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Acrylic Tubing vs Regular Tubing

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Acrylic tubing

 

Pros

-Can get really straight runs which always look good

-wont discolour like some tubing does

 

Cons

-with hard piping it is harder to move items around/swap items

-little to no flexibility so your bends have to be spot on.

-fittings and the tubing itself is a little more expensive than standard barbs and tubing

 

Regular tubing

 

Pros

-no need for heatguns etc to bend

-no need to be precise about bends etc as the tubing is flexible

-cheaper and easier

 

Cons

-doesn't look as good because you can get perfectly straight runs

-doesn't hold its shape (will sag etc)

 

your basically looking at a choice between practicality/easiness with regular tubing vs better looking/harder for acrylic tubing.

Hi everyone, I'm building my first custom water cooling loop soon. I was watching Singularity Video where he was using acrylic tubing . And recently some came into supply at a computer store near me. So should I use Acrylic tubing or regular tubing. What are the Pros and Cons? 

 

Thanks

 

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Acrylic tubing is expensive, can leak if not installed correctly, and you need a tonne of fittings on order to to a complete loop. But i think it's worth the cost and effort because it looks so good. 

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If it's your first loop I'd recommend regular tubing b/c it's easier to use. If you are willing to take your time and go balls to the wall then get acrylic. Regular is cheaper versus acrylic but acrylic looks better if you have your tubing route planned out. etc etc.

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Acrylic tubing is expensive, can leak if not installed correctly, and you need a tonne of fittings on order to to a complete loop. But i think it's worth the cost and effort because it looks so good.

  

If it's your first loop I'd recommend regular tubing b/c it's easier to use. If you are willing to take your time and go balls to the wall then get acrylic. Regular is cheaper versus acrylic but acrylic looks better if you have your tubing route planned out. etc etc.

So basically the only pro of acrylic tubing is athletics? Any cons?
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So basically the only pro of acrylic tubing is athletics? Any cons?

Only cons would be pretty hard to setup and alot of money and pretty expensive because you need to buy whole lot more fittings.

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Acrylic will not discolor coolant, and will not leech plasticizer. 

I like the color scheme of Noctua fans. Deal with it. Forget about the bad memories of the past.


"wunder you really are as straight as a rainbow" - Lanoi "can I fisterino your nose" - WunderWuffle


Forget about the bad memories of the past, take the good ones along with you through the present, and look forwards to the good things that will come in the future.

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Pros:

Aesthetics

- some tubing like PrimoChill's new rigid acrylic can be heated and molded into turns

- straight runs with Bitspower crystal link + rotary fittings and adapters (Singularity)

Coolants don't discolour acrylic tubing like they do with regular tubing due to plasticizers (WunderWuffle)

 

Cons:

Often more expensive

Harder to set up / may have problems with leakage if they are not seated straight into the fitting

Cost

Patience (Whaler_99)

 

***Note***

If you're talking about PCCG or TheKoolRoom then they just stocked PrimoChill rigid acrylic tubing and require PrimoChill rigid ghost compression fittings other than those used by Singularity computers who uses Bitspower multilink + crystal link tubing (i.e. 10mm ID/12mm OD acrylic tubing). Just be aware that if you're going the same route as Singularity then you'll need multilink fittings and compatible 10mm/12mm tubing, not the PrimoChill tubing on PCCG or TKR (assuming those are the stores you are referring to)

 

PrimoChill Rigid Ghost Fittings - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_300_1320&products_id=24136&zenid=19eb246bd5b675c77dc16b3ad15f768b

PrimoChill Rigid Acrylic - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_853&products_id=24132&zenid=19eb246bd5b675c77dc16b3ad15f768b

 

Bitspower Multilink - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_300_1402&products_id=23298&zenid=19eb246bd5b675c77dc16b3ad15f768b

Bitspower Crystal Link - http://www.bitspower.com/html/product/pro_show.aspx?num=81091433&kind2=23

Example of compatible acrylic tubing - http://www.e22.biz/TU002E2.aspx#.Uevuj23Cd4A

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Just one more thing on the con side - you need to have a LOT of patience working with Acrylic. A build like that could take days to do and if you measure wrong, it's not as forgiving a tubing... Also, ensure you have the proper tools for cutting it. You need to get as straight and as smooth as cut as possible to properly fit it into the fitting.

