Reservoir Level Decreasing?

[HaydenMadeEm]

I built my computer almost 4 months ago, made sure all my fittings were tight and got all of the air out of the Rads that I could. I've been keeping a close eye on my res and every couple of weeks double check all of my fittings and tighten them if possible (Using my hands, no tools have been used on the fittings) Recently the water in the res has been getting lower and lower (a millimeter every other week or so) and I have been unable to find any leaks anywhere. I used primo flex tubing and alpha cool fittings, I have swiftech rads. I wouldn't think that it's leftover air that's been trapped in the rads because like I said it's been almost 4 months (comp was finished on June 6th) any possible Ideas or suggestions?

[Jodomcfrodo]

Evaporation 

[scaryjam823]

Evaporation 

This^

[Jedicake]

Now my question is... is it normal that it does NOT decrease? Is evaporation supposed to happen?

[HaydenMadeEm]

Is evaporation normal? I wouldn't think that it could evaporate from a sealed loop?

[xnoobftw]

Evaporation 

 

This^

wouldnt it just condense on the surface of the res and drop back in?

[Jodomcfrodo]

wouldnt it just condense on the surface of the res and drop back in?

It sounds weird, but it is the general consensus. I don't understand either. 

[nsyedhasan]

wouldnt it just condense on the surface of the res and drop back in?

 

Is evaporation normal? I wouldn't think that it could evaporate from a sealed loop?

 

Now my question is... is it normal that it does NOT decrease? Is evaporation supposed to happen?

I believe it is normal. I also think that it is because of the tubing is slightly porous and lets out some liquid.

[xnoobftw]

I believe it is normal. I also think that it is because of the tubing is slightly porous and lets out some liquid.

Ah certain plastics are permeable to gases.... (CHEMISTRY STUDENT HERE WOOO) Probably OP's res is made of an amorphous material

[airdeano]

it is not evaporation (system is closed)

 

water level decreasing is:

air purging from system (slowly)

undetected leak

air lock in system not allowing the system to be hydraulic.

[Syntaxvgm]

Ah certain plastics are permeable to gases.... (CHEMISTRY STUDENT HERE WOOO) Probably OP's res is made of an amorphous material

This. In addition to this, if a res a watertight, it does not mean it's completely airtight, especially around the fill ports where the water doesn't flow, and/or if it's glued together, there's a chance of this depending on the design. 

[xnoobftw]

it is not evaporation (system is closed)

 

water level decreasing is:

air purging from system (slowly)

undetected leak

air lock in system not allowing the system to be hydraulic.

So my point. The plastic that makes your reservoir is permeable to gas and thus the volume in your res will slowly decrease. Your only option now is to either change your res or just keep adding volumes of your solvent 

[Syntaxvgm]

So my point. The plastic that makes your reservoir is permeable to gas and thus the volume in your res will slowly decrease. Your only option now is to either change your res or just keep adding volumes of your solvent 

Typically I would think the glue on some acrylic reservoirs would be the permeable substance. I've heard of this issue, and in particular people recommending certain types of glue to those making their own DIY res. 

[HaydenMadeEm]

The res is a phobya 250, I plan on doing maintenence in december (6 months from build finish) Going to drain the entire loop, and a quick disconnect for easier draining (didn't think about putting one in before the build) If anyone can recommend cylindrical res' for me that would be great! Thinking about getting the one that Linus has (also have a UV build) I'll keep an eye out for major links, Thanks for all the help!

[Syntaxvgm]

The res is a phobya 250, I plan on doing maintenence in december (6 months from build finish) Going to drain the entire loop, and a quick disconnect for easier draining (didn't think about putting one in before the build) If anyone can recommend cylindrical res' for me that would be great! Thinking about getting the one that Linus has (also have a UV build) I'll keep an eye out for major links, Thanks for all the help!

