Ilford Rapid Fixer - milkyness and heavy odour?

[kozesluk]

Hello,
I tried searching but found nothing. I have a 5 l package of Ilford Rapid Fixer and it's about 2-3 years old, now it's about 1/3 full.
Today when mixing fresh fixer I opened the bottle and it was stinking of acid and the liquid was a bit milky (like cloudy inside - don't know how to express it) - I was used the Rapid Fixer being nearly odorless so this makes me wonder if it is still OK to use it. However it fixed test strip quickly.

Is it safe to use it or should I discard it for non-critical application only?
Thanks for all answers.

 

[KenS]

Throw it out.... as may be seen in the Monty Python sketch of the caged parrot, it is now dead... it is a container of ex-Fixer.

Ken

 

[kozesluk]

Even when it actually cleared the test-strip in less than half minute?

 

[Gerald C Koch]

The fixer has started to sulfurize. Discard it as the condition will continue to worsen. The sulfur particles can adhere to film and are impossible to remove.

 

[kozesluk]

Okay, I'll discard it completely... Thanks for the advice.

 

[altair]

This has happened to me 2-3 times before. I think it's because the bottle of fixer was left unused while it is less than full. Air gets in and oxidizes/sulfurizes the fixer inside. Those times that I was overly optimistic thinking that the fixer would still fix a roll of film properly, I wish I hadn't. Most times it required a re-fix with a fresh batch of fixer. Throwing it out is the best thing to do.