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Pros:

Aesthetics

- some tubing like PrimoChill's new rigid acrylic can be heated and molded into turns

- straight runs with Bitspower crystal link + rotary fittings and adapters (Singularity)

Coolants don't discolour acrylic tubing like they do with regular tubing due to plasticizers (WunderWuffle)

 

Cons:

Often more expensive

Harder to set up / may have problems with leakage if they are not seated straight into the fitting

Cost

 

***Note***

If you're talking about PCCG or TheKoolRoom then they just stocked PrimoChill rigid acrylic tubing and require PrimoChill rigid ghost compression fittings other than those used by Singularity computers who uses Bitspower multilink + crystal link tubing (i.e. 10mm ID/12mm OD acrylic tubing). Just be aware that if you're going the same route as Singularity then you'll need multilink fittings and compatible 10mm/12mm tubing, not the PrimoChill tubing on PCCG or TKR (assuming those are the stores you are referring to)

 

PrimoChill Rigid Ghost Fittings - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_300_1320&products_id=24136&zenid=19eb246bd5b675c77dc16b3ad15f768b

PrimoChill Rigid Acrylic - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_853&products_id=24132&zenid=19eb246bd5b675c77dc16b3ad15f768b

 

Bitspower Multilink - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_300_1402&products_id=23298&zenid=19eb246bd5b675c77dc16b3ad15f768b

Bitspower Crystal Link - http://www.bitspower.com/html/product/pro_show.aspx?num=81091433&kind2=23

Example of compatible acrylic tubing - http://www.e22.biz/TU002E2.aspx#.Uevuj23Cd4A

What tools do you think I will need? Dremel or Jigsaw?
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What tools do you think I will need? Dremel or Jigsaw?

Metal tube cutter would probably work. Just make sure you spend a lot of time sanding it down. If you're going with Multi Link fittings, buy this: http://www.e22.biz/TU001E2.aspx

Just make sure the OD is 12mm, and ID is 10mm.

I like the color scheme of Noctua fans. Deal with it. Forget about the bad memories of the past.


"wunder you really are as straight as a rainbow" - Lanoi "can I fisterino your nose" - WunderWuffle


Forget about the bad memories of the past, take the good ones along with you through the present, and look forwards to the good things that will come in the future.

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regular tubing is much cheaper, easier and faster to build and you're less likely to get a leak.

 

things to consider:

 

-with crystal link (singularity style) you're gonna spend a ton of money on fittings alone to match the crystal link tubes together.

and unless you've done it a couple of times its gonna be really hard to estimate which fittings exactly you'll end up needing.

 

-primochill is easier and cheaper to do than crystal link and less 'flimsy' but you'll need a propane torch or a heatgun to bend the tubes in shape.

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regular tubing is much cheaper, easier and faster to build and you're less likely to get a leak.

things to consider:

-with crystal link (singularity style) you're gonna spend a ton of money on fittings alone to match the crystal link tubes together.

and unless you've done it a couple of times its gonna be really hard to estimate which fittings exactly you'll end up needing.

-primochill is easier and cheaper to do than crystal link and less 'flimsy' but you'll need a propane torch or a heatgun to bend the tubes in shape.

Heh, Singularity Style. Nice. But yeah, it's gonna cost you a lot of money on fittings if you dont know what and how many to buy.

I like the color scheme of Noctua fans. Deal with it. Forget about the bad memories of the past.


"wunder you really are as straight as a rainbow" - Lanoi "can I fisterino your nose" - WunderWuffle


Forget about the bad memories of the past, take the good ones along with you through the present, and look forwards to the good things that will come in the future.

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  • 1 month later...

regular tubing is much cheaper, easier and faster to build and you're less likely to get a leak.

things to consider:

-with crystal link (singularity style) you're gonna spend a ton of money on fittings alone to match the crystal link tubes together.

and unless you've done it a couple of times its gonna be really hard to estimate which fittings exactly you'll end up needing.

-primochill is easier and cheaper to do than crystal link and less 'flimsy' but you'll need a propane torch or a heatgun to bend the tubes in shape.

Can a hairdryer work?

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Can a hairdryer work?

not really

PC Builder, Engineer... BACON    Project Cobalt: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/38058-project-cobalt-copper-piping-laser-etching-and-more/#entry489258

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Acrylic tubing

 

Pros

-Can get really straight runs which always look good

-wont discolour like some tubing does

 

Cons

-with hard piping it is harder to move items around/swap items

-little to no flexibility so your bends have to be spot on.

-fittings and the tubing itself is a little more expensive than standard barbs and tubing

 

Regular tubing

 

Pros

-no need for heatguns etc to bend

-no need to be precise about bends etc as the tubing is flexible

-cheaper and easier

 

Cons

-doesn't look as good because you can get perfectly straight runs

-doesn't hold its shape (will sag etc)

 

your basically looking at a choice between practicality/easiness with regular tubing vs better looking/harder for acrylic tubing.

PC Builder, Engineer... BACON    Project Cobalt: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/38058-project-cobalt-copper-piping-laser-etching-and-more/#entry489258

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Metal tube cutter would probably work. Just make sure you spend a lot of time sanding it down. If you're going with Multi Link fittings, buy this: http://www.e22.biz/TU001E2.aspx

Just make sure the OD is 12mm, and ID is 10mm.

