Moersch ATS Alkaline fixer reuse

[Captain Mainwaring]

For some reason, I haven't found any relevant information in any of the numerous fixer reuse threads, whether here or elsewhere, so I feel obliged to ask. I got a bottle of Moersch ATS fixer in the post today, and I am uncertain about the procedure. With Ilford Rapid Fix I reuse the 1:5 solution about 20 times with no ill effects (unless we're talking Kodak TMX; the solution capacity gets trimmed down quite a bit in that case). When I started using Pyrocat like crazy, I took the advice to avoid acidic fixers to heart; my standard procedure would be a really long wash instead of a stop bath followed by a long dip in sodium thiosulphate solution, 125 g per 0.5 l, which would then get discarded.

So, as I've said, there are lots and lots of threads out there about reusing acidic fixers. Alkaline? Nothing. Or at least, nothing that I could find.

Thus, the question is (as if it wasn't obvious enough already): is alkaline fixer reusable at all, and, if so, how many times can I safely reuse it? Do I extend the fixing time after reuse? Any firsthand experience, anyone?

 

[RalphLambrecht]

For some reason, I haven't found any relevant information in any of the numerous fixer reuse threads, whether here or elsewhere, so I feel obliged to ask. I got a bottle of Moersch ATS fixer in the post today, and I am uncertain about the procedure. With Ilford Rapid Fix I reuse the 1:5 solution about 20 times with no ill effects (unless we're talking Kodak TMX; the solution capacity gets trimmed down quite a bit in that case). When I started using Pyrocat like crazy, I took the advice to avoid acidic fixers to heart; my standard procedure would be a really long wash instead of a stop bath followed by a long dip in sodium thiosulphate solution, 125 g per 0.5 l, which would then get discarded.

So, as I've said, there are lots and lots of threads out there about reusing acidic fixers. Alkaline? Nothing. Or at least, nothing that I could find.

Thus, the question is (as if it wasn't obvious enough already): is alkaline fixer reusable at all, and, if so, how many times can I safely reuse it? Do I extend the fixing time after reuse? Any firsthand experience, anyone?

You are definitely best off to contact Moersch directly.

 

[Captain Mainwaring]

You are definitely best off to contact Moersch directly.

Actually, I haven't been paying attention. They say "12 rolls of film per litre of working solution" on their site. And here I was running around in circles trying to reinvent the wheel. Duh.

 

[Doremus Scudder]

Learn how to do a clip test. Fix your film for at least twice the time it takes the film to clear. Toss the fix when the clearing time approaches twice that in fresh fix. Or use the manufacturer's throughput capacity.

For prints, use the manufacturer's throughput capacity. If you print on fiber-base paper, use two-bath fixation.

Best,

Doremus

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

By the way, there is nothing wrong with using an acid fix like Ilford rapid, with Pyrocat-HD. I've been using that combo for decades.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

For my film processing I use a standard acid fix in 2-bath configuration. No issues with pink negatives etc.

 

[Rudeofus]

The reason, why you found many threads for acidic fixer reuse and little about neutral or alkaline fixers is, because acidic fixers were pretty much the only game in town until Bill Troop destroyed that myth, and because neutral/alkaline fixers generally create fewer issues during storage and reuse.

Yes, the clip test is always recommended if you are unsure about capacity, but generally expect neutral/alkaline fixers to be extremely well behaved. All these "my fixer turned milky" threads are exclusive to acidic fixers. I mixed some experimental fixer working solution at pH 11 several years ago, and it still looks like new.