I have bee using XTOL for about 2 years and I do not have the air bubble problem.I don't presoak, I use 1/2 strength KodaK Indicator Stop Bath and "plain old" Kodak Fixer. Needless to say I don't use distilled water. I'm starting to feel guilty. The only problem I've had with XTOL is the faulty packaging but Kodak seems to have fixed that problem.(posted 8780 days ago)