"rusty particulate" in paterson aculux 2

[stephen_jones4]

I recently tried Patterson aculux 2 with fuji neopan 400 and got grossly under

developed negatives. On closer examination of the concentrate, I noticed

"rust-like" material floating about in the otherwise clear liquid. On shaking, the

material dissolved after frothing, and the liquid has become clear. Anyone

know what's going on? The bottle was newly opened and has a best-before

2004 label. Had the ingredients separated or was this oxidation? In short I

want a standard, reliable liquid alternative to id-11 and wonder whether to

persevere with this Geoffrey Crawley brew. Any comments would be gratefully

received.

[alan_woolnough]

Just a stab in the dark, Stephen.

 

Although i dont use Patterson chemicals, my new Nova chemicals always have a foil seal, on the bottle tops. I have noticed, when the bottles have been opened and used, that the dried chemicals around the bottle rims can drop into my mixing graduates.

 

If your new chemicals arrived with no foil seal, then this could be a possible cause. It would also, possibly , be a reason for your under developed negs, as the bottles, although new, may not have been airtight.

 

Hope you solve it.

[chris_waller]

How old was the Aculux? Even if the foil seal is intact the dev will go off after a few years. This is one reason I changed to Agfa Rodinal - it just goes on working, even when it has turned the colour of Turkish coffee!