Questions about my first attempt at water cooling

[0mgBoB]

Hello everyone this is my first post and my first attempt at water cooling.
I spent months doing research on water cooling and researching the parts. However, I have obviously overlooked some details as I feel that the loops is not running as it should be.
First off this is the precursor to the final build which will be a PC table. So I’d like to work out the bugs before I’ve committed to a loop under a 38” x 63” sheet of tempered glass. Adjustments will be a huge undertaking then.
I’ll post 3 lists of parts; First build, current state and what I have and/or plan for the final build. I figure this way all the information will be out there to get the best advise.

First build parts list.

Case: Thermaltake Tower 900 Snow Edition
http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002975

Motherboard/CPU block: ASUS ROG Maximus IX Extreme LGA1151
https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/ROG-MAXIMUS-IX-EXTREME/

GPU/ SLI: Dual ASUS ROG Poseidon GeForce® GTX 1080 TI 11GB Platinum Edition
https://www.asus.com/us/Graphics-Cards/ROG-POSEIDON-GTX1080TI-P11G-GAMING/

Radiator #1: Thermaltake Pacific RL420 Radiator
http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002648

Radiator #2: Thermaltake Pacific RL560 Radiator
http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002649

Reservoir x2: Aqualis XT 450 ml with nano coating
https://shop.aquacomputer.de/product_info.php?language=en&products_id=2917

Pump x2: Aquastream ULTIMATE
https://shop.aquacomputer.de/product_info.php?products_id=3379

Fan controller: Aquaero 6 XT
https://shop.aquacomputer.de/product_info.php?products_id=3737
Also included in the loop with: Passive heatsink and waterblock
heat sink: https://shop.aquacomputer.de/product_info.php?products_id=3175
Waterblock: https://shop.aquacomputer.de/product_info.php?products_id=2671

Tubing: PrimoFlex Advanced LRT Flexible Tubing - 3/8in.ID x 5/8in.OD
https://www.primochill.com/products...-8in-od-retail-bundle-10ft-pack-crystal-clear

Fittings: Monsoon G1/4" to 3/8" ID, 5/8" OD Chain Gun Compression Fitting
http://www.performance-pcs.com/mons...-fittings-3-8-x-5-8-4-pack-white.html#Details
The ones that I received do not have the white barb but a silver colored barb. I would assume that this would still be the same marine grade brass as stated. I also bought a 4 pack of red fittings that came with the same barb, not the colored ones that all the pictures seem to show matching the color of the compression fittings.

Misc fitting adaptors:
90 degree adapter
Bitspower G 1/4" Deep Blood Red Rotary 90 Degree IG 1/4" Adapter
http://www.performance-pcs.com/bitspower-g-1-4-deep-blood-red-rotary-90-degree-ig-1-4-adapter.html

45 degree adaptors:
Enzotech G1/4" 45° Rotary Fitting, Chrome
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B0YC4GM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fitting extension:
Swiftech G1/4" 15mm Male to Female Lok-Seal Fitting
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V2RPIJI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Temperature sensors: 8x Temperature sensor internal/external thread G1/4
https://shop.aquacomputer.de/product_info.php?products_id=2293

I started to assemble the loop on January 17th when the last of the parts arrived. It wasn’t to terribly difficult. Flushing the rads and blocks, assembly, leak test, 3 hours running with the system prep fluid that came with the primochill tubing and then finally flushing the prep fluid and adding the final fill with the biocide included with the tubing. The loop direction went:
Res 1>Pump1>Aquero>CPU>GPU1>GPU2>Res2>Pump2>Rad1>Rad2

The system ran great, no temp issues at all. Fans rarely ran at a noticeable speed. The pumps registered a flow rate of 21/Lph. This was a huge drop from the 100+/Lph they would register before connected to the full loop. Reducing the waterfall effect of the reservoirs to a barely noticeable dribble. The rate still seemed to be within an acceptable range so I did not delve further into that.
About 3 week in I noticed that the water in the reservoirs and tubing was starting to cloud up. I left it alone and watched it closely while looking up possible reason for the cloudy water. About a week later I noticed that Res2 was almost empty and had leaked. Water pooled up underneath and under the case. No issues with components as the way this case is designed all the electronic parts are near the top.
I immediately shut down and unplugged. Inspecting the fittings there was no obvious signs of leakage there. Seems that Res2 leaked at the cylinder to base connection. While removing Res2 I drained the system, reconfigured the loop direction and placed the pumps inline. New flow pattern:
Res1>Pump1>Pump2>Aquero>CPU>GPU1>GPU2>Rad1>Rad2
The flow rate was still about the same. The visiale flow meter in the monoblock no longer spins.
Issues I noticed, the tubing had white powdery substance on the inside. I cut a piece open, it was dry and powdery. No sludge. Some of the fitting barbs had a white/pinkish gooey substance within. I had cleaned off as much as I could without tearing the blocks open. I failed to take pictures of the fitting then.


