Hi everyone!
I’ve been trying to learn more about lava lamp mods lately and honestly I got super interested in the whole process :D I’ve already asked around in a few FB groups that are supposedly about lava lamp mods, but to be honest it sometimes feels like everyone just keeps recommending the exact same products from the same stores over and over again...
And sometimes it even feels like people are being suuuper secretive about it on purpose😅 I totally get it - they want to protect their own business/recipes. BUT as someone living in Europe, I really can’t afford paying 40$+ just for shipping, plus taxes and import fees every single time 🙁 As much as I’d like to buy those products, it’s just not realistic for me. That’s why I’m trying to learn more local alternatives and actually understand how everything works myself. I really hope to get more help here, because in those groups my post was answered by only one person😅
So, cut to the point: I have a problem with my Schylling 14"5 lamp. It’s a 2025 model that I ordered recently, but unfortunately it arrived veeery cloudy. I’ve already run a few full cycles, but it hasn’t cleared up. So I decided to filter the fluid, but didn’t have the right filter at first - I used a paint strainer (around 200 microns, which I now know was definitely way too large 😅), so the first attempt didn’t really help much. I’m currently waiting for a proper water filter (0.01 micron).
While waiting, I replaced the original fluid with distilled water and kept the original fluid in another bottle. Now I’m wondering: what could I add to help the wax stop floating at the top? Could this possibly be an issue with the wax itself?
I’ve also been reading a LOT lately and honestly my brain is starting to overheat xd Some people recommend SLES, someone in one of the groups told me “not SLES, but SLS instead”, and I’ve also read about propylene glycol and even tetrachloroethylene from Brakleen… and now I genuinely don’t know what direction to go in anymore 😅
How do you actually increase the wax density properly so it stops floating at the very top?
Photos below show:
right after purchase
after the first unsuccessful filtration attempt
after changing the fluid
I also added a comparison photo of my 20$ Chinese lamp - honestly the flow there looks much nicer 😅 The wax forms longer, more “snakey” shapes instead of just floating at the top in blobs.
Any advice or ideas would be really appreciated 🙏<3