jc48375
Changstein
Where would I find a 5-litre container for the Xtol developer? The most common size close to it is a gallon, which is one quart short of 5 litres..
Xtold only seems to only come in that size - please advise - thanks
Xtold only seems to only come in that size - please advise - thanks
sepiareverb
genius and moron
5 1 Liter bottles? That’s wat I used to do when I used it. You’d have a hard time keeping it good in a giant bottle.
I’d mix in a bucket and then decant.
I’d mix in a bucket and then decant.
Larry Cloetta
Veteran
https://www.amazon.com/Wine-Homebre...=1515601882&sr=1-4&keywords=5+liter+wine+bags
I use the Scholle version of these, which they don't seem to make any longer, and it seemed the perfect solution. Completely durable, at least the Scholle ones, which just had a regular screw cap. Light tight. Take what you need out, compress all the residual air out up to the level of the opening, cover with Bloxygen if you like, and, unless my eyes deceived me, you can get XTOL to last like just mixed for up to a year, though I have not tried it longer than that.
I use the Scholle version of these, which they don't seem to make any longer, and it seemed the perfect solution. Completely durable, at least the Scholle ones, which just had a regular screw cap. Light tight. Take what you need out, compress all the residual air out up to the level of the opening, cover with Bloxygen if you like, and, unless my eyes deceived me, you can get XTOL to last like just mixed for up to a year, though I have not tried it longer than that.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I use either Diet 7-UP bottles, 1/2 liter, or half-liter beer bottles for which i have corks. The latter are dark brown, a plus for storage life. The green color of the 7-Up bottles is probably less effective against light. Five liters is hard to use up in a reasonable time, though!
capitalK
Warrior Poet :P
The way I do it is a little unconventional, but it works.
You're supposed to mix the A packet with 5L of water and then mix the B packet with the other half of the water and then combine, making 10L total.
Instead, I buy a 10L bottle of distilled water, add and mix the A packet to the whole thing and then add the B packet and mix.
It's not what you're supposed to do, but it works for me. I have been doing it for years and have not seen any adverse effects.
I usually hold off developing and then do a lot in a short stretch, so I don't worry too much about the developer going bad or being exposed to more oxygen as the bottle empties. It's usually gone before it goes bad.
You could certainly transfer the 10L to smaller bottles to make it last longer.
You're supposed to mix the A packet with 5L of water and then mix the B packet with the other half of the water and then combine, making 10L total.
Instead, I buy a 10L bottle of distilled water, add and mix the A packet to the whole thing and then add the B packet and mix.
It's not what you're supposed to do, but it works for me. I have been doing it for years and have not seen any adverse effects.
I usually hold off developing and then do a lot in a short stretch, so I don't worry too much about the developer going bad or being exposed to more oxygen as the bottle empties. It's usually gone before it goes bad.
You could certainly transfer the 10L to smaller bottles to make it last longer.
jc48375
Changstein
Sincere thanks to all for sharing; I appreciate all the tips you have offered.
Cheers,
Cheers,
mcfingon
Western Australia
I mix the 5 litres in a clean laundry bucket, then fill up 15 cleaned apple sauce bottles (330ml each) from that to give 4950ml. I re-seal the lids with some Glad Wrap. This lasts at least 3 months without going off. I don't believe the tip about making 10 litres from the 5 litres packet is correct.
roscoetuff
Well-known
I mix it up in a 1 gallon gas can (plastic). Every gas can holds more than stated and will hold almost 1-1/2 gallons in this case. You'll be fine. Mixing is easy: Shake the container with the lid on. Then I decant to 5 1-liter containers.
rolfe
Well-known
As others have suggested, mix up in a cheap bucket -- most of the ones in the hardware store are marked in both gallons and liters. Then decant into five of these:
https://www.specialtybottle.com/glass-bottles/amber-boston-rounds/larger-sizes/32oz-bra32
https://www.specialtybottle.com/glass-bottles/amber-boston-rounds/larger-sizes/32oz-bra32
joeswe
Well-known
For mixing I use a simple bucket. Use demin water, Xtol doesn't like iron in the water.
The by far best storage solution for Xtol is a 5 liter wine bag ("bag in box").
