reusability of b&w chemicals and working solutions

[LuckyLuki]

Hi guys!
I have a question about reusing the basic photo chemicals involved in the b&w film developing process.
I plan on getting light and air proof bottles in which I mix my working solutions and plan on always pouring back the chemicals for a certain amount of times.
However, I am unsure about how often I should pour the chemicals back before dumping them out. Some say always use the developer as a one-shot others say you can use them for three roles. At this point I'm just confused but I certainly don't want to waste chemicals that I could still be using.
These are the chemicals I use:

Developer: HC-110 (Dilution B = 1:63)
Stop-Bath: Ilford Ilfostop (1:19)
Fixer: Ilford Rapid Fix (1:4)
Wetting Agent: Tetenal Mirasol 2000 Antistatic (1:400)

Can you guys give me tipps on how often I should pour the chemicals back before dumping them and do you know good storage bottles for the working solutions?
Right now I use old wine bottles
I appreciate any help and kind regards,
Lukas

 

[MattKing]

HC-110 dil H is a one-shot only developer, unless you are able to find some HC-110 replenisher, and follow the replenishment procedure.

Stop bath can be re-used until the indicator changes colour, except that you will find that it will need filtering and will tend to promote mould growth if you leave it for awhile. So re-use makes sense if you are going to develop multiple batches of film over a short time (3-4 days) but longer term storage isn't a good idea. One tip to increase economy: if you use stop bath one-shot, mix and use it at half strength.

Ilford Rapid Fix can be re-used until: a) it loses chemical capacity; and b) it becomes saturated with silver. Use a "clip test" to estimate remaining capacity - measure the clearing time when first mixed and then check it regularly. When the clearing time is twice the initial clearing time, it is time to replace the fixer. I also pay heed to Ilford's capacity figures, which appears to be 24 rolls per litre of working strength fixer, as can be found on the data sheet: http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/2011427111531653.pdf.

You may need to filter the fixer from time to time, and you need to devote the working strength fixer to film use only - don't use it for paper as well.

Working strength wetting agent will grow mould quickly. Use your wetting agent one-shot only, except if you are processing multiple batches of film in a single day, when you can re-use it during that day.

The HC-110, stop bath and wetting agent tend to be very economical, so it makes sense to use them one-shot.

Hope this helps.

EDIT: HC-110 dilution B is 1+31. Unofficial HC-110 dilution H is 1+63.

 

[LuckyLuki]

Wow, that was hell of a detailed answer!
Thank you very much! So I guess I won't reuse the developer from now on.
The weird thing is that I did use the developer now already three times or so and still get good results.

 

[bvy]

As a general rule, any diluted film developer should be used one shot. Well, that's my general rule anyway. I've reused stock solutions (D-76 and Perceptol) but even then, reused them just once. I try not to push my luck.

 

[Xmas]

D76 or ID11 1 litre packs without replinish should develop ten off 36 exposure 135 cassettes, just don't try 11...

 

[Kirks518]

Don't mean to hijack, but if you use fixer to develop C41 (in B&W), can the fixer be re-used in B&W? I did a couple of C41's last night, and I saved the fixer. I figure I can use it for C41 again, but can I use it for regular B&W?

 

[Xmas]

The C41 fix is just an acid hypo same as a mono fix but you need to avoid over use. The c41 kit will say so many films don't exceed. The tabular grain films Eg acros and deltas need more fixing treat each as two.

If you are at 20C open tank after 4 minutes and inspect film if it is milky still stir until it clears then fix for same time again.

Under fixing or using exhausted fix both will damage negatives.

Use two changes of water for stop.

 

[Kirks518]

Thanks Xmas, but I think you read it wrong. I processed C-41 film in B&W chemicals.

I just checked the fixer mix I have with a leader clip, and it cleared in 14.4 seconds. Isn't that unusually fast? Using the 3xT, that give a fixer time of 45 seconds, which sounds ridiculously fast. The clip didn't look werd or anything after fixing, so I'm going to use 3 minutes, which is what the bottle says (3-4 minutes).

 

[Xmas]

Yes I read it wrong.

But the rule set is the same you are using fast (ammonium) thiosulphate fix it will work ok for C41 or mono retained silver.

As it exhausts it will slow if when you open tank at 3 minutes & the film is still milky you need to keep it there longer, or make up some fresh.

The fix time is temperature dependent and some of the C41s may be tabular.

If the fixer ( or developer) gets deposits you need to dribble it through coffee filter, pretty normal with stock bottle processing.

 

[removed account4]

mabe its just me but i wouldnt make a large quantity of wetting agent / photo flo
but usw it as you process ... and dump it as you ise it ...
it costs pennies and only takes a few drops to do handfulls of films ...

 

[Terry Christian]

Don't reuse working strength diluted as opposed to stock solution) chemicals. The more a developer is diluted, the shorter its working life. Tightly capped stock solutions generally last at least six months. If you want to develop more than one roll, do them at the same time, or mix up only as much working strength solution as you need.

Stop bath, fixer, and all C-41 chemicals (including developer) are generally reused until they are exhausted.

 

[mklw1954]

Read the chemical supplier's data sheets that provide information on storage and reuse capacity. One of the disadvantages of no-name chemicals is that they often do not provide this information.