Emptying large trays.

Marco B · May 1, 2025

I was wondering how many of you use a similar electric siphon pump as this one I recently acquired?

While emptying small trays with a maximum of maybe 2 litres is no problem, large trays for 40x50cm prints with 5 litres of working solution or more become unwieldy to empty.

For years I made do with the nuisance, but now I finally bought such a small electric siphon pump I've absolutely no idea why I didn't look for such a solution before.

It is such a relieve to be able to quickly and cleanly empty large trays without risk of spilling or breaking your back...

dpurdy · May 1, 2025

I am lucky enough to have my trays in a sink so I just lift one corner. However if you look at tools for the home brew industry they have something called an auto siphon that I use to siphon beer into bottles. They are cheap and all you have to do is give the wet end a couple of pumps and away it goes.

Carnie Bob · May 1, 2025

Marco B said:
I was wondering how many of you use a similar electric siphon pump as this one I recently acquired?

While emptying small trays with a maximum of maybe 2 litres is no problem, large trays for 40x50cm prints with 5 litres of working solution or more become unwieldy to empty.

For years I made do with the nuisance, but now I finally bought such a small electric siphon pump I've absolutely no idea why I didn't look for such a solution before.

It is such a relieve to be able to quickly and cleanly empty large trays without risk of spilling or breaking your back...

I have been agonizing over emptying big trays and the siphon is a good idea, where did you get yours. I have to get one.

Marco B · May 1, 2025

Carnie Bob said:
I have been agonizing over emptying big trays and the siphon is a good idea, where did you get yours. I have to get one.

If you search on Google for "electric siphon pump" or "electric transfer pump", you should find plenty of options for online shops. Additionally, any good car accessory shop is likely to have them, as they are used to transfer gasoline etc. as well (but do fine with water). Mine is battery powered by 2 AA cells, and pumping speed is more than acceptable. Takes just 50 seconds to transfer 5 litres. The last half litre or so that can no longer be pumped, is easily ditched manually from the tray back into the storage container.

koraks · May 1, 2025

Neat trick! Thanks for sharing; I had never thought of that. I always try to minimize the volumes of liquids I work with, and I admit to mostly only printing small, up to 24x30cm most of the time. On the rare occasions I go up to 50x60cm, I find that I can get away with 1-1.5l of chemistry - but pouring that out of one of those large, floppy trays is indeed kind of tricky.

dpurdy said:
I am lucky enough to have my trays in a sink so I just lift one corner.

Yeah, I mostly do that, too, as my trays generally sit right next to the sink, so I can just shove them closer and then tip them gently. However, that's nice for dumping water - if you want to pour back liquids (dev, fix, toner) into bottles, you still need to figure something out. In my case, this often boils down to pouring the stuff into a pitcher and then using that to pour back into a bottle. The siphon approach is a single-step, convenient alternative.

tezzasmall · May 1, 2025

Thanks for the prompt Marco. Until now I have been using a just about working syphon system. I've just checked eBay and have upgraded what I've got.

I'll also be checking out the 'D' battery sized syphons for sale, as the one I bought previously, I didn't check the size and it turned out to be enormous and more suitable to emptying oil drums!

Terry S

Neal · May 1, 2025

I don't know how helpful this is but I use a single tray system when printing that large using only about 2 liters for each bath. It is then light enough to pour back into the respective bucket.

jk0592 · May 1, 2025

I use a small Eheim aquarium pump for emptying trays larger than 8x10.

mshchem · May 1, 2025

Nice tool! Would come in handy for emptying water baths as well. I think maybe a place like Harbor Freight sells something similar, no electricity, for transferring gasoline etc. Even with a huge sink this would be handy.

Kilgallb · May 5, 2025

Good to empty your Jobo.

Andrew O'Neill · May 6, 2025

I just use a pitcher, and scoop out, until it's comfortable to tip the tray..

Rick A · May 6, 2025

Neal said:
I don't know how helpful this is but I use a single tray system when printing that large using only about 2 liters for each bath. It is then light enough to pour back into the respective bucket.

I do the same.

