Watched my developing tank explode on a Sunday afternoon

I was developing a roll of Tri-X from a hike up in the Cascades last weekend. Everything was going fine until I went to pour out the developer and the top of my Patterson tank just popped clean off. Chemical went everywhere, all over my kitchen counter and onto the floor. I just stood there for a second with my hands up, covered in wet film and D-76. Turns out I forgot to seat the lid properly before I started agitating. Lost the whole roll of 36 exposures and had to spend two hours cleaning up. Has anyone else had a tank failure ruin a roll like this?

3 comments

3 Comments

casey_wood26d ago

Tbh I don't think the tank is the problem here, it sounds like you rushed the setup. I've forgotten to seat my Patterson lid twice in ten years and both times I caught it because I always do a quick test twist before I add chemistry. Losing 36 shots of Tri-X stings but that's more about checking your gear before you start, not a tank failure.

patricia5585d ago

Yeah a quick test twist takes two seconds and saves a whole roll, pretty simple habit to build.

craig.mila6d ago

36 shots of Tri-X is a brutal loss no doubt. But man, I side with you here. Patterson tanks are pretty idiot proof if you just do that quick check before pouring. I've seen people blame the tank when really they just didn't twist it down all the way. It's a hard lesson but one you only learn once. Hope the next batch comes out perfect for them.