I'm contemplating a switch from SS daylight tanks I've been using to dip&dunk tank w/ racks. I have a good work flow w/ hand tanks, and at this point get clean film, but the hand tank's limit, of course, is the quantity that can be run in a batch. I'm bringing this up here b/c if I make a switch, I'd really appreciate to hear from those that have done the same, or who work w/ larger tanks. Both as far as equipment that works, and also processes differences so I don't have to relearn the voodoo of getting clean film.
Right now I use 8 reel SS tanks, running 6 up 35mm or 3 up 120. It works well, but is excruciatingly slow w/ that capacity if I shoot much film.
The large tanks I have my eyes on are the Arkay 81-8R (2 gallon) w/ the arkay 81-8rr rack (holds 18 up 35mm or 9 up 120). It seems like a nice compromise btwn size of batched and amount of chemicals.
Anyone here use this set up or something similar? If so how you have it set up, how many tanks, etc. I'd guess 3 tanks. Dev, fix, hypo. For presoak and rinses after dev and fix I haven't figured out; maybe rubbermade tubs (I don't have running water in this room, so that water has to be set)
I tend to use developers as one shot, but they're diluted liquid developers, so I don't mind mixing two gallon batches at the time. I'd imagine I'd store my fixer and hypo in 1 gallon jugs so I could water bath it to temp in a sink before...as I don't have $ or space for a water sleeve for the SS tanks. So I'd break down and set up the line as needed, for now.
Also, I'm curious about, w/ a rack that big and reels, how different agitation is. I know the procedure for sheet film on racks, lift and tilt. Same w/ racks?
Would love to hear experiences. My fear is that in solving the problem of efficiency I'm going to create 25 new problems in procedure/quality.
Thanks in advance.