Robert Ley · May 6, 2025

I have a Jobo siphon that I used for my Jobo processor. When I sold my Jobo, I kept the siphon and it works well with my wash tray. Before the Jobo siphon I just used a large plastic hose that I sucked on to start the siphon action.
Don't think that I would try that technique with a tray of chemicals though

Pieter12 · May 6, 2025

Neal said:
I don't know how helpful this is but I use a single tray system when printing that large using only about 2 liters for each bath. It is then light enough to pour back into the respective bucket.

What size tray?

Rick A · May 6, 2025

Pieter12 said:
What size tray?

I don't know about Neal, but I have a 16x20 inch Cesco enameled steel tray and a 24x24 inch Stainless Steel tray. I find they are both easier to deal with than my plastic Cesco Lite 11x14 trays.

Pieter12 · May 6, 2025

Rick A said:
I don't know about Neal, but I have a 16x20 inch Cesco enameled steel tray and a 24x24 inch Stainless Steel tray. I find they are both easier to deal with than my plastic Cesco Lite 11x14 trays.

I find anything larger than my Paterson 12x16 trays to be too awkward to handle when full without spilling. A siphon is the way to go of the 16x20.

ags2mikon · May 6, 2025

I use something like that I bought here in the USA at Harbor Freight Tools. It is used as a kerosene pump for kerosene heaters and it says that it can also pump engine coolant too. It takes 2 D cell batteries. You do loose a little chemical but not much. Much less messy than trying to pour 16x20 trays back into the bottles.

Rick A · May 6, 2025

Pieter12 said:
I find anything larger than my Paterson 12x16 trays to be too awkward to handle when full without spilling. A siphon is the way to go of the 16x20.

I don't fill my trays, I put a sheet of paper in the tray and dump two liters of developer, rock the tray, then pour it back into the pitcher, then follow with stop and fix the same way. It doesn't weigh all that much.

Nige · May 6, 2025

for a no-name plastic 20x24 tray (it was 1/3 price of a Paterson) I use buckets as temporary containers, but it is unwieldy as the tray is not very stiff and wants to bend depending on how you lift it. Have thought of making a tipper frame but don't print that large much so haven't gotten around to it.

eli griggs · May 6, 2025

Small kerosene syphon pump as shown previously.seems fine, once deoilled with "Dawn" power dish soap alcohol and relubbed with minute amount of pure silicon spray.

Laying the pump in front of a small space heater with blower a few minutes should come with rust prone bits, but thin brass metal replacement contacts can be put in inside where steel parts once occupied battery contacts.

Hobby store brass , K&S is ideal, with hot glue, IMO.

eli griggs · May 6, 2025

Rick A said:
I don't fill my trays, I put a sheet of paper in the tray and dump two liters of developer, rock the tray, then pour it back into the pitcher, then follow with stop and fix the same way. It doesn't weigh all that much.

Have you considered stacking trays in a home made rack, developer.in your darkroom sink, or beside it

Rick A · May 7, 2025

eli griggs said:
Have you considered stacking trays in a home made rack, developer.in your darkroom sink, or beside it

No need, I don't find my method inconvenient. I'm a "KISS" kinda guy. Besides, I believe it reduces the risk of damaging a wet print by not having to handle it until I put it in the wash.

Neal · May 7, 2025

Rick A said:
I don't know about Neal, but I have a 16x20 inch Cesco enameled steel tray and a 24x24 inch Stainless Steel tray. I find they are both easier to deal with than my plastic Cesco Lite 11x14 trays.

Paterson trays. The largest handles 20x24 paper.

eli griggs · May 7, 2025

Rick A said:
No need, I don't find my method inconvenient. I'm a "KISS" kinda guy. Besides, I believe it reduces the risk of damaging a wet print by not having to handle it until I put it in the wash.

We all find a way to get our photos done and I'm glad to hear your good to go, it's a beautiful space.

Cheers,
Eli

Nige · May 8, 2025

Rick A said:
reduces the risk of damaging a wet print by not having to handle it until I put it in the wash.

My thoughts too (I also wash in the same tray)

Emptying large trays.

Marco B

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Emptying large trays.

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