Shelf Life if Rapid Fixer

Hensol woods

Hensol woods

  • 0
  • 0
  • 23
Harbour at dusk

A
Harbour at dusk

  • 0
  • 0
  • 24
blossum in the night

D
blossum in the night

  • 1
  • 0
  • 36
Brown crested nuthatch

A
Brown crested nuthatch

  • 2
  • 1
  • 58

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
198,715
Messages
2,779,733
Members
99,685
Latest member
alanbarker
Recent bookmarks
1

scinysnaps

Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2008
Messages
58
Format
Medium Format
How long does a 1:4 solution of Ilford Rapid fixer last?
I have it stored in a dark plastic bottle..
 

Ian Grant

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
23,262
Location
West Midland
Format
Multi Format
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
 

photomem

Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2009
Messages
624
Format
Medium Format
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

Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2006
Messages
1,882
Location
OH
Format
35mm
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

Subscriber
Joined
Nov 17, 2007
Messages
1,413
Location
Stratford-up
Format
4x5 Format
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

Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2008
Messages
3,661
Location
Greece
Format
35mm
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

Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2002
Messages
3,649
Location
Willamette V
Format
Medium Format
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
 
Joined
Sep 10, 2002
Messages
3,586
Location
Eugene, Oregon
Format
4x5 Format
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
 
OP
OP
scinysnaps

scinysnaps

Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2008
Messages
58
Format
Medium Format
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

Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2002
Messages
3,649
Location
Willamette V
Format
Medium Format
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

Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2014
Messages
1,359
Location
Tokyo
Format
35mm RF
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

Member
Joined
May 9, 2005
Messages
19,916
Location
Daventry, No
Format
35mm
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
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom