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What Water Filters should I use in my darkroom?

MingMingPhoto

Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2018
Messages
389
Location
New York City
Format
35mm
Hi all,

So I'm having issues with what I believe is my water filtration system. I'm getting sediment on all my film once it dries (on the emulsion side, not the shiny side)

I'd like to filter all the water, especially the hot water since I'm doing C41 film developing in additon to bnw and E6.

What types of filters should I get for both my hot water and cold water lines? And if Ishould get multiples on the same line, what order should I put them in? ex: Carbon filter first, then sediment filter rated for 10 micron etc. ty!
 
I've got the same problem over here in San Diego. I see that no one responded to your inquiry on here but did you ever get any answers from other sources? Do you still have the same issue?
 
Hi!!
So I didn't get anything but I called a few labs in my city. I have a typical 10" filter for both my hot and cold (yes they do make hot water filters, the one I have is red and if you need me to link it directly I will but not rn. I think I got it from "Kleen Water" though). Make sure it's 20 microns or smaller (bigger number is better, but will have to be replaced more often. And while you're at it, fitler your shwoer water and drinking water with the same filters but also add charcol filters and all the other facny ones casue got damn shit is so dutty
 
If it were me, after what would be the final wash with tap water before the stabilizer I would do a soak in distilled water, total 60 seconds, 30 seconds with agitation then let soak for 30 seconds, then stabilizer, then hang to dry.
 

That's really helpful, thank you. I'll PM you for details if you don't mind. I've been struggling with lots of issues from the water in my place so I'm excited to find a good resolution.

Perhaps direct messaging is not an option, I can't figure out how to do it.
 
I've used 'Paterson water filters', which are well priced and available on ebay dot com.

Also, I have read about a lot of people having good success with Brita type water filter jugs.

As mentioned, either use water from above or use distilled water as the last rinse and you should have clean negatives, after they have dried.

Terry S
 
Thank you everyone.

I ended up getting a basic 10 inch ge water filter from home depot and also a hot water 10in filter from Kleenwater .com and put 20 micron filters in both. The negatives began coming out super clean and I us it for the entire process so I don't ruin my machine.
 
I edited the thread title because, well, because with the original title I always thought of the wrong type of filter every time the thread came up!
 
I used to use 2 coffee filters together and filter all my water that was used to mix chemicals or develop film. Worked great. Don't use anything for prints. Now I use a wash aid similar to photo flo w/ the negs for a 30 second soak, a wash in the sink, and spritz the negs w/ distilled water when they're hanging to dry.

If your film (or print) dries too fast that's another problem, so I always run the shower for a while before hanging things. Humidity is your friend w/ this. RC and FB prints are done the same way, and hung by 1 corner in a humid bathroom.
 
You may have missed the fact that this is in the Colour Film, Paper and Chemistry sub-forum, and that the OP is operating a small volume lab.
 
Good news!!
 
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