Substitute Graduates

  I'm sure (or i hope) that many of us have been in the situation where we've ordered new chemicals, they've arrived and then we've realised we forgot to order more graduates and bottles etc.  If, like me, you live nowhere near a darkroom supplies shop and you need to mail order everything this causes a problem because let's face it - noone wants to pay postage costs.

  Well fear not for Tesco has come to the rescue!  In some of the larger Tesco's they stock beer fermenting supplies.  Included in this are 100ml graduates such as this one:

  It only cost around £3 but saved me from having to pay postage and wait for my order to arrive.  I may even go back and buy a few more - you know, just in case...

How To: Save Money on Chemical Storage bottles

  If you're anything like me you'll have more chemicals in your darkroom than storage bottles.  I am always loth to buy photo-chem bottles as (although they are only a few pounds each) buying ten at a time soon adds up and to be honest i'd rather spend that money on film, paper and chemicals.  That being said i also don't like using empty water bottles because they feel too thin and flimsy.  I recently found a simple solution and that is home brewing shops.  Pretty obvious when you think about it - if you make your own beer at home you need something to put it in!  Anyway, i found these bottles in a store pretty close to where i live.  Theyre 1 ltr, plastic and chemical resistant - exactly what i need.  They also do amber glass bottles but only in 500ml unfortunately.  Still, can't complain at 60p a bottle!  They will post within the UK; if you're outside the UK i'm sure you'll be able to find somewhere near you where you can source home brewing supplies.

  Just thought i'd share a quick find with you anyway.