I was wondering how many here use this method, and if so, do you normally store prints in a water bath after fixation until the final wash sequence. I can see how doing this might cause problems with the amount of fixer absorbed into the paper, perhaps making longer wash times necessary (I use Multigrade IV FB).
After fixing I place my prints in an archival washer. Usually during a print session I will accumulate 8-12 prints. However every 1/2 hour to 45 minutes or so I turn the water on for about 5 minutes which is enough time to cycle the water so the fixer doesn't accumulate.
I wash in either a rotary washer or archival washer, the acrhival is not a problem as each print is kept separate so you can start the wash time for each print as it added to the washer, but in the rotary washer I wash in a large batch. So I keep the water flow to a trickle, then when I am ready to wash I turn up the flow until the drum begins to rotate for the final wash. I pull the prints before the final wash for a soak in a clearing bath. I have not found any hypo when I test at the end of the wash cycle.
I give my prints an initial 30 second fix in rapid fixer and rinse well before putting into a holding tray of tap water. When I am done for the day, I wil refix the prints in a fresh batch of rapid fixer for 60 seconds, rinse, tone, put into 2% Sodium Sulphite with agitation for 10 minutes and wash thoroughly.
For fiber I use a two fix system then into a 20x24 tray with a syphon wash for about 5 minutes then into permawash for 3-10 minutes then into the archival washer to soak. When I'm done printing I run the archival washer for about an hour.
I usually selenium tone so for that the print goes from the 2 fix system to the syphon tray for 3-5 minutes, then into permawash for 3-10 minutes then into the syphon tray for 3-5 minutes. Then into selenium for 4-8 minutes then into syphon tray for 3-5, then permawash for 3-10 then into the archival washer.
Thank you everyone; very helpful advice... The well at my new house isn't up to the old 60 min. wash cycle I learned from AA, and I've been trying to trim it down to modern standards.
P.S. Michael, I'm removing the Weston quote from my signature!