EK Premix or Distilled Water?

[BenTan]

Hi,

 

I understand this question has been asked too many times but I'm seeing so many different opinions as to which is the preferred option. Based on what I've seen more people seem to prefer distilled, but Ghost on the forum mentioned premix is better due to being more hassle-free.

 

I'm trying to decide whether to use EK's clear premix (https://shop.ekwb.com/ek-ekoolant-evo-clear-premix-1l OR https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/EKWB-Premium-Liquid-Cooling-Premix-Coolant-Clear-1000-mL/22889761)

 

or distilled water with either biocide or a silver coil.

 

The components I'm using are two alphacool radiators (copper), a CPU and GPU block from EKWB (both copper, not nickel-plated) and Bitspower compression fittings (brass, I think).

 

I need to know which is the more "maintenance-friendly" option. I'm willing to drain and refill the loop every 6 to 12 months. I've read somewhere on the forum that distilled water with a silver coil could cause corrosion depending on the other metals present in the loop. I think I should be fine with distilled water and a kill coil but I just wanna take extra precaution.

[W-L]

From reading up the the EK nickel blocks and silver issue it seems they are borderline dis-similar metals in "harsh environments" so it can cause the nickel to flake and come off.

So using a clear Premix or distiller with a biocide like PT Nuke is the best solution to colored fluids. Both will be fairly easy to maintain the loop with no staining or need for aggressive flushing to remove any color from rads.

[BenTan]

From reading up the the EK nickel blocks and silver issue it seems they are borderline dis-similar metals in "harsh environments" so it can cause the nickel to flake and come off.

So using a clear Premix or distiller with a biocide like PT Nuke is the best solution to colored fluids. Both will be fairly easy to maintain the loop with no staining or need for aggressive flushing to remove any color from rads.

Thanks for the reply.

 

PT nuke seems ridiculously expensive to ship over to my place. I've checked their official website and amazon.

 

Any experience with Mayhems Extreme biocide? (http://techworld.co.nz/mayhems-10ml-extreme-biocide-p-45958.html)

[W-L]

Thanks for the reply.

PT nuke seems ridiculously expensive to ship over to my place. I've checked their official website and amazon.

Any experience with Mayhems Extreme biocide? (http://techworld.co.nz/mayhems-10ml-extreme-biocide-p-45958.html)

 

I've never used mayhems straight biocide but they are basically the gold standard in terms of cooling fluids so I wouldn't expect any less from that.

It does say to add drops until the proper PH is reached:

http://mayhems.co.uk/store/biocide-extreme-10ml.html?sl=en

[BenTan]

I've never used mayhems straight biocide but they are basically the gold standard in terms of cooling fluids so I wouldn't expect any less from that.

It does say to add drops until the proper PH is reached:

http://mayhems.co.uk/store/biocide-extreme-10ml.html?sl=en

I think I'm gonna go the premix route.

 

Have you seen this premix before?: http://techworld.co.nz/ekwb-premium-liquid-cooling-premix-coolant-clear-1000ml-p-48866.html

 

It doesn't seem to be the same one listed on the EK website.

[W-L]

I think I'm gonna go the premix route.

Have you seen this premix before?: http://techworld.co.nz/ekwb-premium-liquid-cooling-premix-coolant-clear-1000ml-p-48866.html

It doesn't seem to be the same one listed on the EK website.

 

That's EKWB's old supply of coolants they used before they partnered with Mayhems, I don't recall hearing about any problems with it but now it's the EVO clear line:

https://shop.ekwb.com/ek-ekoolant-evo-clear-concentrate-100ml

 

I'm using Mayhems Pastel fluids for a few months now and it seems to be holding up very well with no problems.