Now 3-4 weeks later I had the cloudy water issue again. I drained the system and removed the pumps, Res1, 3 of 4 45 degree fitting adaptors, 15mm fitting extensions and Aquero.
New parts added are;
Pump/res combo: Enermax NEOChanger 400ml RGB LED Reservoir and Pump
http://www.enermax.com/home.php?fn=eng/product_a1_1_1&lv0=109&lv1=112&no=357

Flow meter: Bykski Metal Water(Liquid) Cooling Flow Meter / indicator
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MY7M4OF/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Neither flow indicator moves after installing into the loop. The water is flowing but at very slow rate. No meters hooked up so I can’t give an estimated Lph.
The system was flushed with system prep for 48 hours then drained and refilled with biocide added and a silver kill coil placed into the loop.
24 hours after the refill and bleeding an air bubble showed up at the outflow of GPU2. The flow rate is not strong enough to put the bubble down through the line, it just sits there, laughing at me.
Visual inspection of the fittings I feel are worse than before. The gooey sludge was no longer there however the fittings and plugs on the GPUs, and all temperature sensors now had blueish white coloring with spots. This look to me as corrosion. I will upload pictures later. The 45 degree adapters all have a white powdery coating on the inside. It does not come off very well when wiping it with Qtips after it has dried. The barbs on the compression fitting on the GPUs have the same coloring/coating as the temp sensors. No other barbs had any noticeable issues other than a light white powder coating the wiped away with ease.

So my question is what is making the water cloudy? Is this normal, a plasticiser issue, mixed metal issue or poor biocide/ additive? I have not found definitive information as to what the Asus blocks are made out of but I am committed to these parts for the final build as they are to costly to replace. Unless I can sell them and buy something else later on.

The final build includes all the same parts, pump and reservoirs aside, with the exception of the Radiators. The final build will utilize two 840mm full copper/copper finned radiators instead of the 420 and 560 rads.

Radiators x2: Airplex modularity system 840 mm
https://shop.aquacomputer.de/product_info.php?products_id=3364

So know for sure how much copper will be within the final loop what are my options with the current unknown pre built blocks?

 

[Silver Surfer]

You didn't by any chance throw a silver coil in with the BioCide did you?

All the components look good except the tight curved 90s and 45s fittings, I've found myself that the slower the curve the less flow restriction so I always use these.

http://www.performance-pcs.com/bits...red-dual-rotary-90-degree-ig1-4-extender.html

http://www.performance-pcs.com/bits...ree-compression-fitting-id-3-8-od-5-8-v3.html

The white powder coating could be a reaction of BioCide and nickel plating, which is probably in the monoblock?

(Couldn't find much internal detail on that monoblock?)

As for the white powdery coating I had that happen severely in my earlier days when running an old XSPC setup that had the pump in the bay reservoir and a silver kill coil.

It seems the electromagnetic field the pump generated inside the water accelerated a coating phenomenon with the silver kill coil in the reservoir as well.

It would happen very fast in about a week of operation.

On a personal note: I've always been partial to D5 style pumps, I'm not familiar with the ones you're running.

Even though the last pump/res Neochanger looks like a D5 that Enermax has put their bling on?

Edit: These types of water blocks like you've listed add extreme flow restriction, https://shop.aquacomputer.de/product_info.php?products_id=2671, I never ever use these or the flow indicators!

Sorry my bad! Your post is long after rereading I see you did add a Silver Kill Coil, (My 2 Cents), take it out and throw it in the trash!

 

[GTXJackBauer]

For a second I thought silver was the OP. Then I realized, he was talking to someone who doesn't exist. LOL!

 

[EarthDog]

You dont see omgbob's post? The first in the thread?

 

[GTXJackBauer]

Nope, nothing, nada, zilch.

 

[Lochekey]

I can't see the first post either. Silvers post is the first one and the menu shows Silver as the OP

 

[Silver Surfer]

The Thread header shows I started this thread?

Well this is not my thread, ROFL

@ Earthdog, If it cannot be corrected just delete the thread, Please?

 

[0mgBoB]

What happened to my post? Oh I never posted the pics.

- - - Updated - - -

This pitting and bluish green stuff is what I'm really concerned about.

