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Thinking of Going Water

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White_Pawn

Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2005
Location
Vancouver, Canada
Hey guys, its been almost 2 years now, of being a computer enthusaist, and i think its fair to say that i'm almost ready for water. (all except for having a the money to fund for my little project.) I'm only cooling cpu for now.

Anyway, i'm getting a swiftch storm block and a dual 120mm radiator (not that good but i can live with it for awhile.) I'm getting tubes and clamps and aquarium-grade algaecide from homedepot, so the only two questions left.

1. What is a good price/performance/noise pump? I know tyreal says getting a good pump like his $100+ swiftech one is a good idea, but is there anything slightly cheaper?

2. Do i need a resevoir? I know it'll be easier changing the water with a res, i've also heard something about not worrying about air getting trapped in the tubes with a res.

For solution, i'll be using distilled with some poisonous algaecide from tyreal. Although having somje of those coloured solutions also appeals to me. I've seen a purple/green/blue ones. Are those any good?

All opinions welcome. :beer:
 
Well, he is right about the pump. Not the piece you want to skimp on.

Low cost:

http://www.crazypc.com/products/hydor_l35-9339.html


Higher but under $100:

http://www.crazypc.com/products/9336.html


I prefer a t-line to a res. Its all a matter of preference.

A res is harder to bleed as far as i know. And for air in the tubes, that will happen no matter what you do and will need to be bled out.

I would be careful about mixing dyes with that algecide you want to use. Never know what will happen.

Personally I use distilled water and purple ice. Never had the need for anti algae specific liquids.
 
For the pump:

$75, but a very good pump

http://www.petrastechshop.com/lad5smcin12v.html

If you want to use a t-line or a reservoir depends on how much room you have. If you have room, I would go for using a reservoir. You can get one that goes in one of your bay drives if needed. Also if you don't have room, a T-line works well. But it makes the system hard to bleed. (bubbles and all)
 
A system with a res is harder to bleed than a t-line. With a t-line you can get the air pockets out by tilting the case almost 90 degrees if your t-line is long enough. You cannot do that with a res.

Even with a res your gonna get bubbles in the rad most times.
 
If you're using 1/2" tubing get a copper 1/2x1/2x3/4" T and use 3/4" line for your T-line. Not only do you get about half the storage (per 1' of tubing) of a MicroRes but bleeding is much quicker, too. Very few bubbles get past the 3/4" part of the T. It also helps if your tubing leaves the T going (at least slightly) downhill - it slows the bubbles down even more ... :)
 
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