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Keeping XTOL concentrate?

fiducio

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I did a little bit of research, but came up with nothing. I am going to start developing my film in XTOL, but I don't have a 5L jar to keep the chemistry in. I was wondering how well XTOL keeps if I keep a 5x concentrate mix of it and dilute it to stock when I'm ready to use it in portions. Any ideas or suggestions?
 
You'd be much better off splitting the 5L into smaller bottles for storage. This way, only 1 bottle would be partially full at any given time. The rest would be completely full, enhancing the keeping qualities of the developer. Kodak states 6 months in completely full and well stoppered bottles, two months in half full bottles. I use plastic soda pop bottles and they work fine for me. Needless to say, these are not hard to come by. They are safe (won't shatter if dropped) and do a good enough job.
 
Yesterday I've developed some film in Xtol mixed exactly year ago. Works as new.
I mix 5liter bag in 2,5l of water, divide that into some 300ml and 250ml glass bottles and protect with lighter gas.
 
As stated, it will keep much better in multiple small bottles than one big one. If you concentrate it, there would be a risk of some of the components crystalizing out.
 
I use a 5 liter wine box bladder for my stock and replenish a 1.75 liter Margarita bottle topped up every time.

Using Xtol replenished is great.

Try this thread. (there was a url link here which no longer exists)
 
Keeping Xtol Concentrate

I mixed up a quart package of Diafine and stored the two separate parts in plastic soda bottles. I only developed a few rolls and by the end of a year it was dead. I think I'll mix up a new batch and split the A into two 16 0z. glass bottles and the B into another two 16 oz. glass bottles.
 
I use 6 x 1 liter bottles. When I get down to just one bottle, that is my cue to mix the next batch so I don't run out. I have had no problems storing it for at least 3 months if not 5 months this way during slow periods. It is very inexpensive though so if you are a low volume user, just dump it and re-mix every 3 months.

Oops, I just looked. The price has gone up to $10 per 5L pack. Not as cheap as I thought.
 
I mix my Xtol with distilled water for 2.5 liters of 2X solution. I store this in small 330ml glass bottles. I open a bottle and use it all to make 660ml of 1X. This way my developer is always fresh. I have tested bottles made three years ago and they worked fine.
PS it is not possible to get the chemicals in a bag of Xtol to dissolve in just one liter. At least at room temperature.
 
Haha, some great comments! And very hepful. I think what I'll do is keep the developer in two and a half bottles. 2Ls and a 1L just to be safe. I don't have a problem using developer fast enough, I end up shooting at least 5 rolls a week at the very least. And I mix my powder chemisty at 100°F so I dissolve them fully. I never reuse my developers, and think I can go through 5L rather quickly. Thanks!
 
fiducio said:
... And I mix my powder chemisty at 100°F so I dissolve them fully...
Click to expand...
That might be excessive. According to Kodak, water temperature should be between 65 and 85°F (18 to 30°C). You might harm your developer at 100°F.
 
mpirie said:
Mark - If anyone complains of an upset stomach after a party at your house.....check your developer levels
Click to expand...

He, He, He
 
Anon Ymous said:
That might be excessive. According to Kodak, water
temperature should be between 65 and 85°F (18 to 30°C).
Click to expand...

So room temperature will do. XTOL is a vitamin C
+ phenidone developer. Careful with that vitamin C.

Were I to use XTOL I'd likely prepare 21/2 liters then
dilute 1:1 at time of use. Dan
 
I keep my XTOL full strength. I mix it in a plastic bucket and put 1 quart in a 1 quart bottle and the rest in a 1 gallon collapsible bottle. I would rather use 1 liter bottles, but I do not have any.

Steve
 
I keep it in plastic water bottles from Target, never had a problem, lasts about a year
 
fiducio said:
............. I was wondering how well XTOL keeps if I keep a 5x concentrate mix of it and dilute it to stock when I'm ready to use it in portions. Any ideas or suggestions?
Click to expand...

I have dissolved a 5L pack in 2L by warming it up a little more than suggested in the instructions. More than that concentration would be difficult, i think. And there is the risk of it crystallizing if storage conditions are cool.
 
I mix 5L bag into 2.5L. Makes it much easier to store.
 
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