Developer Storage Woes

[theshotsofwhiskey]

Hey Everyone,

I've been perusing these boards for a while, but I just started developing again and I have a question on storing stock developer.

I know there's a lot of information on this already, but it kind of comes down to station setup and workflow, and it's nice to see what others do.

I mix a 1 gallon bag of D-76 and then separate it into four 1 liter, brown jugs. I use a 2 reel developing tank, so 1:1, I get about 3 tanks of developer per liter of stock.

After the first use off a liter bottle, I use marbles to top it off. Unless I want a jar 1/2 to 3/4 full of marbles, I'm going to have developer exposed to air for a bit.

My question is am I worrying too much about this? I probably develop 2 rolls a week. So, through this process, I may have a developer sitting low in a bottle for a week or two. Does anyone see any problems coming from this?

Thanks in advance!

 

[venchka]

I don't. But I store Xtol in a 3 liter wine bladder in the 'fridge. It kept a lot longer than a few weeks.
That said, my last bladder sprung a leak in 'fridge. I'm going back to Rodinal and adding HC110 and Pyrocat in Glycol to my arsenal. No worries about the shelf life of those developers.
Also, you can always exhale a deep breath of carbon dioxide into the bottle of developer. Or get some 1/2 liter bottles to use as you deplete the liter bottles. Store in a cool, dark place. Hence, my use of the 'fridge for Xtol.
Cheers!

wayne

 

[theshotsofwhiskey]

I like the bladder idea. I think you're right though; I should just break that 1 liter down to smaller bottles. That way I wouldn't have to worry if I go out of town for a week, or get busy and just have that dev sit there.

The CO2 idea intrigues me. I'm gonna check that out too. Thanks!

 

[Roger Hicks]

CO2 can affect pH. Inert gas is a better idea.

Cheers,

R.

 

[mwoenv]

According to the D76 data sheet, stock solution can be stored in a half-filled tightly-stoppered bottle for 2 months (a full, tightly-stoppered bottle for 6 months).