The instructions with this effect do not explain how to make the water quickly dark and then quickly clear again. I have tried bleach, but the change takes too long. Any ideas would be appreciated!

Thanks.

Jim

Look for the books on Chemical Magic.

It can be done with Iron3, Tanic acid, and oxalic acid.
All can be bought on ebay.

Randi

Thanks for the lead, Randi. I will give the book a try first...

Regards,

Jim

Here is a link from google that gives you some formulas. http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/demos/pickadrink.htm

Make sure a chemist mixes it for you.

Thanks, MT! Will do!

Jim

The Jonathan Pendragon video explains it very well as well as spells the chemicals out. Called sands of the desert

The video shows how to do all the changes as well as the routine he uses

I performed this a lot about 37 years ago. I used a small amount of "tinctured ferric chloride" added to the water. A measured amount of "tannic acid" folded into a pack of water soluable paper. This pack reacted with the treated water to change it black. A measured amount of "oxalic acid" folded into a packet of water soluable paper. This pack cleared the water. The amounts of chemicals used is dependant on the amount of water to be used and some experimentation will be necessary to achieve the desired effect. Hope this helps!