If there isn't a constant current regulator (current limiter), its not a generator. Is this provided? Or is it just 2 silver wires hooked to a 12V power supply?
For sure, if you used the electrolyte, you did not have 10+V across the cell which is required. There seems to be no way to adjust cathode height which, for wires that gauge the cathode would probably not need to be submerged even 1/2".
For wires that thin, at room temp, you'd best be running 3ma or less but the other issue, as I stated above, is that you need 10V across the cell and with the electrolyte and the non-adjustable cathode, that isn't happening.