Chemical mixing

[Raffay]

Hello All,

I am planing to mix D76 for the first time, the packet says mix in 3.8 litres of water. I want to know if after heating the water can I put it in an open bucket and then pour the powder and mix, or am I supposed to mix it in a container with a closed lid. As finding a container with a cap that can hold 3.8 L is going to be very difficult.

Cheers

Raffay

[vinny]

I'm pretty sure the picture on the bag shows an open container.........

[Jan Pedersen]

You can mix in an open bucket no problem. It is best to start with less than the full amount of water as the chemistry will add volume.
Start with 3 liter of water and dissolve the chemistry and then add water till you have 3.8L
I would highly recomend that you filter the developer before you put it in your clean storage bottles.

[Raffay]

So you mean that the mixed chemical should be 3.8 L and not add chemical to 3.8L of water. Secondly, any easy way to filter the chemical.

Thank you, Raffay.

[Jan Pedersen]

Yes, you want a final 3.8L when all is mixed.
I use coffee filters in a funnel when i fill my glass bottles.
Not filtering will cause you a lot of grief when it is time to print. Everything you can do to keep dust and other small stuff in your developer away from your negatives will make life easier in the darkroom.

[Raffay]

Thank you for your valuable input.

[AtlantaTerry]

Never ever never ever mix powdered chemicals anywhere near where you will later hang wet negatives to dry. Never.

If you must, do the mixing outdoors.

Otherwise you will have chemical dust out there just drifting around waiting for you to hang to dry The Best Negative You Ever Created In Your Life so that little bugger can land on the wet emulsion, dig in and explode it's little package of nasty chemisty all over your precious.

[Jac@stafford.net]

I hope it is clear that mixing chemistry in a common metal bucket is a bad idea.

[Heroique]

I hope it is clear that mixing chemistry in a common metal bucket is a bad idea.

Blackberry picking before mixing is bad for the solution.

Blackberry picking after mixing is bad for the fruit.

Separate buckets is a good idea!

[Leigh]

The only metal containers that can be used with photographic chemicals are made of stainless steel, specifically designed for use with photo chemistry.

Don't use any other kind of metal container for any purpose in the darkroom, except mopping the floor.

- Leigh