What coolant/biocide should i use?

[jamie.three]

Hi, ive recently built a custom loop with a gigabyte 2080ti with a copper waterblock (one of these https://www.gigabyte.com/uk/Graphics-Card/GV-N208TAORUSX-WB-11GC#kf ) and a 360mm rad (just some generic no-brand one). Pump/res is one of these https://www.alphacool.com/shop/pumpen/pumpenagbtop-sets/dc-lt-sets/21041/alphacool-eisstation-dc-lt-inkl.-alphacool-dc-lt-2600-ultra-silent and the fittings are EK-STC classic fittings (nickel). im using flexible tube hosing.

At the moment the loop is running fine with just tap water (i know this isnt ideal for a coolant), I plan on emptying it and refiling it with something better at some point but that might have to wait a month or two. (im a student at Uni right now and i dont have the equiptment to start trying to empty and refill the loop until i get back home). The CPU is still on an air cooler so the loop only contains about 0.5l of coolant.

 

1) what additvies (a biocide etc.) should i add to the loop right now while it just has tap water in it? ive been looking at "liquid.cool nuke cu", "liquid.cool nuke PHN" and "mayhems Hades plus", would a kill coil be a better alternative?. do i also need a corrosion inhibitor? There is no almuinium in the loop only copper and nickel.

2) when i refill it what is the easiest coolant to use (i dont want one with any dye), should i go distilled water with some additives, or is a premix or concentrate a better option? and how often should i then be emptying and refilling the loop (if at all)

Edited January 11, 2023 by jamie.three

[Zando_]

7 minutes ago, jamie.three said:

360mm AIO

AIO? Like, you salvaged the rad off one? 

7 minutes ago, jamie.three said:

m using flexible tube hosing.

At the moment the loop is running fine with just tap water (i know this isnt ideal for a coolant), I plan on emptying it and refiling it with something better at some point but that might have to wait a month or two.

Dump it, go to the nearest supermarket and get distilled water, use that. 

8 minutes ago, jamie.three said:

1) what additvies (a biocide etc.) should i add to the loop right now while it just has tap water in it? ive been looking at "liquid.cool nuke cu", "liquid.cool nuke PHN" and "mayhems Hades plus". do i also need a corrosion inhibitor? There is no almuinium in the loop only copper and nickel.

Short term just distilled will be fine, if it's an only copper and nickel loop just a basic biocide to keep things from growing should be good. 

9 minutes ago, jamie.three said:

when i refill it what is the easiest coolant to use (i dont want one with any dye), should i go distilled water with some additives, or is a premix or concentrate a better option? and how often should i then be emptying and refilling the loop (if at all)

I'm lazy, I buy EK's Cryofuel Clear premix in 1L bottles and just use that. Haven't had any issues with it. 

[jamie.three]

Just now, Zando_ said:

AIO? Like, you salvaged the rad off one? 

my mistake, its just a normal rad not an AIO.

2 minutes ago, Zando_ said:

just a basic biocide

my main question is do you recommend any particular biocide? are any of the three i mentioned above ones that you know work (or know dont work)?

[_Omega_]

15 minutes ago, jamie.three said:

2) when i refill it what is the easiest coolant to use (i dont want one with any dye), should i go distilled water with some additives, or is a premix or concentrate a better option? and how often should i then be emptying and refilling the loop (if at all)

The only coolant i used so far was EK Cryofuel in acid green (it was not really a see thru loop, i just got it because it was on sale at the time) and even with the color i had no problems with it for years  

[Zando_]

Just now, jamie.three said:

my main question is do you recommend any particular biocide? are any of the three i mentioned above ones that you know work (or know dont work)?

I haven't used one in ages, because I pretty quickly move from distilled water -> EK Cryofuel. I believe I had some Mayhems stuff before, twas what I was recommended by more experienced custom loop folks, so I'd look for something from them. 

1 minute ago, _Omega_ said:

The only coolant i used so far was EK Cryofuel in acid green (it was not really a see thru loop, i just got it because it was on sale at the time) and even with the color i had no problems with it for years  

I've used the Red before in a loop for a friend years back, the color faded out (I think it soaked into the ZMT tubing) after ~2 years but it didn't have any effect on function. Color fade + none of my gear is see-through (aside from the res) is why I just use Clear now. 

[-rascal-]

You do not need any specific biocide or a 'kill coil' anymore.

 

Want you DO need is:

1. Get rip of the damn tap water ASAP, and use distilled water
2. Use a coolant concentrate or pre-mix -- like EKwb Cryofuel

That's it.

 

The concentrate or pre-mix already has all the stuff in there to protect the loop / components, biocide, and growth inhibitor.

Concentrate: You add to clear distilled water

Pre-Mix: Ready-to-use coolant (if you can't or don't want to do your own mix)

https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-cryofuel-clear-premix-1000ml

https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-cryofuel-navy-blue-concentrate-100ml-5398

 

Yes, you can use distilled water + a clear concentrate.

If you want, you can add a few drops of dye -- optional

https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-cryofuel-clear-concentrate-100ml.

https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-cryofuel-dye-pack

[fonzz1e]

70% distilled water + 30% glycol (polypropylene or ethylene) 

[Sir Beregond]

Mayhems Hades+/Inhibitor+ added to Distilled Water.

 

Otherwise can also opt for clear premixes such as ModMyMods Mod Water, Aquacomputer DP Ultra, Mayhems X1, etc. I am not a fan of Cryofuel, seen even the clear gunk up on people and their opaques are pure garbage (to be fair, most are).

[ApolloX75]

I've been using Cryofuel for several years as well, it's good stuff. Other than that Mayhems, or Dazmode Protector or even some glycol added to the loop will keep your components free of any growth. Definitely go buy a $1.50 jug of distilled water please, there is too much junk in tap water, even city water. Maybe especially city water haha.

 

As for how often you need to flush the loop... well that's really up to you. Typically manufacturers recommend once a year or every six months but honestly as long as you've got nothing growing and there's no buildup (like some dyes in some coolants will cause gunk to buildup over time) then keep on rolling with it. I'd say a year or so is the easiest/safest interval.

 

Although honestly none of my loops have been together longer than a few months as I'm constantly swapping components and changing the loops, so I'm a bad example.

[HM-2]

On 1/16/2023 at 9:55 PM, Sir Beregond said:

Mayhems Hades+/Inhibitor+ added to Distilled Water.

Yup, this would be my choice too.

You will still get corrosion on a purely copper/nickel loop if you run it for a prolonged period of time (months+) without inhibitor. 

[Sir Beregond]

32 minutes ago, HM-2 said:

Yup, this would be my choice too.

You will still get corrosion on a purely copper/nickel loop if you run it for a prolonged period of time (months+) without inhibitor. 

Yep, distilled water by itself will pretty quickly pick up metal ions from the components. Should always run distilled with a biocide/inhibitor. I like the Mayhems stuff because its not copper sulfate which can cause issues with nickel plating.