Fixing quantity, tanks and storage

[Curt]

I am running out of TF-4, I look under the darkroom sink and find the KRF to make 5 gallons that I bought last year. I have a 2 1/2 gallon tank for fixer, one that I purchased from B&H or Freestyle, I forget which, do I go to home depot and get a 5 gallon plastic pale with a lid or order another 2 1/2 er? Maybe order a 5 gallon fixer tank with the spout? I seem to be using fixer faster than I was so maybe order 5 gallons of TF-4, I check and TF-4 only comes in 1 gallon to make 4 gallons. I guess that's why I use a floating lid.

I have may need to rethink my container sizes fixer. It may come down to how long the fixer will last as a stock. What to do with the KRF, leave the hardener out or in as Ron says and use it mixed for film and 1:1 for paper? Or put it back under the counter and just order a larger amount of TF-4 which I really like using.

What size tank are you using for fixer in your darkroom? When I was checking on a stainless steel tank for 5 gallons I found the cost was really high, Is plastic the only realistic choice?

Thanks,
Curt

 

[Neal]

Dear Curt,

You don't have to mix up the entire bottle of Kodak Rapid Fixer at once. Just mix up the volume you already have storage for.

Neal Wydra

 

[Curt]

I ordered some chemistry from the Photographers' Formulary, really nice people there by the way, getting some TF-4 and other stuff. I'll keep the Kodak as a back up under the sink.

It appears that most out there are using one gallon bottles and not larger tanks.

 

[George Collier]

As the instruction indicate, I believe, you should mix all of the TF4 at once, since it is really hard to keep all of the solids from settling, which is not a problem with KRF.
I use two buckets, each 2-3 gallons, mix half in each, as close as I can, then pour back and forth between the two buckets several times to equalize the solution, then into 1 gallon bottles for use.

 

[ic-racer]

I use a 5 gal tank with spout and floating lid. I fill it with ammonia thiosulfate stock solution and dilute it just before I use it.

 

[Curt]

In a large tank with a floating lid, how is the fixer mixed, does the TF-4 chemistry settle out over time or between uses, it's not like a jug that you can shake before using? You could take the lid off and take the floating lid out and use a paddle to stir the solution but that's not very practical.

As the instruction indicate, I believe, you should mix all of the TF4 at once, since it is really hard to keep all of the solids from settling, which is not a problem with KRF.
I use two buckets, each 2-3 gallons, mix half in each, as close as I can, then pour back and forth between the two buckets several times to equalize the solution, then into 1 gallon bottles for use.

George I was thinking about mixing the 1 gallon to make 4 gallons of TF-4 in a 5 gallon bucket then when fully mixed pour it in four one gallon containers, I have several Data containers. I was using a Premier 2 + gallon with a spigot which is nice but pouring from the gallon container might actually be easier.

Just because I need a larger quantity doesn't mean I need a larger tank, especially if the chemicals settle out. When you look at the Formulary prices you quickly see that the larger the quantity the lower the price per unit.

The people there at the Photographers' Formulary are really great to talk to on the phone too.

 

[Curt]

I decided to mix and use it from a 5 gallon bucket with a floating lid. I made a stirrer from 1/4 inch Lexan, it's a one piece paddle with a handle on one end and the other is about 6 inches wide with holes drilled in it with close spacing. I saw one at Art Center that they used to stir chemicals with out air entrainment. It works great, I don't know why I didn't do it sooner. I also made a stirrer 3/4 inch wide for smaller volume mixing.