Acrylic or PETG tube

[LePhuronn]

Derp, you're right I didn't associate compression with hard tubing as I never see plain push fit being used!

I have to use 3 push-fit on Asteria because those bits will be inaccessible to fingers. The joys of being mm tight!

OP: with both soft and hard tube using compression fittings, you have to be extra careful you get the right ones, because although they both "compress" to make a seal, they do so in different ways and are not compatible with each other. But there's nothing wrong with push fit, I did a quick test on an awkward point in my build and for the life of me couldn't get the acrylic tube back out afterwards! I ended up having to heat the acrylic to soften it and pull it out, fortunately the o-rings were fine past 80 degrees so they've not knackered.

Which, on a related note, is why I don't like PETG: it softens at 55-60 degrees. That's the temperature range of coolant in a flawed or failing water loop and if the coolant itself can soften PETG then you risk getting a blowout and dumping coolant everywhere.

 

[pastymuncher]

They work a little differently but there are compression fittings for hardline because I have some. I use the Barrow 12mm fittings (same as Bitspower but have Barrow on them). They have 3x internal O rings and 1x compression O ring. You slip the locking collar over the tubing followed by the compression O ring. Slid the tubing (must be chamfered and wet the O rings first) then slide the compression O ring to the end of the fitting and tighten the locking collar. They are excellent fittings and the tubing is not going to pull out. I have had no leaks and that is despite the fact it was my first attempt at hardline tubing. You can buy the Barrow fittings in various sizes on Ebay from a seller called mizucool from £3.60 plus delivery (he combines delivery). Hist PETG tubing is excellent as well and for £12.99 for 5x 500mm lengths is very reasonable.

A water temp monitor somewhere in the loop is a good idea and I wouldn't be without one. Some motherboards even allow you to plug the sensor in and set a alarm if the water temp goes over a certain temp. If your water temp hits 60 degrees you have multiple problems because most water cooling components including Rads, blocks, pumps and even soft tubing is only rated to 60 degrees C. Whatever you have watercooled is going to be throttling before you hit 60 degrees as well.

 

[_tucker_]

They work a little differently but there are compression fittings for hardline because I have some. I use the Barrow 12mm fittings (same as Bitspower but have Barrow on them). They have 3x internal O rings and 1x compression O ring. You slip the locking collar over the tubing followed by the compression O ring. Slid the tubing (must be chamfered and wet the O rings first) then slide the compression O ring to the end of the fitting and tighten the locking collar. They are excellent fittings and the tubing is not going to pull out. I have had no leaks and that is despite the fact it was my first attempt at hardline tubing. You can buy the Barrow fittings in various sizes on Ebay from a seller called mizucool from £3.60 plus delivery (he combines delivery). Hist PETG tubing is excellent as well and for £12.99 for 5x 500mm lengths is very reasonable.

A water temp monitor somewhere in the loop is a good idea and I wouldn't be without one. Some motherboards even allow you to plug the sensor in and set a alarm if the water temp goes over a certain temp. If your water temp hits 60 degrees you have multiple problems because most water cooling components including Rads, blocks, pumps and even soft tubing is only rated to 60 degrees C. Whatever you have watercooled is going to be throttling before you hit 60 degrees as well.

They are the same fittings that I have on order but I got them from across the pond on aliexpress, what was the delivery time like with yours on eBay? I’ll be waiting till I’m old and grey for mine but I did get them for a rock bottom price so can’t complain really. As for PETG tubes I’ve seen some for around £13 for 5 x1m lengths, I think either scan or overclockers themselves?? I’ll have to have a butchers again but that’s a solid price anyway and I’d rather a recommendation than a risk anyway so cheers I’ll have a look.
I have an aquero 6 with 2 flow meters and 4 water temp gauges that will tell then aquero if there’s a fault but they are aquastream xt pumps and from what I read there almost bullet proof. I’ll be ringing the aquero up to the main cables with the relay when I do my desk build so it will shut down the pc anyway as a failsafe so I should be covered.

