Keeping XTOL concentrate?

[fiducio]

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?

 

[Ian David]

Why not store it in several smaller bottles?

 

[fschifano]

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.

 

[david b]

I split xtol into five 1 liter bottles. Never had a problem. Fill them to the tippy top.

 

[Domin]

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.

 

[bdial]

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.

 

[markbarendt]

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)

 

[dynachrome]

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.

 

[jeroldharter]

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.

 

[brianmquinn]

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.

 

[mpirie]

I use a 5 liter wine box bladder for my stock and replenish a 1.75 liter Margarita bottle topped up every time.

Mark - If anyone complains of an upset stomach after a party at your house.....check your developer levels

 

[fiducio]

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!

 

[Anon Ymous]

... And I mix my powder chemisty at 100°F so I dissolve them fully...

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.

 

[markbarendt]

Mark - If anyone complains of an upset stomach after a party at your house.....check your developer levels

He, He, He

 

[dancqu]

That might be excessive. According to Kodak, water
temperature should be between 65 and 85°F (18 to 30°C).

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

 

[Sirius Glass]

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

 

[vedmak]

I keep it in plastic water bottles from Target, never had a problem, lasts about a year

 

[john_s]

............. 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?

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.

 

[dfoo]

I mix 5L bag into 2.5L. Makes it much easier to store.