Paterson tank leaking

Tom Cross · Sep 21, 2016

hi all, I have a Paterson tank as pictured. This one holds 2x135 or 1x120. After pouring the developer in the tank I always pump the lid a bit to push out the air to try and stop it leaking during agitation. This works well for the developer but the stop bath and fixer leak every time, it evens leaks when the tank is sat still not being agitated, you can see it pumping out, presumably from the internal pressure.

Is this a common problem? It's not a particularly old tank so I can't see that the O ring would need replacing already.

I also have a bigger tank that will take 5x135 or 3x120 - this doesn't seem too bad but the red cap takes a while to get on and the whole lid just slides on not screw.

Svenedin · Sep 21, 2016

It's not a Paterson tank. It looks like a tank marketed by Kaiser and also sold as made by AP.

I have both Paterson tanks and AP tanks. The Paterson ones don't leak too badly if "burped" but I still work over a sink. I don't like my AP tanks very much. The red top is difficult to take off.

If there is liquid around the rim with the AP tank it will leak that liquid when you invert. The fact that it leaks when standing suggests you are actually pressurising it rather than letting pressure out! Try it without "pumping" the lid. They also leak more if overfilled.

MattKing · Sep 21, 2016

I don't think that is a Paterson tank, but rather a different brand that may very well be compatible with Paterson reels.

That being said, it is the fixer stage where "pumping" the lid is most likely to matter. Some times during the stop stage as well. The leaking you are observing is due to the chemical reaction and resultant "bubbling" that occurs when the developer soaked film and reels go into the acidic stop and fixer environments.

I describe the technique to use as "burping" the lid. Try doing that a couple of more times.

MattKing · Sep 21, 2016

Svenedin said:
It's not a Paterson tank. It looks like a tank marketed by Kaiser and also sold as made by AP.

I have both Paterson tanks and AP tanks. The Paterson ones don't leak too badly if "burped" but I still work over a sink. I don't like my AP tanks very much. The red top is difficult to take off.

If there is liquid around the rim with the AP tank it will leak that liquid when you invert. The fact that it leaks when standing suggests you are actually pressurising it rather than letting pressure out! Try it without "pumping" the lid. They also leak more if overfilled.

What he said, although I like my AP tanks.

MartinP · Sep 21, 2016

If that model of tank is from Paterson then it is many decades old. The current model, Super-System-4, was what I bought as my first tank around 38 to 40 years ago.

If it is another brand, then simply release the pressure between agitations.

Tom Cross · Sep 21, 2016

Thanks all. I've looked at the receipt (I keep these!) and it is an AP tank not a Paterson. The larger tank I have is a new Paterson Super System 4 but I rarely use it so can't remember how bad the leaking is on it - I know it's more of a pain to get the red lid on and off and it doesn't screw on, just twists.

I'll try burping it a bit more between agitations. Failing that I'll get a Paterson!

Thanks again.

John Koehrer · Sep 23, 2016

Would a dab of petroleum jelly spread around the lid help it it slip on/off?
Not to say a big glob a small bit on a fingertip. If you see anything but a shine on the surface
you've used too much.

Svenedin · Sep 23, 2016

This AP tank leaks from the "gutter" if liquid is left when changing solutions. The red top effectively seals the chamber but it does not seal liquid remaining in the gutter.

Tom Cross · Sep 25, 2016

Thanks all, I should have really got a genuine Paterson for the small saving I made in getting an AP one. Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll try each and see which works best.

mshchem · Sep 25, 2016

I've used Paterson tanks since the 70's, inverted they all leak. Still I'm very fond of Paterson products. The newer version is better than the original system 4 for leaking. I'm using a Jobo rotary setup now. It seeps a bit as well. I was always somewhat impressed by the AP reels. I think I would give it another go over the sink. If not a new Paterson outfit is very reasonable.
Best Regards Mike

MattKing · Sep 25, 2016

In some ways I prefer the smaller in size AP tanks. They have a much more positive method for attaching the lid, and they are much easier to use if you want to use rotary agitation, because they have nearly straight exterior sides.

Mine don't leak appreciably.

Pat Erson · Sep 26, 2016

In my experience tanks might leak if they are improperly stored between sessions. If you don't firmly push the rubber lid into the tank or (even worse) you let the lid dry by itself next to the tank it'll shrink a tiny bit and then leakage will happen.

Tom Cross · Sep 27, 2016

Pat Erson said:
In my experience tanks might leak if they are improperly stored between sessions. If you don't firmly push the rubber lid into the tank or (even worse) you let the lid dry by itself next to the tank it'll shrink a tiny bit and then leakage will happen.

Interesting as I'd always leave everything loose so as to let it dry properly. Removing or restricting the air could potentially mean it doesn't dry properly

Pat Erson · Oct 9, 2016

"Interesting as I'd always leave everything loose so as to let it dry properly"
I do too of course. The shrinking may happen if the lid is left "alone" for a long period of time, not 24hrs. I was given an unused PT tank and when I processed films with it I noticed the lid was tight.

baachitraka · Oct 9, 2016

Paterson leaks too. Mine is supposed to use the spindle to turn the reels for agitation, instead of inversion.

But some where I have read the best way to get the fresh developer is to invert the tank.

So I ignored the leak and continue to use it.

chromacomaphoto · Oct 9, 2016

Love Paterson tanks, my personal choice always but they all leak a bit at times whatever you do to be honest.

HiHoSilver · Oct 9, 2016

I've had one Sys IV (80's vintage) and one earlier Patterson tank start leaking. Both were from cracks in the tank. The pre-sysIV had a circular crack on the bottom, the Sys IV had one on the bottom that ran up the side. I have liked them alot, so I got another. 'Hope it lasts as long.

Paterson tank leaking

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