Volume needed to fill 8 reel capacity Paterson tank

[ymc226]

I just ordered an 8 reel (35mm) capacity tank but there is no description that states how much developer/fixer it needs when fully loaded.

I use 1500cc for the 5 reel tank.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

The usual rule for me is I use about 8 ounces per 35mm reel. If my conversions are correct is about 237ml per reel. Multiply that by 8 it's about 1.9 liters.

 

[hrst]

Measure it by pouring water until the reels are covered and then measure the water volume.

 

[jerry lebens]

It should be marked on the base of the tank.

 

[Jon Shiu]

If 300ml per reel, then 2400ml for 8 reels.

Jon

 

[ann]

it is on the bottom of the tank. 10oz per reel

 

[ymc226]

Thanks everyone. 2.4L sounds right. I will verify once I get the tank. This lets me do 5 120 rolls at once so will save me alot of time.

 

[ann]

check the bottom of the tank as 120 may be different than 35, i just don't remember 120

 

[PhotoJim]

300 mL per roll, 2.4L total if full, is what I use.

 

[fschifano]

I'm assuming you mean the Patterson System 4 tanks. I've just checked my 2 reel tanks. 35mm needs 290 ml, so we'll call it 300. 120 needs 500 ml. The higher capacity tanks are the same diameter only taller, and the fluid requirements per roll should be more or less the same. Figure 2.5L for 5 120 rolls or 2.4L for 8 35mm rolls. There's no way you're going to get away with using twist agitation with that much film and fluid in the tank, so you'll need to invert it. Count on at least a bit of leakage, so use a bit more fluid than the minimum requirement so the top reel isn't left high and dry. I know that these tanks are quick to fill, but even so, that's a lot of fluid and could take some time to fill.. You might want to consider filling the tank and dropping the spindle with the reels into an already full tank.

 

[PhotoJim]

Agreed, definitely don't use the twist "agitator", which was never intended for agitation anyway - it's intended to help rid the reels and tank of air bells.

Inversion agitation is the way to go.

It takes about 30 seconds to drain and fill the tank if it's full of film, by the way.

I use mine occasionally but have good success with it. If I have a big backlog of film it helps me to catch up (as long as I have a bunch of film of the same type and intend to give it the same processing).

 

[ymc226]

I'm assuming you mean the Patterson System 4 tanks. I've just checked my 2 reel tanks. 35mm needs 290 ml, so we'll call it 300. 120 needs 500 ml. The higher capacity tanks are the same diameter only taller, and the fluid requirements per roll should be more or less the same. Figure 2.5L for 5 120 rolls or 2.4L for 8 35mm rolls. There's no way you're going to get away with using twist agitation with that much film and fluid in the tank, so you'll need to invert it. Count on at least a bit of leakage, so use a bit more fluid than the minimum requirement so the top reel isn't left high and dry. I know that these tanks are quick to fill, but even so, that's a lot of fluid and could take some time to fill.. You might want to consider filling the tank and dropping the spindle with the reels into an already full tank.

Thanks Frank,

I do "pre-fill" my 5 reel tanks now so I definitely will do for the 8 reel tanks. Being able to do 5 120 film at a time, and even more with semi-stand or stand developent to have several tanks going at once will be a luxury.