Sodium Thiosulfate and pool supply stores

Mike A · Jan 25, 2006

I know there has been a post or two regarding purchasing sodium Thiosulfate at the local pool supply store to save on shipping, though I can't seem to locate them at the moment.
I've tried a number of them here in the Chicago area to no avail, is there another name that sodium thiosulfate would be listed under? Is there another resource I could try locally?

Thanks,
Mike A

lee · Jan 25, 2006

I too would like this info as I have tried several companies and all I get is blank looks if I am standing there and dead silence if I am on the phone.

lee\c

Curt · Jan 25, 2006

Wayne · Jan 25, 2006

Mike A said:
I know there has been a post or two regarding purchasing sodium Thiosulfate at the local pool supply store to save on shipping, though I can't seem to locate them at the moment.
I've tried a number of them here in the Chicago area to no avail, is there another name that sodium thiosulfate would be listed under? Is there another resource I could try locally?

Thanks,
Mike A

Ask them what they have for de-chlorinating or neutralizing pools, and see if their light bulb goes off. I know of a source in NW WI if you get desperate, but I doubt if it would be economical to ship. I've only called one company and they knew what I wanted right away, so I dont know what the problem could be.

Wayne · Jan 25, 2006

Ah, I may see the problem. You need to go to a wholesale pool supply company. Look under "swimming pool suuply, wholesale and mfrs" in the YP and see if that turns up anything. Be prepared to say you are a self-employed pro photographer, in case they ask if you are a business.

Claire Senft · Jan 25, 2006

If all else fails try the chemistry store and digitaltruth. I was able to find it here in Milwaukee at pool supply stores. The prices did not seem markedly better and the containers had 20-25% of their ingredients listed as not being sodium thiosulphate.

glbeas · Jan 25, 2006

I got a supply of thiosulfate from a local pool supply that was phasing out a particular brand, Baquacil chlorine neutralizer in 5 oz. bottles, by Avecia Limited. Its sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate. I bought thier whole stock, about 25 bottles. You should be able to get it in bigger bottles. The variety they had on thier shelves they were keeping in stock was sodium sulfite, also listed as a chlorine neutraliser. So check that out too for that chemical. These folks had a manual behind the counter they could look up the MSDS of each product they sold and I'll bet your local store has one too.

dbseney · Jan 25, 2006

I tried a pool supply store, and they were kind enough to give me the name of thier supplier. This company, in Reno, Nevada was more than happy to sell me 50lbs for something like $35. Try to find a general chemical supplier in your area. There is some thing called Thomas.net that may be able to direct you.

Donald

noseoil · Jan 25, 2006

I bought a pail of "Neutralizer" here at a local swimming pool supplier. Ask to see the MSDS (safety sheet, they have it on file) and you will see that sodium thiosulfate is the ingredient. I think the pail cost me $30 (US) for 25#, don't remember. Don't ask for it by its chemical name unless you want the three mile stare. tim

matt miller · Jan 25, 2006

When I called the local pool supply house and asked for sodium thiosulfate, the guy I talked to knew right away what I wanted. I buy it in 10 lb jugs. It's labeled "Halogen Reducer".

Gary892 · Jan 25, 2006

Here is a link I found when I googled it.
http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/s5230.htm

Gary

gainer · Jan 26, 2006

matt miller said:
When I called the local pool supply house and asked for sodium thiosulfate, the guy I talked to knew right away what I wanted. I buy it in 10 lb jugs. It's labeled "Halogen Reducer".

I bought some chlorine neutralizer thinking it was thiosulphate and it turned out to be sulfite. We all use that stuff, but not in place of thiosulfate. There was no indication on the container as to what it was. I found out it was not thiosulfate soon enough. I had to get the MSDS to find what it was. The problem is that both are used as antichlorine, so don't just ask for antichlor.

pnance · Jan 26, 2006

There are six Leslie's Pool Supplies in the Chicago area, they sell a neutralizer with sodium thiosulfate in it. Check your phone book or use the internet yellow pages.

glbeas · Jan 26, 2006

pnance said:
There are six Leslie's Pool Supplies in the Chicago area, they sell a neutralizer with sodium thiosulfate in it. Check your phone book or use the internet yellow pages.

