A few questions about wc

[Schteauxn]

I'm have a few questions about my wc setup
1. I'm getting a Maze3 from dangerden what fitting type is good to get? Chrome, polypropane or brass.
2. Should i get the lucite top. I think it looks nice but are there really some problems with this. I've read that it might leak but i'm not sure.
3. Whats the difference between purple ice and water wetter?(is one better then the other?)
4. Why are the eheims so much more expensive then the Via-Aqua 370GPH pump? is it worth the extra money?
5. and what kind of heatercore should i be getting? which are good?

[Iron Hawk]

1. Chrome looks the coolest, Poly is less likely to crack a plastic top if overtightened.
2. I have the lucite top, never had any problems with it, I have also removed it many times and removed the barbs from it and replaced them, like I said i havent had any problems. I think it looks cooler, but the copper to is definatly going to cut back on the potential leak risk.
3. I think water wetter is better, but i think they serve similar purposes. water wetter smells really bad when concentrated, im not sure about purple ice.
4. Eheims have a lifetime warrenty etc. Personaly i dont think it is worth the extra money, however some pople swear by them. I use the Via-Aqua 1300 and highly recomend it.
5. I use the '86 Chevette heater core. the '89 cammero core is also popular.

[Schteauxn]

Another question i have is about fitting size. What size is good 1/2 or 3/8?
I've seen that many heatercores have different fitting sizes then the sizes on the block. How do I match the tubing?
and i'm having trouble deciding between silicon and vinyl tubing? what are your opinions?
And i'd like to get some more opinions on the water wetter and the Purple ice.

[nikhsub1]

Originally posted by Schteauxn
Another question i have is about fitting size. What size is good 1/2 or 3/8?
I've seen that many heatercores have different fitting sizes then the sizes on the block. How do I match the tubing?
and i'm having trouble deciding between silicon and vinyl tubing? what are your opinions?
And i'd like to get some more opinions on the water wetter and the Purple ice.
I like 1/2" but remember this: 1/2" OD barbs are 3/8" ID. Some like to use 1/2" barbs with 3/8" ID tubing, I use 1/2" ID tubing on 1/2" barbs. If you get a heater core from an auto parts store, you will need to take the barbs off and put proper barbs on, kind of a pain. Or you can order from D-Tek and get the core with 1/2" barbs already on there. Much easier and only $29. As far as tubing I would go with Tygon or ClearFlex 60. Vinyl is OK, silicone is bad and is very pourous, it will absorb dye and Water Wetter, no good. WW and Purple Ice are basically the same thing, I only use it to prevent corrosion and critters, I don't think it REALLY lowers temps in a water cooled computer as the temps are not high enough.

[SkiFletch]

yeah, double check your barb size is the correct tube size. maze 3 blocks rule. get the via aqua, dont waste your money on an eheim. get poly fittings dude, cause if you ever drop your block, and it lands on the fitting, its better to break a poly fitting, then to have a chrome fitting tear out the threads on the top of your block.... water wetter and purple ice perform the same functions but are different colors. if you want a good CHEAP heatercore, get an 89 camaro or 86 chevette heatercore, and solder or jbweld two fittings on it. otherwise, buy a pre-fitted heatercore from DTek

[TonyMc]

I agree with everyone above. Get the Via Aqua. It's a liitle bit more noisy than the Eheim (I know, I run both), but you can't beat the "bang for buck". Also I don't like Water wetter or Purple Ice, I don't care for either color. I use Hyperlube Supercoolant. It's green and can be bought at most auto parts stores.