The Genii Forum

Hi All-

Does anybody know what chemicals are used to darken the water and clear it up?

I have just cooked up my first batch of sand. A bit of work...but I think it will be well worth the effort.

Thanks in advance.

P.T. Murphy

How about a little iodine, and then some Oxyclean?

You mean you haven't seen the commercial? :eek:

No I have NOT seen the commercial... I am sure that the chemicals used are jsut as innocuous...does the Oxyclean clear up the water? YOU may be on to something my friend.

Many years ago ( 45 ) I was a pitchman. I never

worked this but to the best of my rememberence

DD7 or Oxyclean was the same as the old pitch

" Rad ". This was short for eradicate.The " G "

( gaff ) was everything was some soap and iodine

like go-jo and iodine, that was cup grease. Liquid

hand soap and iodine was choclate syrup ( in a

hersheys can ) and iodine. The water did have

something in it. Photo hypo crystals. How much?

Till no more would disolve. I don't know if it

will work for the sand and water trick but give

it a try..........Mike

I will look into this. Thanks!

Sorry I can't remember the exact chemicals. I bought the trick from Tannens back in the late 70's in High School. In a Chemistry Lab in University, we were given a mystery chemical to identify. Low and behold, I got one I immediately recognized from the trick! Who says magic doesn't pay?

Mark

Unfortunately, the secret of this trick is now well known due to the selling of "magic sand" at toy stores this year.

You often hear it said that the secret of an effect is not the most crucial thing. I would now however, be hesitant about performing this trick for a group of children.

I'm reminded of the Vernon story about the orphans and the vanishing candle trick ...
PETRIE-LEWIS! PETRIE-LEWIS! :D

If you use iodine in the water this can be cleared using sodium metabisulphate which you will find in any home brew shop. It is used to sterilise containers etc. Mix up a little solution and try it.

The chemicals used in the Hindu Sands are:

To turn black use:
Tannic Acid and ferric Ammonium Sulfate
To turn clear use:
Oxalic acid

You can find these at fishersci.com or any online chemical supply house.

I would dissolve the tannic acid in the water and put the Ferric Ammounium Sulfate in a thumb tip. Have the Oxalic acid in another thumb tip.