Tiny particles in XT-3 after a day

[photonaro]

I started using XT-3 (1 liter) a couple of years ago after having used X-tol (5 liters) for many years regularly.
I never had issues with X-tol, but switched because of the convenience of the 1 liter solutions.

Every time I mix a fresh solution of XT-3 I notice already 1 day later tiny particles building up in the solution.
When I developed films without filtering the solution through pantyhose, they came out with tiny specks (so the tiny particles influence the development).
When I develop films with totally fresh solution just mixed, they turn out fine.

I've been having this issue with XT-3 every time, with varying production batches of the powder.
I mix and store the solutions exactly the same way I did with X-tol, same location, same water, same sealed glass bottles. X-tol used to stay fresh and clean for at least 6 months.

Has anybody else had issues with XT-3?
Any ideas where this can come from, considering it never happened with X-tol?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[Sanug]

I use XT-3 regulary since 2 years. Mix as a 2:1 concentrate with 500ml water instead 1 litre. Fill it in some 50ml glass bottles to avoid oxidation. I never had any issue.

Maybe you have an issue with your water. I would try to avoid the issue by using a different water source and filtering the solution.

Another idea: At which temperature do you store the solution? Maybe it is too cold?

 

[koraks]

ADOX XT-3 (beautiful) "sparkles" in solution

Hello This is not the first time I see that, and I wonder what it is. This XT-3 1 liter stock has 2 weeks, and is stored in 4 x 250 glass bottles, filled up the cap. It’s just like small glitter dusts, sparks or crystal needles that dissolve slowly (for eyes, not sure at molecular level)...

www.photrio.com

This might be of interest.

 

[photonaro]

Thanks a lot for your replies and for the link to the other thread.
What the OP there describes is precisely the same phenomenon that I'm encountering, in all details but the water - I use tap water.
I will try changing the water and if that doesn't work then I'll change bottles and see.

I mix at a temperature of around 24c and store in brown glass bottles at around 20c. I think that should be fine, shouldn't it?

 

[koraks]

Yes, temperatures sound fine, I don't see how that could be a problem save perhaps for some of the material not easily going into solution at such a low temperature. When I mix my DIY Instant Mytol I start with fairly hot water to dissolve the borax, which otherwise would go into solution only very slowly and with difficulty. I don't know, however, what the composition of XT-3 is precisely and whether the same concern applies.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Thanks a lot for your replies and for the link to the other thread.
What the OP there describes is precisely the same phenomenon that I'm encountering, in all details but the water - I use tap water.
I will try changing the water and if that doesn't work then I'll change bottles and see.

I mix at a temperature of around 24c and store in brown glass bottles at around 20c. I think that should be fine, shouldn't it?

I've never had after-mix particle problems with either Xtol or XT-3, but I use much, much warmer distilled water when I make my batches. I also use a large stainless steel bowl on a magnetic hotplate stirrer with a longish mixing time. I don't know if that's the proper procedure or not, but it works very well for me.
I'd bet the problem is that maybe one chemical additive in these developers likes hotter water (maybe distilled is important) and slightly longer mixing times to go into solution. I'm going to stick with the way I do it until it doesn't work anymore. "If it ain't broke, don't fix It", is my policy

 

[photonaro]

Yes, temperatures sound fine, I don't see how that could be a problem save perhaps for some of the material not easily going into solution at such a low temperature. When I mix my DIY Instant Mytol I start with fairly hot water to dissolve the borax, which otherwise would go into solution only very slowly and with difficulty. I don't know, however, what the composition of XT-3 is precisely and whether the same concern applies.

I think XT-3 is supposed to be borate-free (I'm not a chemist, but a quick google search says borax to be a type of borate).
The temperature range noted on the XT-3 packages is 20-27/29c, so I'm suppose to be within the range, and most people don't have issue with this.. so I'm guessing it must be something else in the process..

I've never had after-mix particle problems with either Xtol or XT-3, but I use much, much warmer distilled water when I make my batches. I also use a large stainless steel bowl on a magnetic hotplate stirrer with a longish mixing time. I don't know if that's the proper procedure or not, but it works very well for me.
I'd bet the problem is that maybe one chemical additive in these developers likes hotter water (maybe distilled is important) and slightly longer mixing times to go into solution. I'm going to stick with the way I do it until it doesn't work anymore. "If it ain't broke, don't fix It", is my policy

Around which temperature are you using for this?
The temperature range noted on the XT-3 packages is 20-27/29c, so I'm suppose to be within the range, and most people don't have issue with this.. so I'm guessing it must be something else in the process..


I'm mixing another batch tomorrow and I'll do it with distilled water. If that doesn't help, I'll try next time using different bottles. And if that doesn't work, I'll go on to warmer water and longer dissolving time. Or maybe I'll switch the order of these steps. In any case, hopefully somewhere along the way the problem will resolve. I'll update here with any positive results. Thanks all of you for your tips and thoughts!