Possible mixed metal loop?

[Freddster]

I have a bad feeling that there is some kind of either mixed metal in the loop, or there some strange algae.

 

The reason why I am asking here is to confirm, what is going on in the GPU block. If this is something that is NOT supposed to happen, can it be fixed or is all/some of the components in the loop dead for future use.

 

The items I have in the loop is a follows:

Pump: Alphacool VPP655 single edition (Laing D5)

Pump top: EK - D5 X-TOP CSQ - Acetal

Reservoir: EK - RES X3 250

CPU block: EK - Supremacy - Full Nickel 

GPU block: EK - FC780 GTX Ti - Plexi + Nickel

Radiator: Alphacool NexXxos ut60 full copper

Fittings: EK - HDC fitting 12mm G1/4 - Nickel

Drain valve: Bitspower valve - G1/4 - Silver

There is also some no-name anti-corrosion/anti-algae fluid added to the distilled water. 

 

The reason I am concerned about the mixed metals is the discoloration in the GPU block. The reason why I think it is mixed metals and not algae, is when looking at the rest of the loop (res and tubing), there is no discoloration or any signs that something is living in the loop.

[X_Rated_Box]

Yes that corrosion

Im sorry for your loop/build

[ind3x]

It might be in the pump and rads too (anything with metal directly in contact with the water)

But your tubes and plastic parts will be fine for future use.

It might be possible to clean up the block, but it might have been damaged too much already. But i would figure the pump, rads and fittings all would be able to survive if you make a loop with them just running ordinary water to clean it up.

[airdeano]

by your list, you have no ferrous metal components, so i'd say your no-named

inhibitor is weak, non-productive or non-existent.

[Curufinwe_wins]

Hmmm. You should drain detach and smell the block. Metallic smell and its corrosion, earthy smell and its growth. Either way take the block and try to clean it with vinegar, but that seepage into the non-covered areas is telling me that wb is shot.

Also is it just me or is the radiator going into the gpu block? Kinda confusing without seeing the rest of the tubing.

[Freddster]

by your list, you have no ferrous metal components, so i'd say your no-named

inhibitor is weak, non-productive or non-existent.

When you say the inhibitor is weak, will that mean if I get a new and stronger inhibitor and a clean loop that this should be able to stop the corrosion in the future?

 

Also, what is the best way to try and clean the "damaged" components? Not really afraid to take the different blocks apart to be able to get a good clean.

 

Does anyone know if all the Laing D5 pump (swiftech MCP655, Alphacool VPP655) use the same coating for the chamber, since I think this might the perpetrator.

 

Edit: The alphacool pump might have a chamber made of aluminum.

[Curufinwe_wins]

When you say the inhibitor is weak, will that mean if I get a new and stronger inhibitor and a clean loop that this should be able to stop the corrosion in the future?

Also, what is the best way to try and clean the "damaged" components? Not really afraid to take the different blocks apart to be able to get a good clean.

Does anyone know if all the Laing D5 pump (swiftech MCP655, Alphacool VPP655) use the same coating for the chamber, since I think this might the perpetrator.

As I said above the strongest clearner I would use in there is vinegar. Bleach would work better if it turns out to be organic, but that's more risky.

Detach the wb and pump clean fluid into it from a bowl or something to try to flush out anything not stuck. I don't know if you can actually take apart the block to clean it.

[Freddster]

Is there any anti-corrosion/anti-algae fluid that is generally recommended to use?

[Curufinwe_wins]

Is there any anti-corrosion/anti-algae fluid that is generally recommended to use?

Have you found out what it was?

[Freddster]

Have you found out what it was?

 

The one I am currently using, no. But since it is not really doing what it is supposed to do, I want to get something with a name on it, and people to back it up.

[Curufinwe_wins]

The one I am currently using, no. But since it is not really doing what it is supposed to do, I want to get something with a name on it, and people to back it up.

I meant have you taken apart the system and smelled it yet? If it's algae growth the smell will be extremely apparent. Same with if it's metallic corrosion.

[Freddster]

I meant have you taken apart the system and smelled it yet? If it's algae growth the smell will be extremely apparent. Same with if it's metallic corrosion.

 

I would say it smells like metallic corrosion

[Curufinwe_wins]

I would say it smells like metallic corrosion

The algae would smell like shit. If that's the case it quite likely could be that mixed metal piece you were talking about. Again all you can do is try to clean with like vinegar and hope most of it comes out.

[Freddster]

Again all you can do is try to clean with like vinegar and hope most of it comes out.

 

Assuming that it is not possible to clean the GPU block to a satisfactory level, would it then be a fair assumption that the radiator and pump is also still "dirty", and should therefor not be used in the future?

[Curufinwe_wins]

Assuming that it is not possible to clean the GPU block to a satisfactory level, would it then be a fair assumption that the radiator and pump is also still "dirty", and should therefor not be used in the future?

