How to extend GSD-10's shelf life?

[removedacct3]

I am about to mix a new batch of GSD-10. This time it will be the double concentrate version. My first and until now last batch was the original version and within six months or so I had white flakes. Quite a bummer!

Now I am looking for a way to extend shelf life. The double concentrate should have an improved shelf life. Using glass bottles and topping it off with lighter gas should help.

Using 1L bottles for long term storage and decanting into smaller (250mL) bottles to work from should help.

I am also considering to keep the sodium sulfite with glycin separate from sodium carbonate. And mix these two parts just before use.

And last, but not least, I am also considering to mix Hubl's Paste instead of GSD-10.

Using 510-pyro and Hypercat makes me a spoiled developer ..... now I expect everything to have a shelf life of decades

Looking for magic when it comes to GSD-10 and shelf life. What would be your suggestion?

Thanks for reading!

 

[Rudeofus]

Did you use tap water to mix the concentrate, could water hardness be the main issue here? White flakes are not the way in which I would expect this developer to fail over time.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Questions about extending the shelf life of various developers are constantly asked on APUG. Of course the answer is simple and obvious. Only mix enough developer that you expect to use in a reasonable time. Estimate how many films you develop each month. Most developers have a shelf life of 3 to 6 months unless otherwise indicated. Glycin developers are known for their longer life.

Older formulas like Huebl Paste seem exotic and hint at the holy grail of developers. As with all older formulas is that there is no guarantee they will work well with modern emulsions. The problem with a paste would be in measuring it accurately. Then too GSD-10 and Huebl are variations of the same formula. They both contain the same ingredients.

 

[removedacct3]

... Of course the answer is simple and obvious. Only mix enough developer that you expect to use in a reasonable time ...

You're right, that is a very reasonable method. And I would love to do so, if only the shipping costs for chemicals from Montana to the Netherlands weren't so high.

 

[removedacct3]

Did you use tap water to mix the concentrate, could water hardness be the main issue here?

No, I used distilled water at the time. But I stored it using flimsy plastic bottles and did not top it off with a protective gas.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

You're right, that is a very reasonable method. And I would love to do so, if only the shipping costs for chemicals from Montana to the Netherlands weren't so high.

Is the developer premixed or made from separate chemicals which was my initial reading. Glycin seems to keep very well when stored in a freezer. If made from separate chemicals you can still mix what is needed.

 

[Alan Johnson]

I experienced similar relatively short life with GSD-10, IIRC it deposits a grey sludge.
Since the glycin/metol based FX-2 ,which keeps the carbonate separate, does not do this,I attributed the short life of GSD-10 to reaction of glycin with carbonate and concluded it is best to keep them separate.

 

[Ashfaque]

I vaguely recall reading somewhere (here, flickr or, photo.net) that glycine will be fine in the fridge for many months if not for years, provided you keep it there without moisture/humidity buidling up. Perhaps this strategy will work
- glycine inside a glass bottles with the mouth being plastic wrapped (those food grade plastic wrapper should suffice) and then tightly closed. Pick a glass bottle/jar that will have the least amount of empty space after.
- then put the sealed bottle inside an air tight plastic box
- put the plastic box in your fridge.
- before opening the plastic box again, wait at least 3-4 hours for it to reach room temperature.

Disclaimer: I never used/stored glycine. Just fine tuning my film storing method in the fridge.

 

[removedacct3]

Is the developer premixed or made from separate chemicals which was my initial reading. Glycin seems to keep very well when stored in a freezer. If made from separate chemicals you can still mix what is needed.

No, it's not premixed. I am aware that Glycin seems to keep well when stored in a freezer. But I not have a separate freezer for my photo stuff. And using my regular freezer for this kind of stuff ........ hmmm, does not seem a very wise idea.