Those with custom loops what coolant do you use and why?

Bone9 · 25 Nov 2016 at 16:32

Hi guys,

Those with custom loops what coolant do you use and why?

Can you also state the metals in your loop too please and what maintenance is involved in how often it needs changing and if any gunk or residue is left behind.

I'm having trouble deciding what to use for my new loop

BriT · 25 Nov 2016 at 16:38

I just use mayhem x1 uv blue. Never had any problems with leaving it for over a year

Bone9 · 25 Nov 2016 at 16:39

BriT said:
I just use mayhem x1 uv blue. Never had any problems with leaving it for over a year

What metals have you got in your loop mate?

BriT · 25 Nov 2016 at 16:44

I'm not sure. Will check when in home.

Radox-0 · 25 Nov 2016 at 16:44

I used to use Aurora 2 Silver in main build, looked awsome, but faded after 4-5 months (expected) but now just changed to distilled water, though is some traces of Aurora swirls. Not had any issues, but clean it every year. Metals is copper plated nickle (blocks), copper pipes in radiator and the tubing is Alphacools brass plated chrome stuff, no issues with gunk and whatnot.

HTPC build uses Mayhems white pastel in a 1/3 ratio with Distilled water and no issues a year on. Blocks and radiator similar to above, but tubing is Acrylic.

Raggs · 25 Nov 2016 at 16:49

using the stuff below swapped it out after 12 months last year no gunk or staining gonna leave it another 12 months. bottle says 2 year shelf life

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/xspc-ec6-coolant-blue-uv-wc-152-xs.html

metals my bay res has some in built silver plugs that dip into the water.

Robzere31 · 25 Nov 2016 at 16:54

Halfords distilled water along with about 10-12 drops of Mayhems blood red dye.
System is 12 months old & fluid has been changed once when I stripped it down to make a small tubing change.

Bone9 · 25 Nov 2016 at 16:56

Radox-0 said:
I used to use Aurora 2 Silver in main build, looked awsome, but faded after 4-5 months (expected) but now just changed to distilled water, though is some traces of Aurora swirls. Not had any issues, but clean it every year. Metals is copper plated nickle (blocks), copper pipes in radiator and the tubing is Alphacools brass plated chrome stuff, no issues with gunk and whatnot.

HTPC build uses Mayhems white pastel in a 1/3 ratio with Distilled water and no issues a year on. Blocks and radiator similar to above, but tubing is Acrylic.

Is that straight distilled water or have you added anything to it?

Was tempted by the pastel white but herd the pastels gunk stuff up and leave a mess after.

Bone9 · 25 Nov 2016 at 17:02

Raggs said:
using the stuff below swapped it out after 12 months last year no gunk or staining gonna leave it another 12 months. bottle says 2 year shelf life

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/xspc-ec6-coolant-blue-uv-wc-152-xs.html

metals my bay res has some in built silver plugs that dip into the water.

How long does the uv last for?

Zen70 · 25 Nov 2016 at 17:08

I use distilled water and EK Ekoolant EVO Clear Concentrate. My whole loop is all EK Copper Blocks and Radiators. I use Primochill - Primoflex Advanced LRT Soft Tubing.

My water stays clear as and all my blocks are clean as well. I have no gunk, no residue, and my clear tubing remains clear and clean too.

Every 12 months for the purpose of putting in fresh EK EKoolant,and fresh distilled water, I drain my loop and open up all my blocks and give them a light clean in distilled water. I also put all new tubing as well.

I could go longer than 12 months if I wanted to, but I like to renew everything at the 12 month mark. I have always done it this way and have never had any problems whatsoever.

But even at the 12 month mark, everything still looks clear and clean.

EK EKoolant Clear Concentrate is all I use, as it has everything required to keep your loop water healthy.

8 Pack · 25 Nov 2016 at 17:31

Mayhems in everything I build. For me the best range, quality and longevity.

Bone9 · 25 Nov 2016 at 17:42

Zen70 said:
I use distilled water and EK Ekoolant EVO Clear Concentrate. My whole loop is all EK Copper Blocks and Radiators. I use Primochill - Primoflex Advanced LRT Soft Tubing.

My water stays clear as and all my blocks are clean as well. I have no gunk, no residue, and my clear tubing remains clear and clean too.

Every 12 months for the purpose of putting in fresh EK EKoolant,and fresh distilled water, I drain my loop and open up all my blocks and give them a light clean in distilled water. I also put all new tubing as well.

I could go longer than 12 months if I wanted to, but I like to renew everything at the 12 month mark. I have always done it this way and have never had any problems whatsoever.

But even at the 12 month mark, everything still looks clear and clean.

EK EKoolant Clear Concentrate is all I use, as it has everything required to keep your loop water healthy.

That sounds good, what does it look light when lit up with case lighting?

Bone9 · 25 Nov 2016 at 17:43

8 Pack said:
Mayhems in everything I build. For me the best range, quality and longevity.

How do you find the pastels? Leave and gunk/residue behind?

Radox-0 · 25 Nov 2016 at 18:24

Bone9 said:
Is that straight distilled water or have you added anything to it?

Was tempted by the pastel white bur herd the pastels gunk stuff up and leave a mess after.

Straight distilled though as I say it looks to have trace elements of Aurora in which apparently has a biocide in it.

Not had any issues with pastel gunking up or leaving a mess thus far and that's a year in. All blocks are plexiglass so can see the channels and they look fine and temps are great.

Bone9 · 25 Nov 2016 at 18:26

That's good to know, thanks.

Disco_P · 25 Nov 2016 at 18:38

Never had any gunk with over a year of mayhems pastel white. Same with EK ekoolant yellow (made by mayhems as well). I buy the concentrate and mix it woth halfords battery top up water. Loop has brass, copper and nickel and uses primochill advanced lrt.

Raggs · 25 Nov 2016 at 18:55

Bone9 said:
How long does the uv last for?

the led uv strip i bought has packed up

but it still works the uv effect tested with some old uv cathodes so still working after 12 months.

mattyc123 · 25 Nov 2016 at 18:56

I use mayhem's pastel red, because I think it is a quality coolant and I believe it has inhibitors in it. Also not had a problem in 5 years of water cooling with their coolant (not the same stuff for 5 years)

pastymuncher · 25 Nov 2016 at 18:59

Used to use de-ionised water with Primochill Liquid Utopia which at one point went just over 2.5 years between drains with no issues. As you can't get Liquid Utopia in the UK anymore I have switched to Mayhems X1 red.

Bone9 · 25 Nov 2016 at 19:38

Seams like mayhem's is the way to go then. Was just put off from Jayztwocents utube vids etc.

Do you guys flush out your rads before installing for the first time? If so what with? Do I need to do any other prep on a new loop?

Thanks