Lava Lamp Scientists

Comment by StickStoneBone on December 6, 2009 at 12:05am

I prefer Pickling Salt over Epsom Salt, but both work. Pickling Salt usually give a 'quicker' movement, Epsom Salt seems to be slower, and the goo gobs are usually rounder. You can also try Glycerin, it works FANTASTIC. I've never seen a lamp work better.

Comment by Andy Man on December 6, 2009 at 9:49am

Thanks, I ended up just going out and buying the pickling salt. For $2 I figured it was worth it! I used the glycerin solution as well which was keeping the liquid crystal clear and the wax off the glass. But then added DAWN brand soap and got crazy activity and white ppt appeared:( Now I'm trying Miracle Soap added in solution.

Comment by StickStoneBone on December 6, 2009 at 5:51pm

Try Polyethylene Glycol (Miralax or a generic brand is usually 15 bucks at Walmart, but a little goes a long way). It's a superior Surfactant, it not only changes the surface tension of the water it also increases the gravity.

Comment by StickStoneBone on December 6, 2009 at 8:54pm

Technically I guess you could make a lamp with only Polyethylene Glycol, it should flow very well. Maybe that will be my next experiment.

Comment by Jennifer on December 8, 2009 at 9:48am

I've never made a lamp using glycerin rather than salt. I must try. I use epsom salt always and I do end up adding a lot. I have some homemade wax that I'm trying to get to work in a meditteranean and I'm having 0 luck. I sure wish Spencer's would get some GOOD lamps in for a transplant!

Comment by StickStoneBone on December 17, 2009 at 8:42pm

Anyone have any luck making Rubbing Alcohol lamps? I've made several, and they are surprisingly easy.If anyone is interested I'm happy to share info.

Comment by Andy Man on December 18, 2009 at 9:40pm

I just got a lamp flowing with just the Poly Glycol. I found that soap was still needed to counter act the surface tension issue of PG alone. It flows slow and round blobs. Different flow than the salt solution. I'll post pics in a few days if it still looks good.

Comment by Andy Man on December 22, 2009 at 12:07pm

Conclusion: It will flow, so it is a very mellow motion lamp. But not an improvement over relying on the salt.

Comment by StickStoneBone on January 12, 2010 at 5:57pm

You'd have better flow if you mixed the PEG with Pickling Salt. The Salt makes it flow fast, the PEG can then be seen visibly affecting as it 'zooms' about.

Comment by MagicLamp on March 30, 2010 at 10:12am

With 3 lava lamps under my belt in under 2 weeks, I think I'll fit right in ;-)

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