The material It is easy to handle and thanks to its oxygen barrier will keep
Xtol fresh for very long time. Unlike other types of containers, when pouring solution from the bag through the spigot, air cannot enter. The solution is always kept airtight wether it is 5 liters or just the last remaining 50cc
I have stored Xtol that way for over a year wihout problems.
The by far best storage solution for Xtol is a 5 liter wine bag ("bag in box").
The material It is easy to handle and thanks to its oxygen barrier will keep
Xtol fresh for very long time. Unlike other types of containers, when pouring solution from the bag through the spigot, air cannot enter. The solution is always kept airtight wether it is 5 liters or just the last remaining 50cc
I have stored Xtol that way for over a year wihout problems.
joeswe
Well-known
No, you're not supposed to do that with a 5 liter pack of Xtol. The final volume is 5 liters, not 5 liters per bag. Reread the instructions.
You dissolve the contents of packet A in 4 liters of water, and after completely dissolving it add part B. After completely dissolving part B, you fill up the remaining amount to the final volume of 5 liters.
capitalK
Warrior Poet :P
I understand that. 10L makes a 1+1 solution.
ptpdprinter
Veteran
So why not just make 5 liters and dilute it (or not) when you use it?
vdonovan
Vince Donovan
Like others, I mix in a plastic bucket and fill five one-liter brown plastic bottles.
Use distilled water and it will last a long time.
Use distilled water and it will last a long time.
capitalK
Warrior Poet :P
I just find it easier when it's ready to pour and use. Like I said, my method is not for everyone but it works for me.
joeswe
Well-known
Besides the practical disadvantages (taking up twice the storage space), diluted developer is less stable and more prone to oxidization than stock solution. There is a reason why Kodak advises against storing it:
http://imaging.kodakalaris.com/sites/uat/files/wysiwyg/pro/chemistry/j109.pdf
Don't get me wrong, I don't mind if you choose to not follow Kodak's recommendations as it seems that it still works for you and you like the results, but please don't give the impression that this is what we're supposed to do.
Renato Tonelli
Member
Freestyle sells a 5 Liter plastic bottle.
joeswe
Well-known
big container/bottle of unspecified "plastic" = worst choice unless you plan to use up all the fiver liter in a couple of weeks
better choice: smaller PET beverage containers (remove all labeling that could lead to confusion about the content and create a potential hazard)
even better choice: smaller glass bottles (with tightly closing caps)
even better choice: 5 liter EVOH lined bag-in-box type wine bag
BLKRCAT
75% Film
Actually, you're supposed to mix packet A in 4L of water, Add one more Litre then mix packet B...
Shelf life will be compromised by pre diluting your developer. Also pushing film with stock solution is now a no go. So you won't be able to take advantage from the benefits of pushing with Xtol. I see literally no benefit to doing this. It's a waste of space, confines you to certain dilutions, and with a developer that's main characteristic is random death, adding another variable to make it die seems too risky.
I'm the same here. A 4L wine bladder will store 5L of developer. Keeps the developer air tight, easy dispensing and out of the light (I reuse the wine box and seal it with tape).
OP another option would be to just not add the last Litre of water. I did this with my very first batch of Xtol a long time ago and the dilutions change but I was able to use a 4L container and better shelf life with the higher concentration. There was a table I found online that helped me with the dilutions.
joeswe
Well-known
Again I can only recommend to read the Kodak instructions carefully. The SOP when dissolving powder chemicals in water is to STIR the solution which when done correctly will not introduce further oxygen into the water and there are very cheap and very effective plastic tools sold for just that purpose.
While shaking the mixing container might seem like an quick'n easy way to help dissolving the stubborn powder, it will also introduce air=oxygen into the solution which could lead to premature oxidization and possible failure. Actually the only time I experienced Xtol going bad prematurely in 10 years of use was when I did exactly this (= shaking the container).
The color or grade of transparency of the material is not really critical for the storage life of most developers including Xtol unless you plan to store it in direct sunlight. A completely opaque material might even have some drawbacks, as it is then impossible or very difficult to check the condition of the solution visually for potential problems (for example for any precipitate after cold storage in an unheated room during winter etc.)