Fixer Chemicals

[Photoboy1]

Where can I get Balanced Alkali (Sodium meta borate) so I can mix my own fixer? Sigma is very expensive. I can find Alum and Hypo easy enough, but the Balanced Alkali seems hard to source, at a reasonable price.

 

[wildbill]

When you say hard to source, what do you mean? Photo formulary has everything you need. http://stores.photoformulary.com/-strse-668/SODIUM-METABORATE,-BALANCED-ALKALI,/Detail.bok

 

[Photo Engineer]

You don't say where you are.. But, if you are in the US, try the Formulary. Their ads are right here on APUG.

PE

 

[Ian Grant]

You can make it from Borax and Sodium Hydroxide.. both of which are cheap and readily available.

Ian

 

[destroya]

I bought a pound of it yesterday at my local photo store for under$7. check you local stores. nice to get it right away and not wait or pay for shipping

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Don't be restricted by the idea that photographic chemicals must be bought from only certain sources. Many like sodium sulfite and sodium carbonate have many other uses that may provide cheaper and more available suppliers. Borax, lye (sodium hydroxide) and sodium carbonate may be found in supermarkets; sodium sulfite from food service suppliers, sodium bromide from pool supply companies, potassium permanganate from water softener suppliers, etc. Do a web search for uses of a certain chemicals for ideas.

 

[Rudeofus]

Regardless of where you are: (there was a url link here which no longer exists) of how to make Sodium Metaborate from Borax and Sodium Hydroxide. Both precursors can be found anywhere and cost very little, and the procedure is pretty much foolproof.

 

[fastw]