Did I ruin my fixer?

Dav305z

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Mixed 1L of Kodak Rapid Fixer (without the hardener, per what I've read here) and was storing it in a 1L bottle. So far, so good. Only problem is I left the cap off accidentally after developing my last roll. For a day. Thankfully, it was in a room where pets don't go. Otherwise I'd be feeling even worse.

Is this mix still usable? I've only put two rolls and maybe three prints in it.
 

Gerald C Koch

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I really wouldn't worry. Fixer is rather robust. It would be subjected to a more adverse situation sitting in a tray for a day.
 

MattKing

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Welcome to APUG.

The fixer won't likely be harmed by leaving the cap off that relatively short time.
However, it is unwise to use exactly the same working solution for both films and prints.
It is much better to mix up a litre for film, and another litre for prints, and to track separately their use.
Film and printing papers leave different byproducts in used fixer. And if you are printing on fibre based papers, they tend to leave other stuff as well.
 

StephenT

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It should be fine. Ditto the comment about keeping separate solutions for film and paper.
 

Sirius Glass

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Developer oxidizes and goes bad. Stop bath and fixer no, so you are good to go.

Welcome to APUG
 

Harry Stevens

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I wish my paper developer lasted as long as my fixer did in a tray, also agree about seperate fixer solutions for paper and film.
 

Agulliver

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I echo the comments about using a lower concentration for prints and keeping it in a separate bottle.

You can always perform a clearing test on a snippet of exposed (fogged) film eg. film leader. Take an inch or two of film from the beginning of a 35mm roll (assuming you use 35mm), place it in a container, pour over enough fixer to cover it...agitate by inverting or swilling every now and then and the film should clear - literally it goes from grey or brown to clear. If it does so in a minute or so (maybe 2 minutes for some films and fixers) then your fixer is good.

Rule of thumb....fix time is double clearing time.
 

HiHoSilver

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'Glad you asked the questions, Dav. I've not had the issue yet, but the responses have been helpful.
 

MattKing

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With respect to the clearing test: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)
 
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