Material to make a plastic storage bottle

[analogfotog]

I need to make a custom size bottle to store developer (modified Ansco 17M). I am going to make it out of several components, made of white PVC and black ABS plastic. I will be joining the components with the approved cement for this type of application. I have previously made, and use, processing tanks made of white PVC, and they work just fine.

Has anybody ever done this? Are there any potential problems with using ABS for storage? PVC should be okay, as I have never had any problems with this material, and most modern processing equipment has gray PVC tanks and fluid lines.

Any input on this subject would be welcome.

 

[Lowell Huff]

If you are talking about a "barrier" bottle they are available. What is the custom size you need?

 

[Ian Grant]

WHY ?

Just find one or two bottles of the right capacity. I'm saying that as someone who manufactured machinery from PVC and ABS.

Ian

 

[domaz]

Hmm are you trying to make your own homemade processor or something? Need custom bottles to work with a chemical pump? Or just like to make things?

 

[Nick Zentena]

Depending on what you like. Wander around the grocery store or the LCBO. Look for a bottle the right size. At worse you dump what's in the bottle. At best you drink it -)

If that's too much. Get a larger bottle and fill the bottom with something to displace the excess.

 

[analogfotog]

Thanks, but I've been those routes.

I want a bottle of approximately 2.75-litres capacity. My home made processing tanks will hold eight rolls of 35mm film, or five rolls of 120 film, which both require about 2.6-litres of solution. I want the bottle to be full to the brim.

I have tried adding marbles to a 4-litre jug of D-23, and it's a real drag when the bottom of the bottle slowly accumulates a sulfite sludge. The marbles rattle when I invert the bottle to mix the replenisher, and they are heavy. It takes almost 100 marbles to displace 1-litre, anyway. And, I only have one glass bottle; plastic bottles will flex too much, and they get much, much too heavy with those 100 marbles.

Using two or more bottles is a non-starter, as one must constantly mix them in a bigger container before and after use. Spillage becomes a problem.

Why don't I just mix 4-litres? Because I am trying to keep the volume down to the minimum to cover the reels of film. I mix my replenisher one or one-half litre at a time. When I have added a volume of replenisher equal to the volume of developer, I use it to capacity, then sewer it.

I have had a bottle of D-23 on the go for almost three years, and it still works just fine. I have about 500-mL of replenisher to go before I mix another litre. When that's gone, it will be the end of the line for that developer.

So, rather than trying to correct what is perceived as the error of my ways, would anybody have any real information (a.k.a. facts) about my question? I have been photographing for almost 40 years, and have probably made any mistake that can be made, at least three times.

 

[Lowell Huff]

2.75 liters is nearly 3 quarts (2.91qts). Why don't you use that for storage?

 

[analogfotog]

2.75 liters is nearly 3 quarts (2.91qts). Why don't you use that for storage?

I would if I could find one. Bottles (at least up here in the Great White North) can be found in one-, two and four-litre sizes.

The only bottles close to that size (three U.S. quarts) are ones which come with laundry detergent, or chlorine bleach in them.

 

[Bill Mobbs]

Why not use PVC tubing with PVC Cap on one end, reducer fitting on the other with a screw in plug for a top. The right diameter and cut to length for the capacity you want?

 

[Mike Wilde]

The other route - more developer

Using more developer than you need works ok - just don't pour all of it into the tank. When done, pour some off to the side, rest into main tank, replenish as neded, and off to side bit added intil the jug is full.

The other option is to gas the top of the partly full jug. Look at Private Preserve - not at LCBO, but boutique outfits. I saw the last one I laid eyes on at Magnotta.

If that is not an option, and you are not partial to proane or butane, then bite the bullet like I did and buy a nitrogen/oxygen pressure regulator and tank ( god bless the *bay back when it had geographic areas sort). I fill it at a depot about once a year, for $10, and use it to drive solutions in a wing lynch.

 

[RobC]

http://www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk/products/tetenal-chemical-storage-bottle--2-5-litres/503/

Ok so they say 2.5 litres but you said approximately and you can bet the 2.5 litres for these bottles is not to the brim so I rekon they will give you what you are looking for. i.e. 2.6 to 2.75 litres.

 

[dynachrome]

Plastic Storage Bottle

My favorite type of storage bottle for film chemicals is a glass swing top type. When you fill them up, Grolsch beer bottles with the swing top stopper keep things fresh for a long time. Over time I think you will have fewer problems with glass than with plastic. Brewing supply companies sell swing top bottles in various sizes. You can also replace the rubber gaskets when they get old. You can pour everything into a large beaker to prepare it for being poured into the tank. When you pour it out out of the tank it can go back into the beaker so you can add the correct amount of replenisher. Some other possibilities include large wine and champagne bottles in various sizes. You would need to find rubber stoppers for these. Supermarkets sell soda in 3 liter plastic bottles with screw caps so that might work.

If you are using D23 you are probably making it up yourself. Rather than keeping such a large volume of replenished developer on hand you might consider getting HC-110 or just making up a batch of PC-TEA. PC-TEA lasts a very long time, is diluted 1:50 for use and is very economical.

 

[RobC]

And probably even easier for you to get hold of are:

Dead Link Removed

I have some Hama 2 litre bottles which are almost identical and if I fill them to the 2 litre mark, I can get anohther 250ml in the bottle to the rim so I guess the jobo 2.5 litre bottles will do the same for you.

 

[KD5NRH]

I would if I could find one. Bottles (at least up here in the Great White North) can be found in one-, two and four-litre sizes.

The only bottles close to that size (three U.S. quarts) are ones which come with laundry detergent, or chlorine bleach in them.

Check your dollar stores; the one here usually has generic grape soda in 3L bottles. They also have some drinks in 1.24L bottles which nicely make up the difference between a gallon and 5L.