I can't be 100% sure it is the res. You COULD try to get some advice from OCN maybe, or message particular people in forums that are experts in this. If it is the res, you might just be able to add some sealant of some kind to it. 

[airdeano]

So my point. The plastic that makes your reservoir is permeable to gas and thus the volume in your res will slowly decrease. Your only option now is to either change your res or just keep adding volumes of your solvent 

 

most common material used is Generic Acrylic (PMMA)

Acrylic Typical Properties Generic Acrylic (PMMA)

 

and to evolve that thought, it'd take years for permeation to create this dilemma.

[Syntaxvgm]

most common material used is Generic Acrylic (PMMA)

Acrylic Typical Properties Generic Acrylic (PMMA)

 

and to evolve that thought, it'd take years for permeation to create this dilemma.

like I said it's generally poor sealing if it is the reservoir. 

The material itself, like most plastics, is not very susceptible to that. 

There's other places in the loop that could be the culprit to. The pump, for example. Though, kinda rare. 

But cheap/bag QC pumps or partial acrylic blocks can cause problems beyond just leaks. Generally that's only the case if either have glue as a vital part of the sealing. 

I hear, though I have no idea if this is true or not,, that some types of tubing are more permeable. 

[xnoobftw]

most common material used is Generic Acrylic (PMMA)

Acrylic Typical Properties Generic Acrylic (PMMA)

 

and to evolve that thought, it'd take years for permeation to create this dilemma.

Hmm then it could be the pump at work

[airdeano]

I built my computer almost 4 months ago, made sure all my fittings were tight and got all of the air out of the Rads that I could. I've been keeping a close eye on my res and every couple of weeks double check all of my fittings and tighten them if possible (Using my hands, no tools have been used on the fittings) Recently the water in the res has been getting lower and lower (a millimeter every other week or so) and I have been unable to find any leaks anywhere. I used primo flex tubing and alpha cool fittings, I have swiftech rads. I wouldn't think that it's leftover air that's been trapped in the rads because like I said it's been almost 4 months (comp was finished on June 6th) any possible Ideas or suggestions?

The res is a phobya 250,

 

if you have no physical leak (not a drop) then you have not bled all the air from the system.

 

Hmm then it could be the pump at work

 

you're reaching for nothing now.

[Ghost]

most common material used is Generic Acrylic (PMMA)

Acrylic Typical Properties Generic Acrylic (PMMA)

 

and to evolve that thought, it'd take years for permeation to create this dilemma.

I was quite sure that most tubing was made from low durometer PVC.

 

This has an interesting section on use of plasticizers in PVC: http://www.gupta-verlag.com/media/bookshop/rehearsal/20050818_2581819959-57_3-446-22714-8_Leseprobe_1.pdf

 

Although I do agree with you that 1-2mm per month of loss in a loop seems excessive, however, a leak occuring that slowly isn't an issue anyway. It could be a piece of dust under an o-ring. 

[HaydenMadeEm]

I don't think it's the pump, can't think of the name of it right now, but it's the one that Linus always recommends, I guess maybe I didn't get all the air out? I spent about an hour tipping the case back and forth, side to side to get all the air out I could, but maybe some just never made it out? I suppose it also could be from leftover air in the tubing, as the uv green primo flex tubing isn't very transparent. I will keep checking for leaks etc, will probably just get one of those helix res' anyway since i like the look and they're uv.

[HaydenMadeEm]

Not sure if I mentioned this already, but I would assume it's some-what important: I'm using distilled water for my solvent.

[HaydenMadeEm]

I believe I have found the issue to the problem. I'm 99% sure that it is my reservoir. Yesterday I went to restart my computer; I remembered that when I was first building it, the water in the res would go down as it started to fill up rads and other components. I went to watch it as I rebooted, low and behold, I see water moving through the threads of the top of Phobya 250 res. So from what I can tell, the water has been evaporating through the threads at the top of my reservoir. I planned getting a new one anyways, but I'm quite upset that it has happened.