 

[Legend]

They are the same fittings that I have on order but I got them from across the pond on aliexpress, what was the delivery time like with yours on eBay? I’ll be waiting till I’m old and grey for mine but I did get them for a rock bottom price so can’t complain really. As for PETG tubes I’ve seen some for around £13 for 5 x1m lengths, I think either scan or overclockers themselves?? I’ll have to have a butchers again but that’s a solid price anyway and I’d rather a recommendation than a risk anyway so cheers I’ll have a look.
I have an aquero 6 with 2 flow meters and 4 water temp gauges that will tell then aquero if there’s a fault but they are aquastream xt pumps and from what I read there almost bullet proof. I’ll be ringing the aquero up to the main cables with the relay when I do my desk build so it will shut down the pc anyway as a failsafe so I should be covered.

Barrow are OK, although I've personally had a few of their o-rings go on me. They always struck me as a bit soft. No brand is immune from faults though.

You'll also want to be sure that whatever fittings you get are the perfect fit for whatever tubing you go with. Sometimes minor discrepencies can make for a slightly too tight or too loose a fit. This can often be a good reason to the same brand tubing as your fittings, to ensure 100% compatibility. Regardless, you'll want to do some tests before you begin the process to ensure everything fits right.

 

[pastymuncher]

They are the same fittings that I have on order but I got them from across the pond on aliexpress, what was the delivery time like with yours on eBay? I’ll be waiting till I’m old and grey for mine but I did get them for a rock bottom price so can’t complain really. As for PETG tubes I’ve seen some for around £13 for 5 x1m lengths, I think either scan or overclockers themselves?? I’ll have to have a butchers again but that’s a solid price anyway and I’d rather a recommendation than a risk anyway so cheers I’ll have a look.

I got the fittings and tubing from him at the same time so my very well packaged parcel turned up in a couple of days. The Barrow fittings come sealed in individual bags and each bag also contains a pair of spare O rings. It is essential that you chamfer the end of the tubing and wet the O rings when inserting the tube or as Legend says, you can damage the O rings.

 

[Smffy]

I got the fittings and tubing from him at the same time so my very well packaged parcel turned up in a couple of days. The Barrow fittings come sealed in individual bags and each bag also contains a pair of spare O rings. It is essential that you chamfer the end of the tubing and wet the O rings when inserting the tube or as Legend says, you can damage the O rings.

I ordered a ton of Byski fittings, a couple of weeks from China via Ali but you are talking about getting them at £2 each which is a large saving when I need almost 40. All arrived in individual packets, now I just need to sell the 40 XSPC fittings im not gonna use xD

As far as I can tell they are virtually the same as Barrow if not the same and just different logo. The quality is actually great, better than many brands here. If you compare to a cheaper brand say monsoon, miles ahead. Some snaps:

 

[LePhuronn]

Barrow started out as the same OEM as Bitspower, just without the gaudy logo, extensive (and sometimes esoteric) product range and insane markup. Now I believe they are their own company and pushing out their own designs and products. They've maintained their quality though, which is a good sign.

Ultimately, Barrow are as good as Bitspower. Take from that what you will.

Edit: pre-caffeinated, post-bike ride brain misread "Bykski" as "Barrow". D'oh! Good to hear the Bykski fittings are respectable, might save me a couple of quid too on what's supposed to be a cheap, experimental mod project.

 

[LuckyBenski]

Edit: pre-caffeinated, post-bike ride brain misread "Bykski" as "Barrow". D'oh! Good to hear the Bykski fittings are respectable, might save me a couple of quid too on what's supposed to be a cheap, experimental mod project.

Don't feel too bad - I did the same thing and ordered £70 of Barrow gear this week

 

[pastymuncher]

@Smffy Bloody hell, 40 fittings!! How on earth do you need that many? Have fun with your leak testing. There are a few different types of barrow fittings and mine are quite different to your Bykski ones. Very similar internally apart from mine doesn't have the hex key slot but different externally. Here is a close up of a couple of mine (please excuse the cat hair).

