Hi, I have a flower aquarium. If you haven't seen one it like an upside down goldfish bowl. It has a rubber seal in which there are holes to put the flowers in. You then submerge the flowers in the aquarium. When filled it looks like a big paperweight. In order for the flowers to last you have to put a liquid in the water and it creates bubbles that cling to the flowers. The problem is is that I have forgotten what the liquid is. Can you help please?

Welcome to the site!
The few sites that talk about it, suggest you just use cool water.

I've never heard of that before, but I would think some hydrogen peroxide would liberate some oxygen. What proportion with the water do you remember using?

glycerin?

Oh interesting: wondering what the thoughts are behind glycerin and how it might work.

I don't know if they still use it now, but it used to be used to dry (certain) plants and still keep them somewhat supple. The idea is for the glycerin to replace the water in plant tissue.

I've never heard of such a thing but, Googling I came up with a listing on Amazon where they are selling vegetable Glycerin with the globes as "Frequently Bought Together." Also snowflakes so I guess it really could be a snowglobe.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00294H1PM/

I'd love to see a photo.

My aunt used to use glycerin in the drying process for magnolias. The results were remarkable! However I don't understand how it would apply in this case.

I can see how preservation might work; it's the bubbles the OP speaks of that confuse me.

I had one a long time ago, decades even. Water was the liquid the instructions called for and what I used. Large single blossoms worked best, if I remember correctly.

This one on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZVPSV93/
has instructions that include: "Easy to use, simply fill the glass globe with water, arrange your flowers and seal shut with a snap and display."

A reviewer, however, states: "I have had my Flower Aquarium for over 40 years. Arrange flowers in plastic frog. Check height so not closer than 2 inches from top of globe. Add 2-3 tablespoons of white vinegar to globe and fill globe to the brim with water. Carefully insert flowers in frog into globe that is filled with water. Work the outside of frog edge onto globe. Turn right side up and place in bottom of base. May take a day or two for tiny bubbles to clear. All done!"

Hope that helps!

From my understanding, the globes with water and flowers will extend the life of the blooms longer than if they were standing in a vase of water but they will not last forever. The globes should come with a "flower frog" that you would insert the flower stem into for securing in place. Then you fill the globe with water, place the lid on and twist to seal it.

Coincidentally, a well known gesneriad grower just posted this on Gesneriphiles:

Underwater Design - Best Flowers

•Saintpaulia
•Aeschynanathus
•Columnea esp. linearifolia
•Nematanthus (will separate from calyx; glue corolla separately

Underwater Design – Worst Flowers
•Streptocarpus
•Primulina