It was a Leslies that I got my supply that they were phasing out. Better check with them and be sure they still have it or can order it for you.

joeyk49 · Jan 26, 2006

OK...I'll bite...

I know that I'm not chemistry literate. I pour the right amount of Rodinal in to the beaker and mix it with the right amount of water....

I've had a glass of wine this evening and my curiousity has got the better of me...What do you use it (sodium thiosulfate) for?...and does it matter that its hooked up with another substance; carbonate/sulfite/hydroxide/whateveritis???

Wayne · Jan 26, 2006

it is the active ingredient in standard fixer. Sulfite yes, hold the carbonate please...

pnance · Jan 27, 2006

Interesting, I had went to a Leslie's looking for sodium thiosulfate, I found small bottles of neutralizer marked on the back as containing sodium thiosulfate. (I later had a bag from Ulrich Chemical here in town) Checking Leslie's web site, none of the MSDS's for neutralizer show sodium thiosulfate, only sodium sulfite.

Don't forget you can always get the right stuff from Photographic Formulary, and there are no other ingredients.

mikepry · Jan 27, 2006

Mike,
The place you want to go to is Barson Chemical in Wheeling. They have either 40 or 50 lb. bags of prismatic rice crystals (sodium thiosulfate). They are good folks. It is a wholesale outfit and they will sell to you. I am about due to get another bag and personally I use the F-24 for my fixing needs and am quite happy with it. The cost is about 55.00 for the sack which is a huge savings versus going the PF or other route. I don't have their phone number but call directory assistance and you'll be good to go! Hope this helps.

dancqu · Jan 27, 2006

pnance said:
Don't forget you can always get the right stuff
from Photographic Formulary, and there are no
other ingredients.

And the "right stuff" from P. Formulary is the anhydrous.
Don't buy the penta. The penta will chill the solution
as it dissolves. So, if you'd like to spoon up fresh
fix as you use it pick the anhydrous. Dan

joeyk49 · Jan 27, 2006

Wayne said:
it is the active ingredient in standard fixer. Sulfite yes, hold the carbonate please...

Ahh...So, its for making your own fixer???

Wayne · Jan 27, 2006

You guessed it.

mikepry · Jan 27, 2006

dancqu said:
And the "right stuff" from P. Formulary is the anhydrous.
Don't buy the penta. The penta will chill the solution
as it dissolves. So, if you'd like to spoon up fresh
fix as you use it pick the anhydrous. Dan

That's why I start with HOT water. I have been using this for years and have ZERO problems. If you want to pay the premium price for the "right stuff" have at it but I'll use my savings for other items.

dancqu · Jan 27, 2006

joeyk49 said:
Ahh...So, its for making your own fixer???

Add water and it's fixer. Spoon up fresh fix. I use it very
dilute so as not to waste chemistry. Then it is tossed
after each roll or print. Keep a pitcher of it handy and
use it for film or prints. I plan my work ahead so
know how much to have on hand. Dan

gainer · Jan 27, 2006

mikepry said:
Mike,
The place you want to go to is Barson Chemical in Wheeling. They have either 40 or 50 lb. bags of prismatic rice crystals (sodium thiosulfate). They are good folks. It is a wholesale outfit and they will sell to you. I am about due to get another bag and personally I use the F-24 for my fixing needs and am quite happy with it. The cost is about 55.00 for the sack which is a huge savings versus going the PF or other route. I don't have their phone number but call directory assistance and you'll be good to go! Hope this helps.

That's Wheeling, IL. This is the first time I heard of a Wheeling other than ours. The answer to the stupid riddle "What's the biggest load in the world?" used to be "Wheeling West Virginia." I wonder which one is bigger?

joeyk49 · Jan 27, 2006

Ok...now that I bit, I'm hooked...

Is there a thread on how exactly to make it...so that I don't have to waste the time of those on this thread who are looking for contacts and resources?

Does this make hardening or non hardening fixer?

Sodium Thiosulfate and pool supply stores

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