Distilled water for Ilfotol final rinse

[Melvin J Bramley]

I have been having issues with 'slime' when using Ilford Ilfotol as a final rinse for negatives.
Suggestions are to use distilled water for a final rinse.
Can this water be reused after washing a film or should it be discarded.If so how many times?

 

[BrianShaw]

I don’t know about anyone else but I do my chemistry/wash as one-shot. There’s not enough savings for me to reuse.

 

[Paul Howell]

After a wash I used Photo flow mixed in distilled or de ionized water before hanging to dry. I do not reuse it, just not worth the trouble.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I agree with all who voted to not reuse.

 

[bernard_L]

I have been having issues with 'slime' when using Ilford Ilfotol as a final rinse for negatives.
Suggestions are to use distilled water for a final rinse.
Can this water be reused after washing a film or should it be discarded.If so how many times?

I use photo-flo (probably not very different from Ilfotol) and distilled water (actually de-mineralized water, much easier to procure where I live).

Are you sure you do not exceed the recommended dosage?

Use once and discard. So cheap! Plus, some chemical solutions can support some life forms.

 

[koraks]

I have been having issues with 'slime' when using Ilford Ilfotol as a final rinse for negatives.

That signifies you're leaving the solution to sit for way too long between uses.
In principle you can re-use this solution a few times, but over a short period of time (as you've noticed). Let's say within a couple of days.

Distilled water can help with any calcium spots/drying marks, but it won't hedge against the slime. The water is distilled when you buy it, but it remains being aseptic the moment you pour it into a beaker. There's spores etc. all over the place.

 

[loccdor]

As I recall in some kits the stabilizer contains wetting agent. It doesn't grow anything because it's toxic for life. You could try mixing it with something that life can't grow in, or just do what most people do and mix it fresh each time. By the way, the generic wetting agent works just as well as a brand name.

 

[bernard_L]

the generic wetting agent works just as well

You mean polysorbate 20 ?

 

[loccdor]

Whatever is in the bargain brands like Arista, LegacyPro, etc