slime in perma wash

arnie k · Jul 29, 2017

After one use, 12 11x14 inch prints in a gallon of perma wash, the next time I go to use the PW I find slime floating in the solution. It it gray green and looks like dead skin. I suspect it may be residual from slime that develops in my washer but I do try to keep the washer clean. I periodically wash the washer and its partitions and allow it to completely air dry after each use. I also only use one tray for the perma wash to avoid contamination. Any ideas as to what causes the slime in the perma wash? Thanks.

Down Under · Jul 29, 2017

I too have had this curious effect, with citric acid baths (which I use occasionally for rinsing prints) and Ilford Ridfix if I use these mixtures and leave them in open trays for longer than two day. With the citric acid bath I sometimes have to clean the tray, or some sort of fungus or mold grows.

Not being a chemist (I failed chemistry three years in a row in high school), I don't know the answer to your query, but I'm also very interested.

I hope others who are more chemistry-qualified to explain the whys, whatfors and wherefores of all this, will respond.

Photo Engineer · Jul 29, 2017

Don't use Perma Wash. That is the easiest solution to the problem.

PE

Down Under · Jul 29, 2017

Or citric acid?

As PE is (probably) following this thread, may I take the opoportunity to ask, where do you stand on the use of a sodium sulfite solution to remove fixer in prints and film?

If you have already addressed this topic, apologies-I will play with the search engine later and see what I find.

darkroommike · Jul 29, 2017

Photo Engineer said:
Don't use Perma Wash. That is the easiest solution to the problem.

PE

And if you must use it, don't reuse it. We use it at school because I'm not in charge of the purchasing.

drpsilver · Jul 30, 2017

29 July 2017

Photo Engineer & darkroommike:

I have never observed the aforementioned "slime". However, I have always used Perma Wash as "one-shot".
I am interested in your reason(s) for not using Perma Wash. What do you recommend as a wash aid (after fix and quick wash) to reduce final wash time?

Regards,
Darwin

hacked - sepiareverb · Jul 30, 2017

Permawash should be used once, then dumped.

jvo · Jul 30, 2017

i've used permawash for years, never had slime, i've also never used it as a one shot wash aid - why not use as directed?

RalphLambrecht · Jul 30, 2017

arnie k said:
After one use, 12 11x14 inch prints in a gallon of perma wash, the next time I go to use the PW I find slime floating in the solution. It it gray green and looks like dead skin. I suspect it may be residual from slime that develops in my washer but I do try to keep the washer clean. I periodically wash the washer and its partitions and allow it to completely air dry after each use. I also only use one tray for the perma wash to avoid contamination. Any ideas as to what causes the slime in the perma wash? Thanks.

add 1g of photo calvin and the slime will be gone.

Photo Engineer · Jul 30, 2017

drpsilver said:
29 July 2017

Photo Engineer & darkroommike:

I have never observed the aforementioned "slime". However, I have always used Perma Wash as "one-shot".
I am interested in your reason(s) for not using Perma Wash. What do you recommend as a wash aid (after fix and quick wash) to reduce final wash time?

Regards,
Darwin

Perma Wash is not needed. Washing can be done completely using manufacturers instructions. These "wash aids" were a rather "recent" invention. Washing was done quite well before they came along.

PE

removed account4 · Jul 30, 2017

sepiareverb said:
Permawash should be used once, then dumped.

+1

RalphLambrecht · Jul 31, 2017

RalphLambrecht said:
add 1g of photo calvin and the slime will be gone.

sorry, I meant 'photo calgon'aka EDTA.

AgX · Jul 31, 2017

Such slime means growth of microrganism. I do not see how EDTA could interfere with that.

Anon Ymous · Jul 31, 2017

AgX said:
Such slime means growth of microrganism. I do not see how EDTA could interfere with that.

Some wash aids contain citrates and these might contribute to such growth?

AgX · Jul 31, 2017

Exactly, plus possible gelatin residues out of the emulsion.

slime in perma wash

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