What do I need to be aware of when making my own fixer?

john_s

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About 60ml/l of 25% Ammonia raises pH of Ilford Rapid Fixer to ~7.

That looks like the ideal way to achieve a somewhat less acidic fixer, adding ammonium ions instead of sodium ions. I wouldn't need to go all the way up to pH7. The only ammonia I've seen for sale retail around here is cloudy ammonia which I think contains detergent, but I notice that "Clear Ammonia" can be sourced from cleaning suppliers.
 
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pkr1979

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As I understand this:

from @Rudeofus , neutral fixer might be what Im after. As my main intention of making my own fixer was shelf life... I get that these fixers are good for both Pyrocat developed films and 'regular' developed films, and paper then? As long as I use a stop bath... can this stop bath be plain water or shold this be a regular stop bath (I assume so)? Furthermore, if all this is the case, this is sold close by and I suppose it would serve my needs: https://tetenal.com/en/homepage/103067/superfix-odourless-1-l

Cheers
Peter
 

john_s

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.... As long as I use a stop bath... can this stop bath be plain water or should this be a regular stop bath (I assume so)?...
Peter
There is a 1000 post thread about stop baths. Your answer will be in there (somewhere).
FWIW, I use an acid stop for paper, just water for film, and neutral fixer for everything.
 
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pkr1979

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There is a 1000 post thread about stop baths. Your answer will be in there (somewhere).
FWIW, I use an acid stop for paper, just water for film, and neutral fixer for everything.

Thanks - Im aware of the acid/water stop bath discussions going on. In this case I was in particular curios on what kind to use with neutral fixers... (I guess those discussions might include those though). Anyway - I suppose you answered my question.
 

Rudeofus

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I have very little experience with staining developers, so I dare not comment on that. And yes, this Tetenal Superfix Odorless product appears to aim at pH 6.5, which is right there where it should be. If you have the rare use case for alkaline fixer, you can always start with neutral fixer and add Ammonia solution.
 
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