Diafine precipitate ?

[numnutz]

Hi - I have just developed my third lot of film in Diafine. I mixed up a 1 US gallon batch and split it in two as my tank uses 1 litre to fill it. It was properly mixed with no problems.
On pouring out solution B on the third batch of film processed I found solution B contained a precipitate that was off white in colour and looked like small flakes. I looked at the unused part B and found it was ok with no precipitate at all.
Should I filter Part B and carry on with it or should I try to warm the solution to get it to redissolve.

Film was Foma sheet 5 x 4 100 exposed to 200 ISO and was developed OK.

Any advice would be welcome before I have more film to develop.

Thanks in advance.

nn :confused:

 

[Akki14]

I get lots of junk in my solution B but it's not a white precipitate, more like something resembling flakes or tiny dust of emulsion (!), tends to be quite dark yucky floating stuff. I've never had a problem using it even with the bits in it, though. Also I only really use 500ml of the 2litre bottle at a time so I am vaguely decanting the uppermost least crud-infested diafine.

 

[Michael W]

I've been using my batch of Diafine for most of this year. Part A looks good but part B has turned brown. Haven't seen any precipitate, however I have heard reports of it frrom other users. I think they even mention it on the box. You can filter it out with a drip coffee filter or similar but it is meant to be harmless. My stuff is still working great.

 

[dianna]

I've been seeing the same black precipitate in part B that you're describing. I've been using my current batch for about 6 months and filter part B through a coffee filter, and it's still working great.

 

[nicolai]

I'm well into year 3 of the same batch, whose B is pretty funky (and orangeish, from all the color film I've put through it). Still works like a champ.

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

Filter it and use it. If it becomes too ugly, or the pH becomes too low, dump it and replace it with one of these home-made solutions.

Chemicals can be purchased from: Dead Link Removed

1. Solution B
Sodium Sulfite, 65 grams - Sodium Metaborate, 20 grams

2. Borax 20 grams, for results "like that of D76"
Water to make, 1 liter

3. Or try Sodium Sulfite, 65 grams - Sodium Carbonate, 20 grams, Water to make, 1 liter

See: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)