Fixer life

[Grandpa Ron]

My 4x5 film developing goes in spurts. Since I need a half gallon of each material to process a batch, it is weeks or months between darkroom activities.

As a result I have switched to a mixing a fresh batch I of developer each time. The stop bath has an indicator when it is exhausted but how do you know when the fixer is exhausted?

If I switch to a liquid fixer I could mix a fresh batch as I go but is it necessary?

 

[webestang64]

This will give you an idea about storage times.

https://imaging.kodakalaris.com/sites/prod/files/files/product-categories/e103cf.pdf

 

[Mike Drone]

I was under the impression that fixer lasted years. A way to check fixer is to take a piece of any film and stick it in the solution, the film should go clear in a few seconds. If the film stays the same, it's time to change. =]