Glass and Cross Contamination

bvy · Jun 13, 2016

Stupid question. I have several small glass bottles that I once used to store color blix. With proper cleaning, is it safe to store developer (XTOL) in these? Thanks.

RauschenOderKorn · Jun 14, 2016

If you clean them properly, no problem ....

pdeeh · Jun 14, 2016

bvy said:
Stupid question. I have several small glass bottles that I once used to store color blix. With proper cleaning, is it safe to store developer (XTOL) in these? Thanks.

it's not a stupid question, but it does invite a prior question, which is "what is proper cleaning?"
A wash out with dishwashing liquid and a few rinses under the hot tap?
Scrubbing with a bottle brush?
Acid dichromate cleansing?
...

bvy · Jun 14, 2016

Thanks. These are small bottles with a small neck so getting in there with a brush won't be easy. But they have no odors or staining. I cleaned them with dish soap and near boiling water.

Gerald C Koch · Jun 14, 2016

The question is why does the OP wants to decant Xtol into a number of small bottles. The difficulty that some people experienced with Xtol many years ago was solved. In addition the problem had nothing to do with aerial oxidation. So decanting the developer into a number of small bottles serves no purpose. Treat Xtol as if it were any other developer say D-76.

StephenT · Jun 14, 2016

Generally accepted procedure in some labs is to rinse 10 times. That assumes no solid matter stuck to the bottom, of course. Fill half way and shake vigorously several times and inspect the bottles. When satisfied there is no remaining "stuff," then do the 10 full rinses and you should be OK.

StephenT · Jun 14, 2016

By the way, I store working solution XTOL in liter boston rounds, and replenish from 8 ounce bottles (filling to the brim). SOME people top off the smaller bottles from little propane cylinders. I won't admit to that, but if you do, be sure you turn off the valve completely on the little cylinders.

I have experienced no problems using replenished XTOL as compared to using fresh at 1+1 dilutions. I have joined the ranks of those who feel that NOT replenishing XTOL is wasteful. HOWEVER, I DO follow the recommendations of replenishment rates and if I haven't developed in a couple of weeks, add 100ml of fresh stock solution before developing. AND I use a test strip just to test the action of the developer (probably unnecessary, but it gives me comfort!)

gone · Jun 14, 2016

It should be fine, you're developing film not performing laboratory experiments. Whatever tiny, tiny bit of residue is doubtful to have any adverse effect on the developer. Heat and air are the things that cause developer to go off.

bvy · Jun 14, 2016

Gerald C Koch said:
The question is why does the OP wants to decant Xtol into a number of small bottles. The difficulty that some people experienced with Xtol many years ago was solved. In addition the problem had nothing to do with aerial oxidation. So decanting the developer into a number of small bottles serves no purpose. Treat Xtol as if it were any other developer say D-76.

The OP has a workflow that works for him and is sticking to it! After all, you have to store the solution in something. What does the size of the bottle matter? I've already lost a roll due to aerial oxidation of XTOL -- and it happened much more quickly for me with XTOL than with D76.

The bottles I have are 120ml amber rounds from Specialty Bottle -- perfect for one shot consumption (I use it 1+1).

Old-N-Feeble · Jun 14, 2016

I don't think the glass will absorb anything significant but might build up some surface accumulation. What and how much, I don't know.

paul ron · Jun 17, 2016

i think your wash is sufficient as long as the bottles dont have any hardened sediment at the bottom. perhaps using a slender bottle brush may be worth using anyway?

try one first? if it works, go for it.

bvy · Jun 17, 2016

Thanks. Just to follow up, I washed the bottles with near boiling water and stored XTOL in the blix bottle for a couple days. I used it and it worked just fine.

Actually, the plastic caps are more likely to retain previously used chemicals, I would think. They also got the boiling water treatment, and no ill effects to reports.

Sirius Glass · Jun 17, 2016

Not a stupid question. None of us was born with photographic knowledge, we had to learn it from someone else. That is why we are here.

Glass and Cross Contamination

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