Water filter pitcher for cloudy lava lamps

[Gooboy]

I have heard several folks say they cleared their cloudy LL's simply by running them through

a Brita (or equivalent) water filtration pitcher and it works great!

 

So, instead of a Brita, I decided to give this one a try since it has much higher ratings:

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002U50QQQ/ref=s9_simh_co_p60_d0_i...

 

This experiment is kind of expensive since I am sure to go through a few filters just for one

Grande lamp, so if it does not work, all you guys who say it does, are going to be in trouble :) LOL!

 

 

[Gooboy]

Looks great! did you need to top it off?

[Dr. WHAT?!]

They also recommend boiling the micro filter as well for 10 minutes I think? not sure on the time but boiling it will definitely help remove stubborn wax built up, they also include a green scrub pad that you should use after each use which makes a big difference as well. Usually you can tell when it needs to be clean, for it will become harder to pump and you'll notice the amount of filtered water coming out is much less when it needs a cleaning. But other then that a MSR is a better way to go. I'm on the fence about the Brita filter just because of the carbon filters that they use. Carbon usually takes impurities out of the water and I would be worried that whatever it is in the master fluid will be lost. But I know some people have had no issue using a Brita so to each is own. The MSR is my choice.

 

 

Marcel said:

Maybe i can post a before and after picture of a filtered Grande.

You can use the MSR Filter a long time. But you have to follow some rules:

Clean it after use with destilled water, unscrew the parts and let them dry in the air for one week.

[Gooboy]

Besides boiling the filter, does this pump need to be primed before use, or is it ready to use right out of the box?

[Dr. WHAT?!]

you only have to boil it after a few uses first. You should prime it with some distilled water first and then pump as much of it out as possible, then pump the lamp's fluid.

[Dr. WHAT?!]

No I wouldn't boil it every time but once every 10 uses is good. The green scrub pad usually does the job cleaning it.

Marcel said:

In the instructions you can read that they do not recomend to boil the filter every time.

Only if you let it not dry in the air. I ruined one Grande lamp because i stored the wet filter in a plastic foil for 2 month :)

[Gooboy]

Great! how many times do you have to run the cloudy water through the pump before it gets nice and clear?

 

Also, I have an opened junk LL with clear liquid that I could use for topping off if needed.

 

Marcel, how long did it take you to clear up the blue one?

I have one that looks just like that, well, maybe not that bad.

It seems like the darker colors of red and violet tend to have the most cloudyness, or is this just an illusion?

[Dr. WHAT?!]

Should only take one time but the cloudier the globe the more you'll have to filter it. Also remember that filtering any lamp it may or may not always stay clear. If the wax is leaking dye then mostly likely you'll see it cloud up slightly again and at that point your better off gookitting it.

[Gooboy]

I dont think very much dye will leach back into the water since the lava is yellow, but there may be some.

These purple Grande's are very dark water coloring.

If I can just get the water clear enough to really see the lava, I will be happy. It dosent need to be 100% clear.

 

 

[Gooboy]

Thanks much, now I am anxious to get started.

Waiting (impatiently) for my filter pump to be delivered. I'm afraid by the time it gets here will be too late to

start anything. Plus I have a bad cold and should probably get to bed early. Tonight is a "chicken soup" night :(

 

[Modulo '70]

Does anyone know if coffee filters work for filtering cloudy Lavas? Just a long shot.

[Gooboy]

Yeah, I will second that. I tried all kinds of filter papers (since I work in a lab) and not only do they not work,

they get plugged up really fast.

[Brian nolastnamesplease]

I felt compelled to respond to this article.

Rici Faulkner...YOU ARE A LIFE SAVER!!!!!!

 

I found the EXACT same water filter that you linked and it cleared not only a premier (52 ounce) lava lamp I got from Amazon.com but it also cleared my GRANDE lava lamp and all with the filter it came with! I had this grande for about a year and got a killer deal on it because it was a floor model. Naturally it was really cloudy but no more cloudiness/amorphous shadows!! I can actually see every bit of lava flowing!

As you mentioned it is not a 100% clear but its about a 95% clear for the grande, but the premier lamp I can easily see my hand through it.  This filter was super cheap (15 dollars and can hold an entire 52 ounce!) and the replacement cartridges, if I remember properly, were only 5 bucks a pop at our shop.

Again, Thank you Rici. I never thought I would see these things work!

 

I will post pictures to show the end results.