Filter pump for clearing cloudy lamps?

[Johnny Flame]

Hi there, I have two "Lava" company lava lamps, two of the same lamp, and they both did the same thing. They were never shaken or knocked over, but turned cloudy after a few months of use. I've tried cycling them on and off for 8 hours for a couple weeks and saw no changes.

I want to clear them up and get them working properly again without taking up too much time, and as I understand it, the best and easiest way to do that is run the lamp liquid through a small water pump, the kind you would use for camping, but I have read much conflicting information on this subject, most of which is from a long time ago, and I can't seem to get a clear answer, so I wanted to ask what you guys are doing right now in 2017 to clean up cloudy liquid, without having to redo the whole lamp? Is a portable pump still the best way to go? Which pump? Which filter? Etc.. Thanks!

[Dr. WHAT?!]

MSR Miniworks with ceramic filter element. Does wonders and you get a good workout as well.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/MSR-MiniWorks-reg-Micro-Filter/12030...

[Johnny Flame]

Thanks for the reply! But this is where I get confused.. Because everything I've seen says to stay away from carbon filters, only use ceramic, because carbon filters will take out surfactant and mess up the flow of the lamp. The "Ceramic Filter Cartridge" for the MiniWorks series states that it has a carbon core. There is no version of the "ceramic filter" which does not also have a carbon core, which "removes bad doors and taste caused by iodine, chlorine, and some pesticides". Can anyone clarify?

[Johnny Flame]

This filter, correct? As you can see, in the description, it says that it has a ceramic outer element, and a carbon core, and is made out of ceramic, carbon, and plastic. There seems to be two sets of conflicting information about this. On one hand, people say that carbon filters will mess up your liquid and kill your flow so avoid them like the plague, and on the other hand, everywhere you turn there are people singing praises for the Miniworks Ceramic Filter - with its carbon core.. Which doesn't add up, at least to my brain. Am I missing something?

Do you personally use that MSR pump/filter Dr. What? Anyone else with personal experience using the MSR pump/ceramic filter to clean globes in 2016/17? Just want to be sure, because it's not the cheapest fix. and there is definitely carbon in that "ceramic" filter.

[Dr. WHAT?!]

Actually I dont think anyone had a issue with using carbon, I was weary about using carbon but people said that it was fine Essentially carbon is not much different then ceramic. Its just a porous rock that catches micro bits and pieces. The one I have and use is just the ceramic one and its cleared tons of lamps up for me. I think the only difference is that carbon eventually stops working and will need to be replaced. The ceramic you just scrub it and rinse and its fine, doesn't need to be replaced.

[Johnny Flame]

Okay perfect, thanks again for the reply!

[T Sabo]

Johnny, Did you get the Mini Works with the ceramic filter that has the carbon core? Did it work without issues to the flow?

Please let me know I am in the process of deciding which is the best filter.

[Kelly]

Do you know of an electric version? My Colossus is getting cloudy...

[Kim Eason]

so you did use the one that had the carbon core? correct

Dr. WHAT?! said:

Actually I dont think anyone had a issue with using carbon, I was weary about using carbon but people said that it was fine Essentially carbon is not much different then ceramic. Its just a porous rock that catches micro bits and pieces. The one I have and use is just the ceramic one and its cleared tons of lamps up for me. I think the only difference is that carbon eventually stops working and will need to be replaced. The ceramic you just scrub it and rinse and its fine, doesn't need to be replaced.