How long do fixers last? 2 months?

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How long do fixers last? 2 months?

I'm using the ilford rapid fixer, and while I was developing my very first roll, I dumped the remains back into the original fixer... Should I dump it out next time? And use the same one twice?
 
You can use fixer over and over. Mix it 1+4; good for at least 20 rolls. My last batch I used for at least a year (I don't shoot much film).

If you use 35mm, keep the cut off leader to use to test the fixer when you think it as the end of its life. Double the clearing time. If it doesn't clear, time for a new batch.
 
I keep on reusing it until the clearing time becomes excessive.
To check it's still good, after filling the film tank with fixer , I drop an off cut of the undeveloped film in the top of the tank. After a couple of minutes it should go clear. Fix for twice this time.
 
My fix is Ilford rapid mixed to 5L and kept in a sealed bottle. I keep track of when it was mixed and how many rolls have gone through it. I will fix for 6 maybe 8 weeks (depending on throughput) or 60 rolls, whichever comes first. Time 7 for first 20 then 8 for 20 then 10 for the last 20. (TomA RIP) was happy with the same regime.
Sometimes more "gunk" accumulates than is good and it gets an early retirement, never worth filtering fix, it also varies with films. For some reason if I run Acros with say Tri-X the Acros acts like a magnet for particles while the Tri-X remains largely free in the same tank. I run Acros in fresh, if I remember.
You can easily test clearing time but I'd rather be fixing than testing it's boring enough and above has never shown any image deterioration. I just re-scanned a half plate negative from 40 years back and it could have been dried that morning.

15183330283_27f7788f7e_c.jpg


The lens is dated 1904 BTW with Waterhouse stops.
 
I mix three liters at a time, keep it in a brown plastic jug, and use it for four to six months. This has worked for me for Sprint and Heico chemicals, so I don't see why Ilford should be any different. I do two to four rolls of 35mm a week. When we were shooting film at work, it could be 10 rolls a week. Throwing it out before that was wasteful.
 
Like most people, mine gets reused. It goes back into the big plastic gallon jug of stock solution after I have used it. It will last a loooong time if stored properly (at least the rapid fixer I use does). You can use hypo to ck it, but a clip test w/ a bit of film leader is more reliable in my opinion. For printing on fiber based papers, I always go w/ fresh fixer. If you have any doubts about your fixer or if it looks or smells funny, throw it out and mix up a fresh batch.
 
I've heard of people doing this,. But never tried myself.

I just make 500ml of working solution from the concentrate and replace as it loses strength.
 
Opps! Looks like the ratio is 1+4... So for 293ml in total, how much water and fixer should I use?
Also after using it, should I just dump it? As I use a lot less fixer
 
I just mix up a liter at 1+4 for film, that's enough to last at least 20 rolls of 35mm (or until the clearing time becomes too long).

I save up my "exhausted" fixer in a large plastic jerrycan and have it disposed off through the proper channels once it's full. Dumping fixer into the environment is a rather big no-no around her.
 
1+4 should do you quite a few rolls.

you really shouldn't be dumping fresh fixer. Its not great for the environment. I won't do the finger wagging hippy dippy save the planet rhetoric though.

I also dump my fixer, but I make sure its as far used up as possible. Still not great but makes me feel better about it.

Just mix 1+4 for 300ml. Don't get caught up on 293ml. just do 75ml of fixer concentrate and 225 of water, preferably distilled.
 
Mr_Flibble said:
I just mix up a liter at 1+4 for film, that's enough to last at least 20 rolls of 35mm (or until the clearing time becomes too long).

I save up my "exhausted" fixer in a large plastic jerrycan and have it disposed off through the proper channels once it's full. Dumping fixer into the environment is a rather big no-no around her.
Click to expand...

Funny, my Foma rapid fixer label says 1+5, but like most people here I do 1+4. One time I got 8 months out of it, but another time it went dead on me. Now I do a maximum of 17 films or 6 mos, which ever comes first.
 
Ahh thanks 🙂 so 75ml of fixer and 225ml of water. Do I pour it back into a new container? If so, for the second time I'll pour it into the same container as I did for the first one right?
 
Juxusfanitc, In a 1 liter new bottle mix 200ML fixer + 800ML Water. Use what you need for a tank to process 1 or 2 rolls.
You can use this for up to 20 rolls. Dump the used fixer back in the 1 Liter bottle. After a couple of months put some in a tray/container and slip in a piece of film leader. If it turns clear your fixer is still usable.

You can also use the 1 liter bottle of diluted fixer for printing if you wish. Up to equivalent of 40 8x10 sheets. I put a piece of blue painters tape on my diluted fixer bottle and keep count of film and paper processed.

Ilford Rapid fixer undiluted will keep well for at least a year in its own bottle. Longer if you can put it in smaller bottles with no air.
 
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