 

[Lochekey]

It might help if you can repost the original question for the rest of us so we might be able to help.

Some of that white powdery stuff might be plasticizer, what type of tubing was in your system?

 

[0mgBoB]

I was told on another site that this is from the aluminum in the thermal take rads. Thermaltake rep said that the anti corrosion coating should prevent mixed metal issues. Though the rep could not verify what the coating was.
No worries there, I'll be returning them tomorrow and running the copper aquacomputer 840mm rads. They we're just to big to fit in the case. I had to build a side table to house them.
The enermax res/pump is a D5. Its loud, the aquastream pumps were virtually silent. They may have been fine, I did not factor in the tight curve restrictions. I just received a swiftech D5 to add to the line.

- - - Updated - - -

Kk I'll repost it in a few minutes

 

[0mgBoB]

Hello everyone this is my first post and my first attempt at water cooling.
I spent months doing research on water cooling and researching the parts. However, I have obviously overlooked some details as I feel that the loops is not running as it should be.
First off this is the precursor to the final build which will be a PC table. So I’d like to work out the bugs before I’ve committed to a loop under a 38” x 63” sheet of tempered glass. Adjustments will be a huge undertaking then.
I’ll post 3 lists of parts; First build, current state and what I have and/or plan for the final build. I figure this way all the information will be out there to get the best advise.

First build parts list.



Case: Thermaltake Tower 900 Snow Edition

http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002975



Motherboard/CPU block: ASUS ROG Maximus IX Extreme LGA1151

https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/ROG-MAXIMUS-IX-EXTREME/



GPU/ SLI: Dual ASUS ROG Poseidon GeForce® GTX 1080 TI 11GB Platinum Edition

https://www.asus.com/us/Graphics-Cards/ROG-POSEIDON-GTX1080TI-P11G-GAMING/



Radiator #1: Thermaltake Pacific RL420 Radiator

http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002648



Radiator #2: Thermaltake Pacific RL560 Radiator

http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002649



Reservoir x2: Aqualis XT 450 ml with nano coating

https://shop.aquacomputer.de/product_info.php?language=en&products_id=2917



Pump x2: Aquastream ULTIMATE

https://shop.aquacomputer.de/product_info.php?products_id=3379



Fan controller: Aquaero 6 XT

https://shop.aquacomputer.de/product_info.php?products_id=3737

Also included in the loop with: Passive heatsink and waterblock

heat sink: https://shop.aquacomputer.de/product_info.php?products_id=3175

Waterblock: https://shop.aquacomputer.de/product_info.php?products_id=2671



Tubing: PrimoFlex Advanced LRT Flexible Tubing - 3/8in.ID x 5/8in.OD

https://www.primochill.com/products...-8in-od-retail-bundle-10ft-pack-crystal-clear



Fittings: Monsoon G1/4" to 3/8" ID, 5/8" OD Chain Gun Compression Fitting

http://www.performance-pcs.com/mons...-fittings-3-8-x-5-8-4-pack-white.html#Details

The ones that I received do not have the white barb but a silver colored barb. I would assume that this would still be the same marine grade brass as stated. I also bought a 4 pack of red fittings that came with the same barb, not the colored ones that all the pictures seem to show matching the color of the compression fittings.



Misc fitting adaptors:
90 degree adapter
Bitspower G 1/4" Deep Blood Red Rotary 90 Degree IG 1/4" Adapter
http://www.performance-pcs.com/bitspower-g-1-4-deep-blood-red-rotary-90-degree-ig-1-4-adapter.html



45 degree adaptors:

Enzotech G1/4" 45° Rotary Fitting, Chrome

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B0YC4GM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1



Fitting extension:

Swiftech G1/4" 15mm Male to Female Lok-Seal Fitting

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V2RPIJI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1



Temperature sensors: 8x Temperature sensor internal/external thread G1/4

https://shop.aquacomputer.de/product_info.php?products_id=2293



I started to assemble the loop on January 17th when the last of the parts arrived. It wasn’t to terribly difficult. Flushing the rads and blocks, assembly, leak test, 3 hours running with the system prep fluid that came with the primochill tubing and then finally flushing the prep fluid and adding the final fill with the biocide included with the tubing. The loop direction went:
Res 1>Pump1>Aquero>CPU>GPU1>GPU2>Res2>Pump2>Rad1>Rad2

