Neutral to slightly alkaline fixer, dilution?

[Shakti V.]

This is a formula I found from a source that didn't indicate the dilution and fixing times for FB prints:

Neutral to slightly alkaline rapid fixer

ammonium thiosulfate (60% solution) 200ml
sodium sulfite 15g
sodium metabisulfite 5g
water to make 1 liter


What is the dilution of this fixer? The amount of ammonium thiosulfate is smaller than that of the TF-3 formula (800ml). Since TF-3 is diluted at 1:4 and fixes FB prints at 1-2 minutes, would it be a good assumption to dilute this neutral to slightly alkaline fixer at 1:1 and fix FB prints at 1-2 minutes (the same as TF-3)?

I'm just starting to learn mixing my own chemicals, and I'm experimenting now on different kinds of fixers. Hope you can help. Thanks.

 

[Ole]

There's about 120g ammonium thiosulfate in one liter of fixer, which is a "good concentration". TF-3 has four times as much, so diluted 1+3 (or 1:4 if you prefer) it ends up with the same concentration of 120g/l.

In other words: This recipe is not intended for diluting, use full strength.

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

There's about 120g ammonium thiosulfate in one liter of fixer, which is a "good concentration". TF-3 has four times as much, so diluted 1+3 (or 1:4 if you prefer) it ends up with the same concentration of 120g/l.

In other words: This recipe is not intended for diluting, use full strength.

Yes, I recognize this recipe as Ryuji Suzuki's Neutral Rapid Fixer. It is posted in the Apug Chemical Recipes (hope Sean gets this section back up soon). This fixer has good capacity and is used without dilution.

For Fiber Prints, I use it as a 2 bath fixer (2 trays with a fresh liter in each tray). I fixes quickly and washes out easily.

 

[Shakti V.]

So, no dilution. Thanks. I will use it at full strength and fix FB prints for 1-2 minutes. I cannot do the 2-bath fixing because I lack trays and more signifacantly, space. Since my fiber paper is museum weight at 30x40cm, I will use hypo-clearing agent for 2-3 minutes. I hope nothing is wrong with my method. If there is, please let me know.