Need coolant recommendations

[Occamsblade]

Here's the deal.  I won a sweet build.  It has some EKWB blocks in it, a radiator of unknown composition and hard tubing.  I have built gaming computers before.... but have always steered clear of liquid cooled.  It scares me.  I need to change the fluid.  There is a little gunk and a small leak in the video card block.  Cleaning it up and ordered new o-rings.  What coolant can I use to do the least amount of damage to the system overall without breaking the bank?  It takes about 1.5 L of fluid.

[SupaKomputa]

any auto coolant will do mate.

[Tristerin]

47 minutes ago, SupaKomputa said:

any auto coolant will do mate.

$8 bucks at Autozone near me gets me a gallon of Prestone 50/50 antifreeze with their patented Cor-Guard corrosion inhibitor.  Also, antifreeze is a natural biocide.  Its what I use in my loops.  I use silicone tubing.  Fills like 8 loops before empty.

 

NOTE - if you are using PETG tubing, do not mix with Antifreeze as glycol will cause it to leach. 

[Zando_]

1 minute ago, Tristerin said:

NOTE - if you are using PETG tubing, do not mix with Antifreeze as glycol will cause it to leach. 

Just use EK-ZMT like a cool kid 

[Tristerin]

33 minutes ago, Zando Bob said:

Just use EK-ZMT like a cool kid 

Call me Scrooge, kids are expensive, I have to save money at all times for my hobbies   (tbh my kids are amazing so its okay)

[Zando_]

2 minutes ago, Tristerin said:

Call me Scrooge, kids are expensive, I have to save money at all times for my hobbies   (tbh my kids are amazing so its okay)

Here's the thing though, EK-ZMT is hella cheap. That's why I use it, it's cheap af, durable, easy to work with due to being proper rubber and thus very flexible (with zip ties on stubbies I've never had a leak), and is low maintenance (there's a reason it's Zero Maintenance Tubing). It's $1.79-3.25 a foot depending on the ID/OD you get, and doesn't fade or anything like clear tubing can since it's just pure black rubber. Looks really clean as well. And again on the cheap side, due to it being really flexible and working so well with the zip tie/stubby combo, you can buy literally the cheapest stubbies possibly and be fine (I use shorter than normal EK stubbies because they were on sale for about a whole buck or more cheaper than the other ones). 

[Tristerin]

7 minutes ago, Zando Bob said:

Here's the thing though, EK-ZMT is hella cheap. That's why I use it, it's cheap af, durable, easy to work with due to being proper rubber and thus very flexible (with zip ties on stubbies I've never had a leak), and is low maintenance (there's a reason it's Zero Maintenance Tubing). It's $1.79-3.25 a foot depending on the ID/OD you get, and doesn't fade or anything like clear tubing can since it's just pure black rubber. Looks really clean as well. And again on the cheap side, due to it being really flexible and working so well with the zip tie/stubby combo, you can buy literally the cheapest stubbies possibly and be fine (I use shorter than normal EK stubbies because they were on sale for about a whole buck or more cheaper than the other ones). 

AHHHH I thought it would be a coolant (didn't look it up) - I actually have my RR2 in sig with black brewery hoses and it looks fantastic, costs me $2 per 3 ft I order at 8mm ID x 12mm OD (thicc) and made for extreme heat, and zero leaching (food grade) - on that note yeah I use radiators with brazed on barb fittings (cheaper that way...I bought a bunch of G1/4 fittings just in case in various sizes which is nice to have but its much cheaper getting my cheap Chinese rads with brazed on fittings) and zip ties

 

My third loop I just need to slap together I am waiting because the tubing I ordered is junk, feels junk at least so I may just try some of this EK-ZMT out since it wont be expensive and I can check it out.  Just haven't gotten around to order anything cause month end/quarter end close last month - now that its over I can have a little breathing time LOL

 

[Occamsblade]

I dont know what tubing was used.  I suspect it came with the Liam Li case or was from EKWB (both were sponsors of the raffle prize).  If you want to look at the system the build was posted here.  I know the tubing is a hard plastic and the case is a liam li dynamic 001.  The blocks are all EKWB.  I have no idea who did the radiator.  EKWBs site says to use an ethylene glycol base, but what I am seeing on the web is it is bad with the hard plastic tubes. 

 

[Tristerin]

My only experience with glycol (ethylene and propylene) said to not use with PETG hard tubing.  So if it were me, I would assume that it is PETG (since I didnt build it, and its hard tubing) and I would use distilled water, a corrosion inhibitor and a biocide.  Radiator, if its EK, could also be aluminum as they DO have aluminum kits.

[SenKa]

1 minute ago, Tristerin said:

My only experience with glycol (ethylene and propylene) said to not use with PETG hard tubing.  So if it were me, I would assume that it is PETG (since I didnt build it, and its hard tubing) and I would use distilled water, a corrosion inhibitor and a biocide.  Radiator, if its EK, could also be aluminum as they DO have aluminum kits.

What he said

[Occamsblade]

Its crazy.  I feel like I won a $3000 headache.  I really miss my air cooled computer right now.  I'm so lost and so scared to F*** it up.

[Occamsblade]

What corrosion inhibitor / biocide can I use?  EKWB said nothing with copper sulfate and I have no friggin clue what else is out there.  I keep seeing PT nuke recommended, but it has the copper sulfate.  I feel like I am stuck destroying one or the other.  What is good for the blocks is bad for the lines and vice versa.  Am I missing something?  I found a more detailed parts list, but it doesnt say what type of tubing.  I sent a message to the place to try to find out.  I'm hoping its acrylic, it comes pre-bent so maybe??

 

https://www.ekfluidgaming.com/powerspec-fluid-gaming/

 

[Occamsblade]

I was able to find the radiator on the EKWB site.  Its copper with brass chambers. 

[Occamsblade]

Turns out I was wrong.  Its supposed to be all aluminum.  I remember overhearing two of the tech guys saying they had a problem with one of the blocks.  I think it was the video card block.  the thing weighs almost 2lbs and is the only place I see corrosion.  It doesn't look aluminum.  I suspect they switched it out for a regular stock one.... which means its probably nickle plated copper. Remember when I said I was scared of liquid cooling.  The more I learn, the more this system scares me. It was running EK clear fluid, and it corroded with that.  Help?  What do I need to do here? What can I run?  I know a silver kill coil is out.... but I am pretty lost beyond that.

[Occamsblade]

Nevermind.  I was able to get a hold of Jay.  Got it all figured out.