Shelf Life if Rapid Fixer

[scinysnaps]

How long does a 1:4 solution of Ilford Rapid fixer last?
I have it stored in a dark plastic bottle..

 

[Ian Grant]

Over six months, I left mine in the fixer trays in early May and it was still OK in late November when I returned to the UK again and used it, I do cover the trays with acrylic lids.

Ian

 

[scinysnaps]

Cool..

 

[photomem]

I have to say, yesterday was the first time I had used the Ilford rapid fixer. That stuff freaking rocks. 1:9 Solution was supposed to fix a print in 60 seconds? I left mine in for 2 minutes to be sure, but still. I am done with Kodak powder fix.

 

[Tim Gray]

I've had mine in bottles for about 6 months and it seems to work.

I did have a bit of undiluted in an old bottle (2 years old?) and it developed some strange precipitate in it. Looked like little crystalline fibers. I tossed it.

 

[Martin Aislabie]

How long does a 1:4 solution of Ilford Rapid fixer last?
I have it stored in a dark plastic bottle..

Squeeze the bottle to exclude the air when you cap the bottle and as Ian says it lasts for ages.

Oxygen is just bad news for all photographic chemicals

Martin

 

[Anon Ymous]

I had a bottle that was 3/4 full (concentrate) and it was stored for about a year in a place where temperature varied between below zero in the winter to about 40 degrees C or more in the summer. It worked perfectly and it didn't have any precipitate.

 

[dancqu]

Lasts Until?

How long does a 1:4 solution of Ilford Rapid fixer last?
I have it stored in a dark plastic bottle..

Last? That isn't exactly pinning it down. How long before
it drops to 50% of it's fresh strength is pinning it down.
Lasts for a few is good for 1 more roll of film or 2
more 8x10s. Where do you draw the line? Dan

 

[Doremus Scudder]

From Ilford (probably exactly the same as came with the directions on the product you bought... literacy is a wonderful thing!)

"Unreplenished ILFORD RAPID FIXER working
strength solutions should last for up to:-
6 months in full tightly capped bottles
2 months in a tank or dish/tray with a floating lid
1 month in a half full tightly capped bottle.
7 days in an open dish/tray."

These, of course, are conservative manufacturer's recommendations. You may be able to store solutions longer in ideal conditions. The best way to check fixer activity is with a clip test. Test a scrap of film in fresh fixer and note the time it takes to clear. Compare that to the stored fixer. If more than twice the original time, toss the fix. (The same applies for determining the capacity of a working solution).

Don't just guess; there's enough information here and elsewhere (like Ilford's site) that you can use best practice easily.

Best,

Doremus Scudder

www.DoremusScudder.com

 

[scinysnaps]

From Ilford (probably exactly the same as came with the directions on the product you bought... literacy is a wonderful thing!)

HAHAHA
thanks and good one..!
I am too old to read the tiny print on the labels and I hate the sticky layers.
I have a 24 inch monitor, so it's easier to read what you folks post!

Cheers

 

[dancqu]

Quote Un-Quote -- Next to Worthless Information

"Unreplenished ILFORD RAPID FIXER working
strength solutions should last for up to:-
6 months in full tightly capped bottles
2 months in a tank or dish/tray with a floating lid
1 month in a half full tightly capped bottle.
7 days in an open dish/tray."

Doremus Scudder

Fresh out of the bottle concentrate cut to working
strength and unused? Used? How much used? How
many times in and out of the bottle. How much in
the tray? And a few other factors that do effect
a fixer's remaining capacity.

I suggest taking the above Ilford guidlines as only
a starting point. Keep notes of your own experience.

If one establishes the minimal of chemistry needed
to thoroughly meet certain needs and plans ahead
then fixer need only last one session. I've done
that and do plan ahead. I like fresh fix to
start then be done with it. No testing,
no in and out of the bottle. Dan

 

[ericdan]

What about the concentrate. How long does that last once it's been opened?
Have a 1 liter bottle of Ilford Rapid Fixer which I opened 8 months ago to mix up working solution.
Remainder still in original bottle plus some air I guess.
the working solution was still fine when I used it this week. I assume the concentrate should then be no problem?!

 

[pentaxuser]

What about the concentrate. How long does that last once it's been opened?
Have a 1 liter bottle of Ilford Rapid Fixer which I opened 8 months ago to mix up working solution.
Remainder still in original bottle plus some air I guess.
the working solution was still fine when I used it this week. I assume the concentrate should then be no problem?!

I'd assume the same.

pentaxuser