Tonic water is available at most local stores and supermarkets for just a few dollars. Be sure to get tonic water, not club soda or soda water. The bottle should say “with quinine” or something similar.
Black lights are available from specialty party stores (like Spencer’s, etc. ) or online. The price for the black light often depends on its size and brightness — basic lights can cost as little as $20 or less.
Tonic water glows this way because of tiny chemicals called “phosphors” inside the liquid. When ultraviolet light from the black light (which humans can’t see) hits the phosphors, they convert it into a form that humans can see, producing the glow. [3] X Research source
You can use any color, but yellow is the most likely to glow in the dark consistently. Any brand of highlighter should work, but you can try neon colored markers of a non-highlighter variety as well. It is easiest to see if they glow in a room that is completely dark, allowing for no light pollution.
Note that this method will ruin your highlighter marker — it won’t work when you’re done.
Uncap the highlighter. Use a pair of pliers (or your hands if you don’t mind getting messy) to pull the felt out of the tip. Use pliers to pry off the bottom of the marker. Carefully pull the ink tube out, taking care not to spill or mark your clothing.
You can leave the ink tube and felt in the water when the ink is done mixing or you can fish them out — it’s up to you.
Unlike tonic water, the glowing water from this method is not safe to drink.
Similar to highlighters, any neon color of paint will work, but lemon yellow and lime green are the most effective.
Warm or hot water will help to dissolve the paint faster. If you let the water sit for a long time, the paint may begin to separate. Prepare this glow water for use immediately after stirring.
This mixture is not safe to drink.
One or more glow sticks Scissors Dish soap Hydrogen peroxide Waterproof gloves
Glow sticks are available at party stores and many department stores (especially around Halloween. ) They are generally very cheap — a 100-pack can cost as little as $12. [5] X Research source Try to find the largest glowsticks available, so that your water can offer the most luminescence as possible.
Be careful — remember that each glow stick contains broken glass.
The two chemicals in a glow stick are diphenyl oxalate (in the plastic tube) and hydrogen peroxide (in the inner glass vial. )[6] X Research source When you crack the tube, the glass vial breaks and the two chemicals mix, producing light. Adding extra hydrogen peroxide is the same as adding more of the chemical in the glass vial, which makes the reaction brighter. Dish soap contains chemicals that reduce the surface tension of the water, making it easier for the hydrogen peroxide and the diphenyl oxalate to mix.
The two chemicals in a glow stick are diphenyl oxalate (in the plastic tube) and hydrogen peroxide (in the inner glass vial. )[6] X Research source When you crack the tube, the glass vial breaks and the two chemicals mix, producing light. Adding extra hydrogen peroxide is the same as adding more of the chemical in the glass vial, which makes the reaction brighter. Dish soap contains chemicals that reduce the surface tension of the water, making it easier for the hydrogen peroxide and the diphenyl oxalate to mix.
This mixture is not safe to drink.
