Several lists have this topic going. Why an alkaline stopbath? I can understand the use alkaline fixers. But isn't a alkaline stop bath the photo equivalent of gasoline on a dying fire? Most developers are powered by an alkaline accelerator. Wouldn't an alkaline stop bath operate like a "B" bath( e.g divided developers)? With long development times, I can see it as little consequence.But with times as short as 5 min.s I just wonder. I use water myself. More for economic reasons. But since this seems to be a hot topic and I wanted some input from this group. Garry ============================================================================================================= To unsubscribe from this list, go to www.freelists.org and logon to your account (the same e-mail address and password you set-up when you subscribed,) and unsubscribe from there.