Oozing Goo - The Lava Lamp Syndicate

Hey All,

See video at end of this post.

So first things first, the #121D lamp I got a week or so ago, the colors are really beautiful in person. The problem is that even with switching out bulbs the lamp makes one column for hours (of course it pulsates as lava goes up and down) but rarely if ever breaks up. The columns mass always stays towards the top of the bottle. What causes this and is there a solution?

Now onto last weekends find which I forgot to post about. An absolutely mint #12 swirl (not sure that is what is is called).

In person the water is crystal clear and the green color is really really vivid. The flow on this lamp is the best I have ever seen thus far in my small collection. Ultra gooey and very very solid lava, little to no bubbles.

I wish the video was more accurate in color and quality.

https://oozinggoo.ning.com/video/lava-lamp-121d-and-12-swirl

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Beautiful lamps both.  It took me a long time to get a green swirl, still looking for the right globe.

As for the pink one, I can't think offhand what it might need.  Maybe just time.  Or maybe when ambient conditions change it will improve.  You could try it in different locations and see what it does.

^^ Keith thanks, the swirls are very nice, was very surprised to see it at the flea market I frequent every weekend. The guy had it hidden behind some taller items so that's probably why it was still there when I arrived.

I'm gonna keep running the #121D and see what happens over time. it's still a very nice lamp. I wonder if it's just getting to hot to quick, maybe a slight variation change in the fluid from the factory?

Could be fluid variation, could be a little too much wax, could be not enough surfactant, could be slightly cold or hot.  Ya just don't know.  

This era lamps flow stages; cold, spiking, marbles growing to blobs, sometimes column of snakey flow, finally, normal flow.  So I'm tending to think it's not quite hot enough.  With summer temps drafts of cold a.c. air could be making a difference.

For sure it's getting to hot. I did an experiment and put in a 25 watt reflector bulb with standard socked like a normal household bulb. kinda looks like this one below

https://www.amazon.com/25-Watt-Reflector-Incandescent-Bulbrite20002...

So, takes forever to warm up, still has a tendency to make only columns but does break up a little more often than with the correct 40watt bulb. Regardless of bulbs the amount of bubbles in the lava is staggering, almost like that is what creates the large collection of lava at the top once warm.

So I would have to assume it's chemistry issue, not necessarily a to hot or to cold problem.

Hmmmm, what to do?? Thoughts?? I might have another LETGO find to post but won't know until tomrorow lol :p

Thoughts=Surfactant

A drop of two at a time then wait.  Take your time.  Once you notice a change do only one drop at a time.  Be patient.

Only do this technique on a fully heated globe.

I say drops because the globe is flowing and probably only needs a slight adjustment.


kero48 said:

For sure it's getting to hot. I did an experiment and put in a 25 watt reflector bulb with standard socked like a normal household bulb. kinda looks like this one below

https://www.amazon.com/25-Watt-Reflector-Incandescent-Bulbrite20002...

So, takes forever to warm up, still has a tendency to make only columns but does break up a little more often than with the correct 40watt bulb. Regardless of bulbs the amount of bubbles in the lava is staggering, almost like that is what creates the large collection of lava at the top once warm.

So I would have to assume it's chemistry issue, not necessarily a to hot or to cold problem.

Hmmmm, what to do?? Thoughts?? I might have another LETGO find to post but won't know until tomrorow lol :p

Keith, okay great, makes sense but now the bigger question, without having to order online, what can I use as surf that I can locally? I thought you answered this in a thread of mine somewhere in the past but can't remember which one.

Since the bottle is small and manageable, I have no problem giving this a go, and carefully of course :)

Oh, yes, I almost forgot, I made another snag on LETGO today, will post some info in the next few days :)

Unscented Miracle Bubble; I have used scented bubble solution before and had the globe go cloudy.  That's why I normally recommend sodium laurel sulphate.  Sourcing it is only a little tricky.  EBay is where I bought some, you can try local soap or lotion supply stores, that is if you can locate one.



kero48 said:

Keith, okay great, makes sense but now the bigger question, without having to order online, what can I use as surf that I can locally? I thought you answered this in a thread of mine somewhere in the past but can't remember which one.

Since the bottle is small and manageable, I have no problem giving this a go, and carefully of course :)

Oh, yes, I almost forgot, I made another snag on LETGO today, will post some info in the next few days :)

^^ What is miracle bubble? I wonder if I can find that a toys R us or another toy store?

Something interesting that you alluded too. I left the 25 watt reflector bulb in the lamp and ran it tonight for hours, it seems to work much better tonight and does seperate, maybe not as much as my other lamps but better I guess. I wonder if it has to do with the fact that is was only about 70+ degrees today as opposed to 90+ give or take. I don't have the AC on in the apt either. Very confusing lol.

What do you think of this??

https://www.amazon.com/Sodium-Lauryl-Sulfate-33-6floz-1000ml/dp/B01...

But the SLS from Amazon would be the better product.  If you can find it in powder form you'll save $  as just a little + distilled water goes a long way.  1\4 teaspoon in 6 ounces is what Critter recommended to me.

kero48 said:

^^ What is miracle bubble? I wonder if I can find that a toys R us or another toy store?

Something interesting that you alluded too. I left the 25 watt reflector bulb in the lamp and ran it tonight for hours, it seems to work much better tonight and does seperate, maybe not as much as my other lamps but better I guess. I wonder if it has to do with the fact that is was only about 70+ degrees today as opposed to 90+ give or take. I don't have the AC on in the apt either. Very confusing lol.

What do you think of this??

https://www.amazon.com/Sodium-Lauryl-Sulfate-33-6floz-1000ml/dp/B01...

Claude,

Thanks for the link, I will def consider as it might also be good to have around.

Each lamp flows differently.  No two lamps alike.  They have different personalities.   I have some the column, snake, whatever you want to call it.  Eventually, the will break and reform, but that is just them.  Some do it some don't.  I like the columns, of course, you like to see the break once in awhile. But to me that is just them doing their thing.  BTW, I too purchased the liquid SLS off ebay, works great! Let us know what you decide to do!  Good luck!

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