 

you can get cutters designed for pvc pipe that would do the job a bit better, the metal ones aren't that good with plastics.

 

What tools do you think I will need? Dremel or Jigsaw?

heat gun, bending insert, junior hacksaw or pvc pipe cutter and sandpaper.

PC Builder, Engineer... BACON    Project Cobalt: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/38058-project-cobalt-copper-piping-laser-etching-and-more/#entry489258

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For acrylic tubing you need to be highly skilled with it for it to actually have pros in your build. Acrylic tubing looks amazing but the probability for it to leak is much higher depending on whether or not you installed it correctly. Another benefit is that acrylic tubing is a whole lot less subjective to staining from your coolant. So if you use it staining should not be on your list of worries. Also you need to properly sand down the edges because the slightest crack or scuff can cause a leak over time. I would do normal tubing because the risk factors and points of failure are substantially lower. You can still achieve the ascetics of acrylic tubing with normal tubing if your tubing is clear, you use a dye in distilled water, and a lot of fittings. NEVER USE PREMIXED COOLANTS AND ALWAYS USE MAYHEMS DYES!!!!

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you can get cutters designed for pvc pipe that would do the job a bit better, the metal ones aren't that good with plastics.

heat gun, bending insert, junior hacksaw or pvc pipe cutter and sandpaper.

what is the hacksaw for?

Also is this ok? http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?sbk=1&nav=SEARCH&itemId=200955351104

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the hacksaw is for cutting the pipe if you dont have cutters (cutters are better) and yes they should do the job but don't try to cut the pipe like they are scissors grip the pipe an turn the pipe.

PC Builder, Engineer... BACON    Project Cobalt: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/38058-project-cobalt-copper-piping-laser-etching-and-more/#entry489258

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the hacksaw is for cutting the pipe if you dont have cutters (cutters are better) and yes they should do the job but don't try to cut the pipe like they are scissors grip the pipe an turn the pipe.

My other questions is since i cant find anywhere in Australia selling the right dimension of tubing i will have to go overseas. e22 will be 130 for 10m because of shipping. Is this 1/2 OD 3/8 ID good enough? 12mm is 0.472440945 inches and 10mm is 0.393700787 inches. this is very close to the right dimensions so could i just sand it down? http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=22924&catid=736

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My other questions is since i cant find anywhere in Australia selling the right dimension of tubing i will have to go overseas. e22 will be 130 for 10m because of shipping. Is this 1/2 OD 3/8 ID good enough? 12mm is 0.472440945 inches and 10mm is 0.393700787 inches. this is very close to the right dimensions so could i just sand it down? http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=22924&catid=736

yeah they would work with 12mm fittings like bitspower's, they will be quite tight though however that is a good thing for push fittings.

PC Builder, Engineer... BACON    Project Cobalt: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/38058-project-cobalt-copper-piping-laser-etching-and-more/#entry489258

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yeah they would work with 12mm fittings like bitspower's, they will be quite tight though however that is a good thing for push fittings.

Any idea where i can get a bending insert?

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Any idea where i can get a bending insert?

e22.com sells one i think, perhaps the postage will be less for a small very light package.

PC Builder, Engineer... BACON    Project Cobalt: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/38058-project-cobalt-copper-piping-laser-etching-and-more/#entry489258

| NZXT Switch 810 | i5-3570k | gigabyte UD-5H | Corsair Vengeance 8gb ram | GTX 670 | 2x 60gb intel 330 series ssd's in raid 0 | 1tb seagate barracuda hdd | Corsair tx750m | XSPC razor GPU and CPU waterblocks | XSPC d5 vario pump | Thermochill Pa140.3 | phoyba 280mm radiator | Chromed Copper tubing |

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  • 1 year later...

You dont need to buy any more fittings than  you would for flexi tubing , i just use C47 Bitspower multi link and just bend my tube where i want it to go , with EK HD 10/12  rigid , and you can do really tight bends if you make a decent jig , i find the monsoon kit , not tight enough , i did some good tight bends with it , but i find now my new jig 30 mm radius to be a good compromise between tight 90" and not too tight that the tube will deform , flatten. 

 

I dont like seeing lots of fittings in a loop , i only like to see a fitting at the start point of a run of tubing , ie. one fitting on a CPU out , to one fitting on radiator in .

 

Rigid is however a steep learning curve , and much harder for tight bends , takes skill and practice , it is rigid that got me into aesthetics in a PC , never was interested before , now i love the look of rigid done right , and it must be square sharp 90" accurate or it does not look good.

 

This is my first attempt at rigid bending and the only 3 tubes i have ever done , i am an novice , but i did one very tight multi bend with part of my new jig  , as a test and it works very well and made a very accurate complex bend with it ,( need to use a table saw to finish my jig )

  was going to load pics but i see it is a hasstle on this site , i have to re size photos , 750D club on OCN if you want to see.

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