Recycled chemical containers

[kully]

I'm much too tight to buy specific photo chemical containers and have been using old mineral water bottles, however these are quite flimsy and I want something bigger to mix up and keep the US gallon (3.8l) D76 powder packs in.

I've got an empty 5l (concentrate) screenwash container and soon a 4l squash container which are very sturdy.

As much as I clean the screenwash container I can't get the smell out of it and was wondering whether this would effect the D76/Hypo-clear that I would keep in there.

cheers in advance,
kully

 

[bsdunek]

I'd be afraid to use a plastic container that had strong chemicles in it. Plastic absorbs things easily and may contaminate your photo chemicles.

I mix gallon lots in well cleaned milk jugs. After allowing the mix to sit a day or so to complete disolving, I store it in neat looking glass 'adult beverage' containers. There are some neat looking 750ml containers, so darkroom visitors always get a kick out of my storage.

If you want glass, which is the best, check some home wine making suppliers. I know you have to buy them, but you only need a few. An example would be: http://www.homebrewit.com/aisle/3030 😎

 

[Murray Kelly]

Consider storing it in a wine cask bladder. They are made from mylar - multilayered and coated with a light impervious layer.

I lay the empty and rinsed box/ bag on its back and pull off the rubber spiggot. Pour in the solution and replace the rubber spiggot. Push a rod (ruler or something ) in the hole in the box at the top (now the end) and release the spiggot until all the air is out.

Now, as the developer is used, the bag collapses and no air enters. Bonus - keep it in the garage fridge (well labelled!) and it will last for ages.

Murray

 

[tritiated]

Do you make up the whole 3.8 l stock solution in one go?
You can get Jerricans with various volumes at various places (eg. the outdoor shop(s), Fisher) for fairly cheap ~ a fiver.
They are HDPE and have good chemical resistance. Plus are semi translucent - prevents some light transmission. I expect it is also advantageous that they don;t look like pop bottles.. although they should of course be properly labelled to prevent incidents!

 

[nikon_sam]

I keep my Fixer in a plastic gallon jug that had "Iced Tea" in it...it sits in a dark closet unless I'm using it...
I have my D-76 stock solution in a very old "Cough Syrup" gallon bottle (brown glass)
If you can find some of these old gallon bottles they are the best way to store your chemicals...
If you do recycle an old juice bottle make sure you label it using a big marker...

 

[rbiemer]

Re-using any food/beverage container for chemicals is something I'd strongly recommend against. Aside from the possible contamination of your chemicals, there is a (small, perhaps) risk of some one else ingesting the stuff. The consequences of that small risk could be dire. Not something I'd chance.
Can I mail you a couple of these:
http://www.adorama.com/DKBG.html?
Rob

 

[kully]

Rob, That's exactly what I need (and the price is nice too 🙂 )

But getting that to the UK is going to make it super-expenive, I'll look out for something similar here (it's a shame the US gallon is 3.8l and the imperial gallon 4.54l, it leaves some space on top).

I agree with you on the dangers of someone ingesting the chemicals - I mark large skull&crossbones all over the bottles.