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Issues with 8-reel tank / Film under-developed at the bottom of 8-reel tank
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Issues with 8-Reel Tank: Films Under-Developed at the Bottom
If films from the bottom reels of your 8-reel tank came out under-developed or showed other issues, there are two common causes worth checking before contacting support.
Possible Cause 1 AP Photo reel in the bottom positions
The problem may be caused by using an AP Photo reel in the very bottom of the tank. In the bottom two placements, use only original Paterson reels, as the AP reel may get stuck against the tank wall and restrict chemistry flow.
Possible Cause 2 Insufficient chemistry volume
Make sure you have used enough developer for the tank size. Too little chemistry means the bottom reels may not be fully covered during development.
Use the chemical volumes table below as a reference:
Possible Cause 3 Reels packed too closely or all facing the same direction
If reels are packed tightly against each other without any space between them, chemistry flow can be restricted. Try adding spacers or leaving a small gap between reels.
Additionally, if all reels are loaded facing the same direction, they can act as a pump during rotation, pushing chemistry away from the film nearest to the central column and leaving it under-developed. Try alternating the direction of adjacent reels so they face opposite ways.
If neither of these seems to be the cause, contact support@vintagevisual.eu for further diagnosis.