is there anything I can add to these ammonium thiosulfate products that would essentially raise the PH enough to get the benefits of alkaline fixers?

Also, I presently fix prints in these fixers as a dual bath diluted 1:4 as per the archival instructions that come with the Ilford paper that I use. Is that a practice I can dispense with when using an alkaline fix?

According to the Ilford Hypam MSDS, Hypam Concentrate contains:
1. Ammonium Thiosulfate
2. Boric Acid
3. Water

The pH of the concentrate is given by Ilford as 5.1 (thus acidic)

Personally, I would be inclined to use it as-is (properly diluted, of course).

If you wish to increase the pH (i.e.make it alkaline), just mix in Borax until the pH reaches the desired level. You will need a pH meter or pH indicator paper to accomplish this.

Recall: Acid pH is less than 6.5
Neutral pH is 6.5 to 7.5
Basic pH is greater than 7.5

 

[glbeas]

If you want to be quick and nasty and are not worried by the inexacteness of it just sprinkle sodium carbonate into the fix while stirring until the foaming no longer happens when a pinch goes in. That should be just a little alkaline and have plenty of sodium borate in it as a buffer. I've done it and noticed no problems for my pyrocat negs.

 

[Dave Krueger]

According to the Ilford Hypam MSDS, Hypam Concentrate contains:
1. Ammonium Thiosulfate
2. Boric Acid
3. Water

The pH of the concentrate is given by Ilford as 5.1 (thus acidic)

Personally, I would be inclined to use it as-is (properly diluted, of course).

If you wish to increase the pH (i.e.make it alkaline), just mix in Borax until the pH reaches the desired level. You will need a pH meter or pH indicator paper to accomplish this.

Recall: Acid pH is less than 6.5
Neutral pH is 6.5 to 7.5
Basic pH is greater than 7.5

Hmmm... I need to find out of they have a PH meter at work. The idea behind raising the PH is simply to make the fixer wash out of the paper more readily, without having to use a wash aid. I'm pretty lazy, so eliminating wash aid and shortening wash times is attractive to me.

Also, of course, I've heard that alkaline fixes are better for staining developers, although Sandy King says that Pyrocat (the only staining developer I use) works ok with standard rapid fix without hardener.

 

[Dave Krueger]

If you want to be quick and nasty and are not worried by the inexacteness of it just sprinkle sodium carbonate into the fix while stirring until the foaming no longer happens when a pinch goes in. That should be just a little alkaline and have plenty of sodium borate in it as a buffer. I've done it and noticed no problems for my pyrocat negs.

Hmmm... I'm all for quck and dirty as long as I know the fixer is still doing its job.

 

[psvensson]

I've alkalised acid fix too. I found it hard to avoid getting an ammonia smell coming off it, but it wasn't too bad. More seriously, the speed of the fix may be compromised if you add a sodium salt to it, but the amount we are talking about might not be material.