The system ran great, no temp issues at all. Fans rarely ran at a noticeable speed. The pumps registered a flow rate of 21/Lph. This was a huge drop from the 100+/Lph they would register before connected to the full loop. Reducing the waterfall effect of the reservoirs to a barely noticeable dribble. The rate still seemed to be within an acceptable range so I did not delve further into that.
About 3 week in I noticed that the water in the reservoirs and tubing was starting to cloud up. I left it alone and watched it closely while looking up possible reason for the cloudy water. About a week later I noticed that Res2 was almost empty and had leaked. Water pooled up underneath and under the case. No issues with components as the way this case is designed all the electronic parts are near the top.
I immediately shut down and unplugged. Inspecting the fittings there was no obvious signs of leakage there. Seems that Res2 leaked at the cylinder to base connection. While removing Res2 I drained the system, reconfigured the loop direction and placed the pumps inline. New flow pattern:

Res1>Pump1>Pump2>Aquero>CPU>GPU1>GPU2>Rad1>Rad2
The flow rate was still about the same. The visiale flow meter in the monoblock no longer spins.
Issues I noticed, the tubing had white powdery substance on the inside. I cut a piece open, it was dry and powdery. No sludge. Some of the fitting barbs had a white/pinkish gooey substance within. I had cleaned off as much as I could without tearing the blocks open. I failed to take pictures of the fitting then.


Now 3-4 weeks later I had the cloudy water issue again. I drained the system and removed the pumps, Res1, 3 of 4 45 degree fitting adaptors, 15mm fitting extensions and Aquero.
New parts added are;
Pump/res combo: Enermax NEOChanger 400ml RGB LED Reservoir and Pump

http://www.enermax.com/home.php?fn=eng/product_a1_1_1&lv0=109&lv1=112&no=357



Flow meter: Bykski Metal Water(Liquid) Cooling Flow Meter / indicator

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MY7M4OF/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Neither flow indicator moves after installing into the loop. The water is flowing but at very slow rate. No meters hooked up so I can’t give an estimated Lph.
The system was flushed with system prep for 48 hours then drained and refilled with biocide added and a silver kill coil placed into the loop.
24 hours after the refill and bleeding an air bubble showed up at the outflow of GPU2. The flow rate is not strong enough to put the bubble down through the line, it just sits there, laughing at me.
Visual inspection of the fittings I feel are worse than before. The gooey sludge was no longer there however the fittings and plugs on the GPUs, and all temperature sensors now had blueish white coloring with spots. This look to me as corrosion. I will upload pictures later. The 45 degree adaptors all have a white powdery coating on the inside. It does not come off very well when wiping it with Qtips after it has dried. The barbs on the compression fitting on the GPUs have the same coloring/coating as the temp sensors. No other barbs had any noticeable issues other than a light white powder coating the wiped away with ease.

So my question is what is making the water cloudy? Is this normal, a plasticiser issue, mixed metal issue or poor biocide/ additive? I have not found definitive information as to what the Asus blocks are made out of but I am committed to these parts for the final build as they are to costly to replace. Unless I can sell them and buy something else later on.

The final build includes all the same parts, pump and reservoirs aside, with the exception of the Radiators. The final build will utilize two 840mm full copper/copper finned radiators instead of the 420 and 560 rads.



Radiators x2: Airplex modularity system 840 mm

https://shop.aquacomputer.de/product_info.php?products_id=3364



Knowing for sure how much copper will be within the loop what are my options with the current unknown prebuilt blocks for the final build?

 

[maxfly]

that white stuff looks just like the build up i had in an old build that had an aluminum block in it. once i removed the block and flushed/replaced everything(pump, cpu block,gpu block, rad, fittings) the loop was fine for almost 5 years. i did end up throwing the tubing away as it was just about impossible to clean effectively. i had to replace several fittings(chromed brass) as they had pitting all over them.
i think youll be fine now that you have the aluminum out of the loop(assuming the asus blocks are nickel or copper) once you clean everything up. your going to have to pull your blocks apart and clean them as thoroughly as possible(remove all of the white crud). you will have to pull anything that may have that build up in it and clean it. including the tubing. either replace it or clean it very very well to avoid the build up coming back. if there is any of that build up left over it will come back in my experience.

edit- it seems the asus blocks are in fact copper. i would definitely pull them and clean them thoroughly before reinstalling them.

 

[Blaylock]

This does look like the reaction from mixed metal in the loop. You should replace all the parts that are affected by this which unfortunately will be most if not all the nickle plated parts. Eliminate the silver from the loop and use a known good biocide.

Here's a post from Jakob at Watercool who discusses using Silver with us. He linked a very nice study about this at the bottom of his post. I would highly recommend everyone to read it.