The Newb Guy

Im new to water cooling and I was wondering what kind of coolent is the best to use for a wc setup? Where can i get it? what's the stuff i have to put in so algae doesn't build up? How much should i mix in with the distilled water? I would also like the uv reactive ones if possible. Thanks

zone

http://algaekiller.com/

You can find it in the bath and spa section of your hardware store.
Another good place to look is anywhere that has indoor fountains, they usually sell bromide or something that should have the desired effect.

Another thing... Having a closed system (good pressure, darkness and no air) helps fight against algae and bacteria as they will not be able to grow.
The system also needs to be kept out of direct sunlight and contain as little air as possible (thus the importance to slightly tap your tubing after running it to help eliminate small air bubbles).

Whatever you do... don't put chlorine in the water although some people might tell you to do it. Chlorine dissolves plastic, causes corrosion and generally smells bad !

I simply use the coolant that comes with Thermaltake's kit. I have been running my water cooling loop for over 5 months and I haven't experienced any problem so far.
Their coolant is also UV reactive.

soloz2

plain distilled water with about 5% additive is probably the best performance wise. You can get more expensive non-conductive fluid but it typically does not give as good performance and it will eventually become conductive.

swiftech hydrex is pretty good and uv green

I use distilled water and about 5% zerex super coolant. I also add a few drops of frozencpu blue uv dye. there are lots of pics in the links in my sig.

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The Newb Guy

so would i have to use 5% additive, distilled water, uv dye, and a algae killer in a mixture? To make it uv reactive and algae free. Or the additive has the algae killer in it already?

accskyman

Theres also non conductive liquid you can purchase to put in your system, it costs a bit more but if you spring a leak your not going to damage your equiptment, aside from the overheating if you don't catch it in time.

link:
http://www.dtekcustoms.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=139

Not sure exactly if it cools as good as water or anythingelse you can get, but its a good option for the people just getting into liquid cooling.

PS: I've actually seen a custom case filled with this stuff, aside from the I/O Panel that was sticking slightly above the water, and the PSU was above it aswell.

soloz2

the additive would be your algae killer. (pretty much the coolant makes it really hard for algae to grow. your main concern now is corossion)

some popular additives:
swiftech hydrex
zerex super coolant
water wetter
antifreeze
cosworth super racing coolant

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The Newb Guy

So all i have to do is buy one of those additves from ur list and mix it with distilled water and its done? Unless I want uv then i have to add uv dye. Is this correct?

Allen

you can go right down to wal-mart and go to the pet section over by the fish tanks and buy some algae stuff and some instant chlorine remover i think its like 2 or 3 drops for every gallon

soloz2

yes that is correct.

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quick64

I resent that, I always smell like chlorine...