Watercooling Liquid? What should I use???

[Jon187]

Hey guys, new to watercooling and just wondering what is the best liquid to use in my setup. I will be using a copper and aluminum setup so I need something to stop/slow the corrosion/battery effect. Some suggest antifreeze, same say watter wetter, some suggest methanol or even windshield washer fluid. What your secret recipe???


Thx for your help...

 

[Jeff7]

I too have heard to use distilled water along with either some Water Wetter, or maybe some antifreeze. I've not actually delved into water cooling yet though; there's still no room here to set up 3 PC's - main PC, secondary one as a backup and for TV recording duties, and the 3rd one will be water cooled; that's the one that has no space to sit.

 

[Elcs]

Im sorry but the obvious answer here has to be

Water

 

[Jon187]

Well I suppose that was just a little too obvious. I was referring to what should I add to distilled water.

Thx...

 

[Elcs]

Sorry, I get these turns where I just have to crack a joke to laugh at. Boredom does that sometimes

*twitch* *twitch*

 

[Dug]

Use distilled water and water wetter (not too much about a tablespoon will do). Change every three months.

Make sure not to use cheap hoses.

But why do you have aluminum in your setup? That is not recommended at all.

 

[Need4Speed]

Originally posted by: Dug
Change every three months.

hell, some people cant even change the oil in their car that often

 

[passign]

mines been runnin for 2 years (Koolance) i haven't changed it yet.. its at 92 f to chilly in there

 

[Jeff7181]

There's no reason you need to change the coolant in your water cooler. The reason you change fluids in cars is because they get contaminated. There's nothing in the cooling system in your PC to contaminate the coolant. Just use distilled water and if that water wetter stuff has some anti-corrosive additives, use that, otherwise I'd be tempted to put a little automotive anti-freeze in it to prevent corrosion. Also, distilled water is a must, not just tap water.

 

[Soldat]

i've heard of some people experiencing 'growth' in thier water.....fungi, algae and what-not i suppose. Maybe a capful of bleach?

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: Soldat
i've heard of some people experiencing 'growth' in thier water.....fungi, algae and what-not i suppose. Maybe a capful of bleach?

NO!!! use redline's water whetter, you can buy it from Pep Boys. It increases thermal conductivity of water AND prevents growth inside a system. Very good stuff, about 7 bucks a bottle (12 oz).

 

[teqwiz]

Check this out! I am doing my first Water project tommorrow, and I bought this premixed antifreeze. It comes pre mixed and highly reccomended by friends.

 

[Jeff7181]

Sounds like the guys who are convinced that mixing 92 octane gas with 87 octane gas, diesel fuel, and kerosine gives them more power and better gas mileage.

 

[sbw]

Liquid nitrogen

not even a chuckle, huh.

 

[beatle]

Ethelyne Glycol (antifreeze) has a lower thermal conductivity than water does. Its job is to keep the water in your radiator from freezing and from boiling. In a computer you shouldn't see temps near either extreme. There's no need for it in a computer radiator. Pure water and water wetter is what you should use. You might try a very tiny amount of dish soap if you can't find water wetter. Don't use too much or it will foam. Performance Buyers Club is a good place to buy water wetter if you want to order it.

 

[Blain]

I don't use any peltiers that would take my CPU below freezing. So I DON'T use any anti-freeze agents (Glycol or Methanol).

I DO use distilled water and a surfactant (dishwashing liquid, water wetter, purple ice, etc. etc. etc.).
Keep your case closed to eliminate light inside. Light only helps things grow in your cooling system. You may add a tad bit of bleach or maybe methanol to keep the growth down.