Microphen Question

[gnashings]

I have some Microphen mixed up and stored in plastic bottles, which I squeezed until there was no air in them before tightening the caps. The date on the caps is Feb 10 of this year... Should I risk using it? Or is it a case of better losing some old microphen than a roll of film? Thanks for your help,

Peter.

 

[David H. Bebbington]

Personally I have found that Microphen (and other stock solutions) keep fine in full tightly sealed bottles for at least 6 months.

 

[argus]

I must second that.

G

 

[jim appleyard]

What you really want are glass bottles that you can squeeze the air out of! Most plastics wil let air in and in time will ruin the dev. I use glass bottles and fill up the extra space with glass marbles.

 

[Bob F.]

If using glass bottles, make sure the caps are made of PET or PVC: the usual LDPE or HDPE caps are not sufficiently gas tight, or make a PVC seal to fit inside the cap. Cling-film is usually PVC and can apparently be used even though it is very thin (ref: http://silvergrain.org/Photo-Tech/plastic.html).

Stock solutions spoil faster than concentrates, but I have had stock ID-11 in 2 litre fizzy drink bottles (PET) be fine for 12 months. Not tried microphen, but I would expect it is fine after only 3 months.


Cheers, Bob.

 

[Seele]

I have found Microphen stock solution has quite remarkable keeping quality; I usually buy a large pack, mix it up and put them in smaller bottles, say half-litre ones, and they last for years with no adverse effect at all.

 

[jim appleyard]

One more thing, if in doubt, do a test roll before committing anything important.