2009 Poll: How do you fill/refill your cooling loop?

[muddocktor]

This poll is one of a series of polls designed to give members the opportunity to see what the membership as a whole have chosen in regards to some of the more common cooling choices. This particular poll is for members to show what kind of cooling fluid fill/refill method is being used by them. It will also give anyone who feels the need, the opportunity to explain why they have chosen that method and possibly help others decide on what their next cooling fill method will be. This poll, along with the others will be stuck in the appropriate section and will be open for one year, after which a new poll will be set in place to allow future members to show their choices, current members to list any changes in their choices, and to allow members to track shifts in trends over an extended period.

Having said that, how do you fill or top up your loop, do you use a t-line, a reservoir or another method? The "another method" could be anything such as immersing the whole system underwater and then, once it has been filled, sealing it up completely before removing it from the water or using both a t-line and a reservoir. As always, please give any detail you think may be of use to others, especially if you have an unconventional setup.

NOTE: This is a direct cut-n-paste of eobard's old thread on this subject. I thought this one was a good poll to continue, so I have made a new poll for us to let everone know their preference.

The old poll can be found here (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=397820).

[muddocktor]

I'll lead off here. I am a reservoir man myself. I either use a dedicated res or I use radiators that have a reservoir built into them (Swiftech Res rads). I find a reservoir is just easier to handle for me.

[Nebulous]

I use a "T"-line or the "Y"-line. I prefer it because it doesn't take up space and it's easier to conceal.

Tho it takes a bit more time to fill & bleed, it just takes a bit of patience.

[DarkFury]

i did both ways , res was easy until you get to those stupid 5.25 bays that have the stupid in and out leveld with each other! ,

with t line i used a 60 cc syringe and it took forever and i had to make a switch to turn on and off the pump ... but it was worth it

[corruption]

I started off with a T-Line, but always wanted to try a res. I currently use a Swiftech MicroRes and I'm happy with how quickly I can purge the air from the rad. When I upgrade my system and redo my loop, I'll definitely use a res again.

[Spawn-Inc]

there should be a smart ass option "Carefully" :)

Tline is what i started with and will stick with until i get a mountain mods case and some laing 355's with XSPC res tops. or i will get microres's.

[baditude_df]

Depends on the build. If it's in a case I tend to go with a T-line because of the versatility they offer. If I have the space, always a res. The bleed time is WAYYYYY shorter. I currently have a res on my bench and I don't think I'll ever go back unless I have to.

[bryan_d]

Y-Line here too. I do so, as it allowed my loop to be compact, and it ease filling. :)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/bryan_d/Picture387.jpg

bryan d

[downer]

I used a T-Line for long while, but switched over to a Swiftech Micro-Res. The res is much easier to fill and bleed. Also in my current setup, a reservoir was actually easier to implement than a T-Line.

I could go either way, but kind of prefer a T-Line because of it's simplicity.

[HDCHOPPER]

at the pump top up hole

[Tweaked!]

I've had both setups and I find that I like having the res. It's just easier for me to handle, and visually keep up with cleaning, bleeding, and filling. :cool:

[dealmaster]

Reservoir man myself. Mainly because the XSPC Res Top gave the best pump performance and had the added benefit of simplifying my loop.

[Gunlance]

T-Line all the way. They are cheap and easy to use. I personally think it makes the loop look cleaner. I have had my eyes on the EK line of reservoirs though.

[shazza]

XSPC Res tops here as well. But, most important tool is my Funnel (99 cents from Walgreens):


Funnel Pic (http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/442727314_BBNNJ-M.jpg)

[CptDreadFlint]

With Rum?

[markp1989]

XSPC Res tops here as well. But, most important tool is my Funnel (99 cents from Walgreens):


Funnel Pic (http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/442727314_BBNNJ-M.jpg)

i have an xspc restop aswell, i like it, compact, and easy to fill and bleed

[enhanced]

im not currently under water but i have always used a res. i think i may go with a T in my next build. depends on my case and space

[BobbyBubblehead]

Large res for my main system because its a large loop over two cases and takes a fair bit of filling. easy to prime the loop with a large res.

[Boulard83]

Directly to the res, Its on the top of my loop.

[jr1]

res for sure as i find it easy to fill and bleed

[Bobnova]

I will be using a res, probably a one gallon bucket(no space/looks concerns), if not simply the top header tank of an automotive radiator.
Right now, i use nothing as i'm still on air cooling.

[darkpyro1]

I rock a reservoir. Its really nice. I love it!

[Jeffery_Paul]

Res for sure. Wouldn't give a T-line time of day (personal preference, if others like T-lines no worries)
I use the swiftech mcres micro v2, its fantastic. Nice and compact, option of having outlet on bottom or side (I use bottom) and I have a section of tubing with a barb in the bottom of it that I screw in to the top port of the res so I have a fill line that extends out of the case, no spilling into the case. just unscrew the barb with the hose, screw in a stop fitting and away u go!

[hokiealumnus]

Appears I voted but didn't comment. Reservoir without a doubt. The ease of filling a loop with the XSPC Res Top on an MCP355 can't be beat, at least IMHO. :)

[Diggrr]

I unscrew the fill port on my QP Res/Rad and pour water in/out.
I had to solder in a fill port on my old heatercore, being pre-made has made things a tad easier.

[Conumdrum]

Bucket. Some water reaches the fillport.

[Alchemy1]

XSPC Res tops here as well. But, most important tool is my Funnel (99 cents from Walgreens):


Funnel Pic (http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/442727314_BBNNJ-M.jpg)

Same here...my .99 funnel came from Wal-Mart though.

[Conumdrum]

My funnel was even worse... 3 funnels for .99 at a $ store. Still use the bucket tho, the smoke n flames n sparks make such good Christmas cheer!

[gcs8]

i lean one of my rez's over a bucket turn the pump off un do a clamp and pull the tube off then run the pump for a sec (exturnal pump power he he). then run some clean water throw it then hook it all back up and fill up the rez. i do it the hard way.

[kInOzAwA]

i use reservoir to fill-in the fluid. it's the easier method for me :)

[4GHZ_or_bust]

Res myself. I tried the T line once and it took a while to bleed air and add water especially for a new system that was assembled dry.

[dark bishop]

T-line as a breather and a tap I put in the end of the radiator.