The base liquid needs to have lower surface tension (dishwasher rinse aid added) and the dropped liquid needs higher viscosity (Xanthan Gum added). I ... used Tonic Water as the drop liquid
Xanthan gum I know well. Its not just higher viscosity but a whole different rheolgy. Whe nmy wife uses "thick bleach", I say: if you are just using it for the bleach, use "thin bleach", if you want "cling" use a product containing Xanthan gum. Of course she never listens.
And why Tonic Water? For it's uv effect? I'm not sure what is doing that; I am inspired to check. I would recommend that you reserve the Tonic for the gin, and use an Optical Whitening Agent (aka Optical Bleach, OWA, OBA). These are used in clothes washing detergents as a modern blueing agent
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location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand. "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
And why Tonic Water? For it's uv effect? I'm not sure what is doing that; I am inspired to check.
Yes it's the Quinine in it apparently that is responsible for the fluorescence. It's not advised to use inks and dyes in the dropper equipment, so I use tonic water which gives the lovely blue and as you can see I have used some fluorescent inks in the base liquid.
My soap/washing up liquid approach is so dilute that it would be harmless to birds. Excellent if they wash in as well. I wouldn't put it in a pond. Though that is where mine water goes on annual water butt clean-out. But by that time it will have biodegraded.
How big is the birds water container? Can you not just clean it occasionally?
location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand. "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
@bédé Just a hobby, I've sold prints to people that have asked for them, although I'm in the process of setting things up to sell my Astrophotography work which has been my obsession for the past 5 years.
The olive oil works, I tried it, but it clung to the sides of the buttand created a black oily sludgy mess in the bottom dregs when the water in the butt was used up. I had to crawl in on my knees to scrub it out. I think @bédé’s tip of washing up liquid is worth a try, sounds far less messy!
How much olive oil did you use if it was enough to cover the sides and create an oily sludge in the bottom? It only requires a couple of drops.
Not much @KT53, it does indeed go a long way. The butt is wider at the top than the bottom and combined with the inevitable plant debris and dead bodies the concentrated bottom sludge was pretty disgusting.
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
And why Tonic Water? For it's uv effect? I'm not sure what is doing that; I am inspired to check. I would recommend that you reserve the Tonic for the gin, and use an Optical Whitening Agent (aka Optical Bleach, OWA, OBA). These are used in clothes washing detergents as a modern blueing agent
.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
It's a bit like gardening: it's luck, but you engineered it, and you recognise it when it comes.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
Any suggestions for mozzie deterrent for water which is for the birds would be appreciated.
How big is the birds water container? Can you not just clean it occasionally?
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
@bédé Just a hobby, I've sold prints to people that have asked for them, although I'm in the process of setting things up to sell my Astrophotography work which has been my obsession for the past 5 years.
How much olive oil did you use if it was enough to cover the sides and create an oily sludge in the bottom? It only requires a couple of drops.
Not much @KT53, it does indeed go a long way. The butt is wider at the top than the bottom and combined with the inevitable plant debris and dead bodies the concentrated bottom sludge was pretty disgusting.