Note to Self - "Don't get hung up about reels"

Yesterday I developed two rolls of 120 HP5 in my stainless steel tank. I've developed hundreds of films, but hardly ever had the problem I had yesterday. The top roll had a partially undeveloped strip at the top. I should have realised what had happened as the sloshing sound was different. I even re-checked the volume required to cover both reels - I use 850 ml and that is just right, halfway between the top of the top reel and the top of the tank. Then I realised what had happened. The reason the sloshing sounded different was that the top reel must have got caught by the spring clip at the top of the rod. I tried to replicate that, and it is quite easy to do. Now I've made a mental note to myself to check that each time.

I've never had that happen, but I've long ago removed those pesky spring clips from the cores of my 120 reels. They actually load more easily without them for me.

Somebody else mentioned loading without using clips recently. It makes sense, but the Hewes reels are so expensive I couldn't bring myself to vandalise them.

Put enough reels in the tank to keep them in their place, even if they are empty.

John Shriver said:

Put enough reels in the tank to keep them in their place, even if they are empty.

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Yes, but this was the top reel of two and there is no space to put one above it. I just need to make sure the reels are not hooked up on the rod.