Note that if this unit is plugged into a USB power supply while batteries are fitted, there is a risk of non rechargeable cells exploding. YAY! The unit was pumping about 500mA into a set of non rechargeable cells and almost 800mA into a rechargeable set, which will fry them quite quickly and possibly cause them to vent.

I recommend disconnecting the battery holder.

This product is quite interesting just for the frame and the LED diffuser. It could be used on its own with your choice of LED tape as a custom mood light.

This one was faulty when it arrived, with one section of LED tape not showing the warm white. Easy fix though. The wire was very thin, so I'm surprised the others didn't pop off too.

The diffuser material is a bit too long, so it could be trimmed a bit. I noticed that both sides hadn't been seated properly all round, so there's a bit of finishing to do if you get one.

A search on eBay for "sandscape" will find these effects. Shop around, as there is a wide price difference for the same units. Some listings call them quicksand art.

If using a syringe to adjust the water or air ratio, it's important to use a thin pointed hypodermic needle, as it has to push through the silicon sealant between the glass. Adjustments are a delicate juggle of removing air or water and then topping up again with the opposite. Over pressurising risks damaging the glass or seal. The instructions with the unit suggest using sterile water, but I'm inclined to use a touch of disinfectant to avoid "stuff" growing between the glass layers.

Shaking the frame will break larger bubbles into smaller ones, but sometimes bigger bubbles work better.

It's possible this effect was discovered as a happy accident, with someone putting sand between two layers of glass and then adding water to slow its movement down, then seeing the effect of the bubbles. It appears the inventor may be William Tabar who patented the idea in 1985. The first ones were made in Salt Lake City, Utah.


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