Well the better question is even if they are clean will this happen again if they are used? Honestly I don't know. You can repeat the same process with the radiator much more efficiently than with a cpu block so it should be fine provided you give it a good soak.

[W-L]

When you say the inhibitor is weak, will that mean if I get a new and stronger inhibitor and a clean loop that this should be able to stop the corrosion in the future?

Also, what is the best way to try and clean the "damaged" components? Not really afraid to take the different blocks apart to be able to get a good clean.

Does anyone know if all the Laing D5 pump (swiftech MCP655, Alphacool VPP655) use the same coating for the chamber, since I think this might the perpetrator.

Edit: The alphacool pump might have a chamber made of aluminum.

 

The plate on the pump is made of stainless steel which is no problem in a loop with copper and nickel, is your CPU block also like that or just the GPU block?

[Freddster]

The plate on the pump is made of stainless steel which is no problem in a loop with copper and nickel, is your CPU block also like that or just the GPU block?

 

It is also my belief that stainless should not be a problem, but I think that somewhere inside the pump the water is in contact with aluminium because "Materials: Stainless steel 1.4571, PPS - GF40, EPDM O- rings, Aluminum oxide, hard coal" (copy paste from where I bought the pump). At the time of purchase I even called costumer service to make sure that this would not become a problem, but looking at the current situation I would dare say that something is wrong with either the pump or fittings, because all other components have documented what materials they are made of.

 

As for the CPU block there is also signs of corrosion, although it is as bad as the GPU block.

[W-L]

It is also my belief that stainless should not be a problem, but I think that somewhere inside the pump the water is in contact with aluminium because "Materials: Stainless steel 1.4571, PPS - GF40, EPDM O- rings, Aluminum oxide, hard coal" (copy paste from where I bought the pump). At the time of purchase I even called costumer service to make sure that this would not become a problem, but looking at the current situation I would dare say that something is wrong with either the pump or fittings, because all other components have documented what materials they are made of.

 

As for the CPU block there is also signs of corrosion, although it is as bad as the GPU block.

 

Aluminum Oxide is already oxidized or rusted in terms so it will not affect the loop and the reason why there is aluminum oxide in all D5 pumps is for the carbon/Aluminum ceramic composite bearing the impeller rides on. It's combined with other compounds so it shouldn't affect the loop and everyone else using a D5 has this so I don't see it happening to everyone else.

 

One thing what distilled water did you use, was it just regular distilled from the store?

 

My only other guess is it could be algae or some bacterial slime since the biocide wasn't that good as the others said.

[Freddster]

One thing what distilled water did you use, was it just regular distilled from the store?

 

Just used regular distilled water from a store. There is only really one in my vicinity that has 1 brand, so it is that one or pay about 3-4 times as much for the same amount.

[AnonymousGuy]

Looks like oxidized copper to me.  Particularly if your res isn't completely full, oxygen will dissolve in the liquid and metal can still oxidize underwater.  I've seen similar colors if I leave a copper block in vinegar too long....the acidity accelerates the oxidation process.

[Freddster]

The vinegar solution I should use for cleaning, should this be pure vinegar, or vinegar mixed with something (water?, distilled water?)?

[Curufinwe_wins]

Pure vinegar. Make sure to rinse (with a soln of light baking soda to make sure you get the acid out) and dry it out well. It shouldn't damage the waterblock. Might need to feed pipe cleaners into your res/radiator as well. You can also try soap but do that after the vinegar.

[Freddster]

Pure vinegar. Make sure to rinse (with a soln of light baking soda to make sure you get the acid out) and dry it out well. It shouldn't damage the waterblock. Might need to feed pipe cleaners into your res/radiator as well. You can also try soap but do that after the vinegar.

 

Okay thanks.

 

One more question though. If it not possible to clean all the components 100%. How bad would it be take a brand new GPU block, and change that with current one and use it with all the old components (pump, CPU block, radiator) which have been cleaned. The reason I am asking this is, because I also have some hardware trouble at the moment, and I am trying to minimize the "damage" I do to my wallet....

[Curufinwe_wins]

Okay thanks.

One more question though. If it not possible to clean all the components 100%. How bad would it be take a brand new GPU block, and change that with current one and use it with all the old components (pump, CPU block, radiator) which have been cleaned. The reason I am asking this is, because I also have some hardware trouble at the moment, and I am trying to minimize the "damage" I do to my wallet....

Well when did this problem start and how long was it running before you noticed it. You honestly can't expect anything better unless you change the loop as it appeared to be metallic corrosion which won't be fixed by your new biocide.

Honestly if you need it to not cost money just put it back together and run it as long as you can monitoring flow rates and temperatures.with the same block.

[Freddster]

It has been running a couple of months since the last time I took it apart, and when I think about it there might have been some small discoloration. This being said the picture probably also makes it look worse than it is, since it was taken with the block being filled with water, and then blitz on the camera.