VIA Aqua VA1300 Water Pump $13.60 + s/h

[normalicy]

Heck of a deal in my opinion. It was $13.60 + $7.70 s/h for me. Got good reviews from what I can find. It does have problems with leakage, but as mentioned below, using it submerged (the method I prefer, because it also keeps the pump quiet & cooler) solves that or there are ways to seal it. Always check for leaks for a day before using any water cooling system in the actual computer.

VIA Aqua VA1300 for $13.60

Here's a REVIEW of the unit as well as a suggestion to keep it from leaking.

Here's a MOD (courtesy of Ronnie) to quiet it down.

 

[kamranziadar]

Great price, but is it DC or AC pump

 

[kaborka]

From the review:

110v pumps are where it is at; they are powerful, relatively inexpensive and compact. Hydor, Maxi-Jet, Via-Aqua and Eheim are but a notable few of the choices you have.

From this I guess it would be a 110v pump. Sounds worth a shot for this price.

 

[Greenman]

Had one, it found a new place to leak every week. You will also need to mod the impeller or they chatter. Also be very careful installing fittings into the pump, the housing is fragile and will crack. Mine might have just been a dud, but I ended up tossing it and getting a Hydor.

 

[kaborka]

I already dropped the dime on this. Do you have a link or can you tell me about the impeller mod? How would you compare the Via's noise level to other pumps (after you made the mod)?

 

[Ronnie]

http://www.wc101.com/guides/ViaAqua/

 

[Greenman]

It's very quiet after the mod, not as loud as a fan.

 

[kaborka]

Thanks very much for the link. This should go well with the Apogee waterblock I got last week from another HD thread. Now I just need to settle on a chipset waterblock for my Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe and I'll be good to go. Thanks to OP for the hot (well, hopefully very COOL) deal!

 

[bigpow]

Nice find on that 1300.
I just bought a VA2300 for $30 shipped

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: kaborka
Thanks very much for the link. This should go well with the Apogee waterblock I got last week from another HD thread. Now I just need to settle on a chipset waterblock for my Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe and I'll be good to go. Thanks to OP for the hot (well, hopefully very COOL) deal!

A few people have used this block as a chipset cooler, don't know if it will work on your board.
http://www.sharkacomputers.com/zagwvgacawab.html

 

[kaborka]

Originally posted by: Greenman
A few people have used this block as a chipset cooler, don't know if it will work on your board.
http://www.sharkacomputers.com/zagwvgacawab.html

Hey, thanks for that link -- looks like a good option. I'll find out if it will work. DangerDen has a waterblock specifically for this board. I would prefer to get one that would work on different boards. That Zalman kit would be a great deal if it works, particularly if I can use one of the blocks on my 6600GT and the other on the mobo!

 

[Greenman]

Bear in mind that they have small barbs, 1/4" I think. So you won't be able to run a loop, you will have to use reducing tee's on the supply and return lines. A lot of people don't like doing that, they think little or no water will run through the smaller line. In my system it works just fine, with pleanty of flow.

 

[KIAman]

I have had my VIA Aqua 1300 pump in my watercooling rig for over a year with no problems and going strong. These are probably the best deals in water pumps. I got mine at doctorfostersmith or someplace like that for 12 bux including shipping.

Not super strong (6ft head), and not that efficient (31 watts) but for half the price for similar rated pumps, you can't beat that.

 

[KingThot]

Ok, sounds like this is a killer deal if you're a WC pro and can quiet it down w/ a mod, correctly apply epoxy to fix leaks etc. but what about a AC n00b? I'm wanting to get my feet wet so to speak and am wondering if this is a good pick for a pump. I like the price compared to eheims I've looked at but is the price dif. worth this extra hassle?

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: KingThot
Ok, sounds like this is a killer deal if you're a WC pro and can quiet it down w/ a mod, correctly apply epoxy to fix leaks etc. but what about a AC n00b? I'm wanting to get my feet wet so to speak and am wondering if this is a good pick for a pump. I like the price compared to eheims I've looked at but is the price dif. worth this extra hassle?

I don't think so. I found the one I had to be a cheap pump. It could be that I just got a dud, but a pump that leaks because of poor quality plastic parts isn't worth owning in my book. If it was used as a submerged pump, as it's intendend, the leaks wouldn't matter. But leaking out the bottom of my computer case is a HUGE deal. If I hadn't noticed it would have ruined the hardwood floor in my office.

 

[kaborka]

Originally posted by: KIAman
I got mine at doctorfostersmith or someplace like that for 12 bux including shipping.

link. No longer 12bux, and shipping ain't cheap.

 

[Gast]

This is a typical price for this pump (after shipping). So if you arn't sure if this is for you, take your time to figure it out. You won't be missing out on a killer deal or anything.

I have this pump, the plastic used to make this is a bit weak, so don't put any undue stress on the thing. So long as your careful with attaching/detaching the hose, and you add a bit of silicone to all the threads, etc. then you should be fine. It's a great little pump ESP for the price. It's hard to beat $20 for a good wc pump.

 

[KingThot]

Thanks for the help.

Quick n00b question for you Gast, what do you mean by add a bit of silicone to all the threads?

 

[normalicy]

Bump for clarifying some of the stuff about the pump.