PLEASE SEND HELP

[Darth Vader]

I'm hoping to make my first lava lamp this week, and I think I've got mostly everything in the bag except for one thing. I need help figuring out what temperature I should have the lamp at so that the lava can move correctly. I know that if its too hot, the lava will stay at the top, and if it's too cold, it won't work at all. My bulb is 40W, and my container for the lava is 32 oz. I'm also hoping to die the lava green, and the suspension black. Thanks for the help!

[VOXul]

I can probe a 32oz of mine this evening, I believe I have checked it to be around 125-130 Fahrenheit but will confirm. Gookit wax runs at a lower temperature, if that is what you are using.

[Darth Vader]

Thanks! I'll try 126.

[Keith]

The 40W should be fine with that size globe.  If it runs noticibly hot you might want to get a dimmer to allow the lamp to run cooler.

Also note that a dark fluid with a dark wax is nearly impossible to see.  

[Darth Vader]

Thanks for the info! I was thinking of doing a bright green on black, but that's good to know.

[Keith]

Black wax/green fluid works but is dark also.  It would need lighting in back of it.

(from SpartyGalRN)