TF-4 is great fixer, and it does wash out the magenta very effectively, if submerged a bit longer than the recommended time. It's all I use for negatives, and almost all I use for prints. Alkaline fixers are great, but just using non hardening fixer is also a step in the right direction, like Ilford Hypam, which is more likely to be available in stores around you. If you was your film effectively after the fixing stage, the remaining dyes should come out and color the water slightly pink. Since you can take the film out after it's fixed, you can inspect it and see how it's washing out. David Goldfarb's advice to use Permawash or Kodak Hypo Clearing Agent works great if the film is finicky to wash.
I don't understand the recommendation to use the fixer one-shot, however. If you test your fixer before you fix your film by submerging a piece of undeveloped film, in TF-4 it should clear within a minute. If it doesn't, then I'd definitely discard it. If it's borderline I'd definitely discard it. I'm not saying it's wrong to use it as one shot. It just seems like such a waste.
Stephanie, I agree that distilled water makes a huge difference in the odor. I got ventilation installed in my darkroom for fifty bucks. It's a good thing to do. I can even tone prints in there without getting the nasty sulphite odor of sepia, brown, etc...
- Thomas
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