Source for 5 litre glass bottles? OR would I be better off with plastic?

streetshot · Nov 14, 2010

I've combed these forums looking for posts without luck. I'm trying to locate a source of supply for 5 litre glass bottles to store C-41 chemistry and it appears this size is simply not available.

That said, perhaps I would be better served by some kind of plastic container though I resist this option because of oxidation issues.

Thanks in advance for any and all input!

Best,

Michael

ann · Nov 14, 2010

you might try a Container Store, that is where i got some gallong size glass jugs, plastic may be easier to fine. In fact I may have one at the lab, but won't be going in until next week some time as we are between sessions.

Ian Grant · Nov 14, 2010

2.5 litre plastic or glass would be far better than a 5 litre bottle. I don't remember ever seeing 5 litre or 1 gallon glass bottle, although demijohns were once used for bulk chemistry and are still used for home wine making.

Ian

ann · Nov 14, 2010

ian, too bad your so far away or i would send along some 1 gallon bottles. We always used glass until it became harder to find due to regulations about glass containers in labs.

Ian Grant · Nov 14, 2010

ann said:
ian, too bad your so far away or i would send along some 1 gallon bottles. We always used glass until it became harder to find due to regulations about glass containers in labs.

Thanks Ann. You know I'd struggle to use US Gallon bottles as it's a non standard measure

I have a car boot (trunk) full - over 30 - of Demijohns (Imperial gallon) if anyone needs some and some brand new 2.5 litre brown bottles.

Fuji sold chemistry in demijohns in the late 1950's and early 60's.

Ian

PhotoJim · Nov 14, 2010

What's wrong with using a pair of 2.5-litre bottles instead of a single 5-litre bottle?

Jerevan · Nov 14, 2010

A five litre glass bottle full with chemicals ... imagine slipping the grip on that beauty.

photoncatcher · Nov 14, 2010

How many do you need? I'm pretty sure a have a few galon size brown glass bottles in my basement. PM me, and I'll let you know for sure.

Bruce Watson · Nov 14, 2010

streetshot said:
I've combed these forums looking for posts without luck. I'm trying to locate a source of supply for 5 litre glass bottles to store C-41 chemistry and it appears this size is simply not available.

It's probably not a normal size. And if it were, it would be quite heavy.

Best I've found is old wine bottles -- restaurants throw out dozens every day and are usually quite happy to have your help in recycling. I like the 1.5 and 1.0 liter sizes for chem storage. To close them I like the VacuVin vacuum stoppers. Hard to image doing any better for darkroom chem storage.

sepiareverb · Nov 14, 2010

Head to your local college and ask the chemical safety officer. I've gotten two beautiful 5L brown glass bottles that way which held something they used pretty regularly. Just make sure you get the lids too.

Ian Grant · Nov 14, 2010

You're right Bruce, I've been involved in photography for over 40 years and also run a laboratory and in all that time I've never seen any 5 litre glass bottle, the old UK size was a Winchester close to 2.5 litres.

I have seen and in fact own larger glass containers but aside from wine demijohns they are always in a cage of some description. Ilford supplied chemistry in large returnable glass containers as well as Winchesters until some time in the 1960's when they switched to plastic.

Ian

BetterSense · Nov 14, 2010

Common boxed wine comes in 5L cubitainers. They make very good containers for storing chemistry too, if you don't have to be able to put the chemistry back in the container after using it.

streetshot · Nov 14, 2010

All good suggestions here. By way of further background, I've been using 1.2 gallon glass jugs for 20+ years in my darkroom...I use them for everything - developers, fixers, you name it. Now comes a set of C-41 chemistry from Trebla all of which mixes to 5 litres...all of them. I think the best option is to find a plastic alternative and run with that.

And thanks for all your help!!!

Michael

tbeaman · Nov 16, 2010

Pickles (et cetera) come in gallon jars. Would those work?

markbarendt · Nov 16, 2010

streetshot said:
All good suggestions here. By way of further background, I've been using 1.2 gallon glass jugs for 20+ years in my darkroom...I use them for everything - developers, fixers, you name it. Now comes a set of C-41 chemistry from Trebla all of which mixes to 5 litres...all of them. I think the best option is to find a plastic alternative and run with that.

And thanks for all your help!!!

Michael

I use the Trebla kit too.

I don't mix up the whole thing at once, simply mix and replenish as I go.

pcyco · Nov 16, 2010

hallo

i use the 5 liter conteainers where demineralised water is sold at supermarkets.
perfect for xtol. only mix it up inside and ready.
when it tends to 1 liter i use a 1 liter bottle for the storage.

i realy think that sometimes we want to be better than the best

analog greetings

thomas

Murray Kelly · Nov 16, 2010

Nobody has mentioned the wine cask bladders. They come in 2 - 4 - 5 - 20 litre sizes and the air is easily expelled with them on their back so's no oxygen is there to spoil your fun!

Keeps for ages (like years). The plastic is mylar I believe and the opacity stops light getting into the act. Keep them in the cupboard anyway.

As a desperate act one could even ditch the wine. Aaarggghhh!

In our house they are available very often. Since they weigh next to nothing the postage would be minimal.

Murray

Grif · Nov 16, 2010

I mix in a large SS stock pot, and store in 1 liter bottles. But then I one shot, or single session everything except fix.

Source for 5 litre glass bottles? OR would I be better off with plastic?

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