Fluorescent water can give off a mysterious atmosphere like neon lights lighting up a dark room without actually needing electricity or neon lights. With a few simple ingredients, some of which you probably already have, making this fluorescent water only takes a few minutes! Check out today's easy way to make a special decoration when you're celebrating Halloween or the dance.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using Tonic Water
Step 1. Pour the tonic water into a clean container
Believe it or not, ordinary tonic water will glow under a UV lamp - and the light is bright enough too. To get such a glow, start by pouring tonic water into a see-through container. You can add tonic water only or dilute it with water. Note that the more water you add, the dimmer the light will be.
Tonic water is available in supermarkets in general at a price of only tens of thousands of rupiah. Make sure to buy tonic water (tonic water), no soda, or sparkling water. The bottle must be marked "contains quinine" or something.
Step 2. Illuminate the tonic water with a UV lamp
All you have to do to make the tonic water glow is shine a UV light on it. Be sure to dim the light in your room before doing so, or you'll have a hard time seeing the glow.
UV lamps can be purchased at specialty supply stores (such as Spencer's, etc.) or online. The price of a UV lamp is often determined by the size and brightness of the lamp - a standard UV lamp costs around IDR 250,000 or less
Step 3. No need to be afraid to drink tonic water
Making tonic water glow with a UV lamp does make it look really weird, but it won't make it toxic, emit radioactive, or dangerous to drink for any reason. However, tonic water is often high in calories and sugar, so don't drink it too often.
Tonic water that glows in this way is due to the chemical "phosphorus" contained in the liquid. When ultraviolet light from a UV lamp (which humans cannot see) hits a phosphor, it is converted by the phosphor into light that humans can see, making it appear to glow
Method 2 of 4: Using Highlighter
Step 1. Buy and try your Highlighter to see if it can fluoresce
Not all Highlighters can glow in the dark when exposed to UV light, so write something with Highlighter on white paper and shine it with a UV light to see how it glows.
- You can use any color, but yellow is usually the one that glows the most in a dark room.
- All brands can actually be used, and you can also try neon colored markers.
- The luminescence will be seen most easily in a completely dark room, so that no other light interferes.
Step 2. Fill a clear container with water
Tonic water isn't the only ingredient that contains glow-forming phosphors - regular highlighters work the same way. Start (as before) by filling the water into a clear container such as a glass.
Note that this method can damage your Highlighter, - and you can't reuse it once you're done
Step 3. Remove the Highlighter ink cartridge
If you just dip the Highlighter directly into the water, the ink won't come out of the tip fast enough. For this reason, you must remove the entire ink cartridge. This is how:
- Unscrew Highlighter
- Use pliers (or hands if you're okay with splattering the Highlighter ink) to remove the highlighter tip.
- Use pliers to pry off the highlighter base.
- Carefully pull out the ink cartridge. Be careful not to spill it or soil your clothes.
Step 4. Insert the wand and ink cartridge into the container
Place the holder, ink cartridge, or other ink you dispense into the water. The ink will mix with the water, and change its color. Cut or break the ink cartridge if necessary to remove it. Mix it with water so that the color is even.
You can leave the ink cartridge and Highlighter holder in the water once the colors are mixed, or get them out of there - it's up to you
Step 5. Illuminate the water with a UV lamp
Just like in the tonic water above, a dark room and UV light will make the Highlighter ink in the water glow brightly. You can also attach a flashlight to the bottom of the case to make it appear bright (although the neon effect you get with a UV lamp will be lost).
Unlike tonic water, water that fluoresces in this way no safe to drink.
Method 3 of 4: Using Fluorescent Paint
Step 1. Look for fluorescent paint at a craft store
This paint should be based on "tempera" or water soluble material so that it can mix with water. You can even buy paint that glows in the dark to add to the glow.
As with the Highlighter, any fluorescent paint can be used, but the most effective are lemon yellow and lime green
Step 2. Pour the paint into a cup of water
To strengthen the glow emitted by the water, apply as much paint as possible. You can put a few tablespoons of paint in one cup of water.
Step 3. Stir the paint evenly
Use a stirring rod or other utensil - but not a tablespoon. Make sure that the paint dissolves completely into the cup of water before proceeding.
- Warm or hot water will help the paint dissolve faster.
- If you let the water sit for a long time, the paint may start to separate. Use this paint solution immediately after you finish stirring.
Step 4. Try it
Turn off all lights in the room and illuminate the paint solution with a UV lamp. Be careful when using water like this - it contains paint which can stain the fabric.
This solution no safe to drink.
Method 4 of 4: Using a Glowing Wand
Step 1. Fill the container with water and prepare the ingredients you need
In this way, you'll use water, a glow stick, and a few other common materials to make water that doesn't need a UV lamp to glow. As with the other methods above, start by filling the water into a clear container, such as a bottle or glass. You'll also need a few other ingredients before you start:
- One or more glowing sticks
- Scissors
- Dish soap
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Waterproof gloves
Step 2. Break the glow stick
Take a glow stick, find the glass tube inside, and bend it until you feel it snap. This tube should glow immediately - the light is easiest to see when the other lights are turned off. Repeat this step for the other glow sticks. The more glow sticks you use, the brighter the water will be.
- These glow sticks are available at party supply stores and many supermarkets (especially in the run-up to Halloween.) They're usually pretty cheap - a bag of 100 sticks costs around Rp. 150,000.
- Try to buy the largest glow sticks, so the water produced will give off a bright glow.
Step 3. Pour the fluorescent material into the water
Put on your gloves. Carefully cut the ends of each glow stick with scissors, and pour the liquid into the water. Mix the water and liquid.
Be careful - remember that every glow stick contains broken glass
Step 4. Add hydrogen peroxide and dish soap (optional)
The water should now glow, but by adding a few other ingredients, you can make the light brighter. Pour a few caps of hydrogen peroxide into the water, then add half a teaspoon of regular laundry soap (e.g. Palmolive, Ajax, etc.)
The two chemicals contained in the glow stick are diphenyl oxalate (in a plastic tube), and hydrogen peroxide (in a glass tube inside). When you break the stick, the glass tube will shatter and the two chemicals will mix and produce light. Adding more hydrogen peroxide means adding the same chemicals as in the stick, so the result will be lighter. Dish soap contains chemicals that lower the surface tension of the water, making it easier for hydrogen peroxide and diphenyl oxalate to mix
Step 5. Shake, and enjoy
When done, cover the water bowl and shake (or stir) to make sure all the ingredients are mixed in. When you're done, the water inside will glow without the need for a UV lamp (although this lamp will amplify the light).
This solution no safe to drink.
Tips
- Fluorescent water is perfect for parties at night. Place the fluorescent water in a glass, vase, or other see-through container, and decorate your home or yard with this water for guests to enjoy.
- You can also use fluorescent water in the tub. Prepare bath water by mixing tonic water or non-toxic fluorescent paint in warm water. Turn on the UV lights and turn off the bathroom lights for a glow-in-the-dark water experience. This kind of water is perfect for children - but if you use fluorescent paint, be careful not to drink the water.
- You might want to try fluorescent water balloon wars. Fill the balloon with glowing water, then toss it! Try making water glow using a glow stick, and have fun in the backyard with your friends at night. Be careful not to get the fluorescent tube water into your eyes or mouth.
- If it's snowing where you live, make the water glow for painting. Cool the water so it doesn't melt the snow and put it in a spray bottle. Take it outside, and make your painting in the snow. This game is also an interesting way to spend an evening with the kids.
