Loop upgrade - Fluid choice recommendations

Deathjester · 28 Feb 2024 at 00:53

I've just purchased a new distro plate for my loop.
Which inevitably means an entire rework of my entire loop...
So I've added a new radiator and upgraded some fans etc.

But obviously I need to drain and re-fill my loop. I've been using Mayhem's X1 Clear for the loop for about 4 years now (not the same solution), is this still the best option? Or should I be looking at something else?

Both loops are primarily EK kit + AquaComputer D5 Next pumps & BitsPower Black Sparkle fittings with Mayhem's glass tubes.

Shilz · 2 Mar 2024 at 10:46

Currently using AquaComputer DP Ultra in Clear - Been in the loop for around 5 months now and its been great

Parsley · 2 Mar 2024 at 12:42

You're probably fine sticking with the Mayhems if you haven't had any problems

. I've been using XT1 quite happily for awhile now.

Sin_Chase · 3 Mar 2024 at 13:01

Been using X1 clear for donkeys years. Given I've never had any issues with it I stick with it.

kaku · 4 Mar 2024 at 11:05

Another vote for X1 clear. The staining and hassle isn't worth it for coloured coolants unless you're literally taking glamour shots then immediately disassembling/cleaning.

Jay85 · 4 Mar 2024 at 12:25

Halfords Battery water lol, me and a few others on here use it and never had any issues. About £5 for a 5 litre bottle, i've been using this stuff for around 8 years now.

Mcnumpty2323 · 4 Mar 2024 at 15:36

I have even in emergency
Resorted to water from my condenser dryer :cry:

But yeah @Jay85 is probably right
Deionised water and some biocide
Lot cheaper than several litres of coolant from ek etc

mountaincow · 10 Mar 2024 at 23:43

Jay85 said:
Halfords Battery water lol, me and a few others on here use it and never had any issues. About £5 for a 5 litre bottle, i've been using this stuff for around 8 years now.

I get my deionised water from Tesco. £1.50 for 2.5 litre!

Sin_Chase · 11 Mar 2024 at 13:08

Not that I have any personal experience but deionised water becomes slightly acidic over time and is corrosive.

DI (and to some extent distilled water) requires careful product selection (metals and coatings) as well as consideration to inhibitors/ph buffers. Are you guys using it putting proper additives in?

As to what damage you could cause running it bare without additives and over what time is to be seen I'm not sure its worth the risk of trashing components to save a few quid

I would be curious to see what pH your loop water tests at with a pH strip (More for giggles than anything else)

pugheaven · 29 Mar 2024 at 15:51

I've been using EK Cryofluid for 4 years and it's been perfect, mixing and matching metals and not a single bit of corrosion on my recent upgrade so for me, I'll always stay EK Cryo!

R.C.Anderson · 3 Apr 2024 at 14:00

I used Mayhems X1 for nearing on 10 years I think it was. It had discoloured quite significantly, but was still working well.

Recently gone with EK Cryofluid for me new build, but mainly because it's the only one I found that I could get the colour I wanted (orange). Been running for a couple months now & not had an issue, but it's early days yet.

Jay85 · 3 Apr 2024 at 17:40

R.C.Anderson said:
I used Mayhems X1 for nearing on 10 years I think it was. It had discoloured quite significantly, but was still working well.

Recently gone with EK Cryofluid for me new build, but mainly because it's the only one I found that I could get the colour I wanted (orange). Been running for a couple months now & not had an issue, but it's early days yet.

Mayhems have a few colours releasing soon, they're just in trial phase now. Well worth checking out at some point.

R.C.Anderson · 5 Apr 2024 at 18:38

Jay85 said:
Mayhems have a few colours releasing soon, they're just in trial phase now. Well worth checking out at some point.

I did ask them directly about it, and they did send me a few photos of a new colour they were sorting, but it still didn't look right unfortunatly.

Jay85 · 5 Apr 2024 at 19:20

R.C.Anderson said:
I did ask them directly about it, and they did send me a few photos of a new colour they were sorting, but it still didn't look right unfortunatly.

Ah fair enough, what colour is it you're after?

pre · 6 Apr 2024 at 01:28

Any reason you aren't using Aquacomputer DP Ultra? I thought the flow meter calculations on their NEXT was only calibrated for their fluid?

Too Tall · 6 Apr 2024 at 20:38

Another vote for X1, been using it in my loop for the last year or two without issue.

embalse · 6 Apr 2024 at 22:18

Same here, I use Halfords Battery water. Works a treat.

jabski · 7 Apr 2024 at 07:48

mountaincow said:
I get my deionised water from Tesco. £1.50 for 2.5 litre!

another vote for this. Dye can be added if you want colour

embalse · 7 Apr 2024 at 09:01

jabski said:
another vote for this. Dye can be added if you want colour

Ya I forgot I also add dye to my battery water, no need to spend a fortune

Avathar77 · 7 Apr 2024 at 09:28

Jay85 said:
Halfords Battery water lol, me and a few others on here use it and never had any issues. About £5 for a 5 litre bottle, i've been using this stuff for around 8 years now.

Do you add any biocide?
I used to do this with my very first build over 12 years ago. But changed to X1 clear as it was relatively cheap back then. I can see it has gone up since.
This thread reminds me that I need to check/clean my loop which is about 2 years running with X1 clear with only a small top up.