Bykski needs to have a UK retailer. They sell some good stuff including blocks for some graphics cards that nobody else has bothered with and it must be a pain ordering from China all the time. Seeing as they have become so popular I am surprised they haven't already got a outlet here even if it's a Ebay store.

 

[LePhuronn]

Bykski needs to have a UK retailer.

They're on the rainforest, but it's only a smattering of seemingly random things. I have seen their stuff popping up in other places - I think the online store in The Netherlands has a few bits - so it's just a matter of time. Fleabay would be a good one though.

 

[Undesirable]

Imo acrylic is the better of the two because for me ethylene glycol coolant lasts much longer / more resistant to spoiling as long as you use compatible tubing which PETG isn't. Borosilicate glass tubing is even better for aesthetics.

 

[_tucker_]

@Smffy Bloody hell, 40 fittings!! How on earth do you need that many? Have fun with your leak testing. There are a few different types of barrow fittings and mine are quite different to your Bykski ones. Very similar internally apart from mine doesn't have the hex key slot but different externally. Here is a close up of a couple of mine (please excuse the cat hair).

Bykski needs to have a UK retailer. They sell some good stuff including blocks for some graphics cards that nobody else has bothered with and it must be a pain ordering from China all the time. Seeing as they have become so popular I am surprised they haven't already got a outlet here even if it's a Ebay store.

theese are the same fittings i ordered, are they the matt black ones? on ali page it just says black but they look matt and thats what i was after. i took a gamble. im going to need around 40 for my main pc and probably 10 for the second build for the time being before i get some cash to upgarde the parts. i went with 16mm because i love that chunky look! just a little worried i wont fit them on the rads with the fans it looks as though it will be very close lol

 

[Smffy]

@Smffy Bloody hell, 40 fittings!! How on earth do you need that many? Have fun with your leak testing. There are a few different types of barrow fittings and mine are quite different to your Bykski

Bykski needs to have a UK retailer

Yeah sorry they do more types but I meant I wanted the Barrow version of the same ones I ordered in Bykski - they do look almost identical.

There is an eBay outlet in the form of a well known water cooling shop, you will pay a bit more for the stuff but obviously at 2 quid a pop money to be made.

I need nearly 40 I think... Coz build is big. Really big.

4x480mm rads, the white bits in the part render are distro plates or will be.

 

[pastymuncher]

Ah the new giganticase. That's just huge!! 4x 480mm rads just to cool the cpu with no overclocking.

What on earth are you going to cool with that lot? That's going to be a impressive build. I presume you will be doing a build log?

 

[pastymuncher]

theese are the same fittings i ordered, are they the matt black ones? on ali page it just says black but they look matt and thats what i was after. i took a gamble. im going to need around 40 for my main pc and probably 10 for the second build for the time being before i get some cash to upgarde the parts. i went with 16mm because i love that chunky look! just a little worried i wont fit them on the rads with the fans it looks as though it will be very close lol

Yes, they are a matt, maybe satin finish. They look great and don't leak so I am happy with them.

 

[Smffy]

Ah the new giganticase. That's just huge!! 4x 480mm rads just to cool the cpu with no overclocking.

What on earth are you going to cool with that lot? That's going to be a impressive build. I presume you will be doing a build log?

Liquid cooling a stock Nintendo DS mounted in the centre.

It’s a stripped 1000D which is being modified, log is there just a bit behind . CPU and two 2080Ti, it’s overkill I know but it’s a bit of fun.

Yes, they are a matt, maybe satin finish. They look great and don't leak so I am happy with them.

Worth noting that the anodising on both these fittings is really good, very bright colours if anyone’s going non black. Agree on the fit - triple seal is very good, takes a lot of force to pull the tube out once fitted and is very stable.

 

[_tucker_]

Liquid cooling a stock Nintendo DS mounted in the centre.

It’s a stripped 1000D which is being modified, log is there just a bit behind . CPU and two 2080Ti, it’s overkill I know but it’s a bit of fun.



Worth noting that the anodising on both these fittings is really good, very bright colours if anyone’s going non black. Agree on the fit - triple seal is very good, takes a lot of force to pull the tube out once fitted and is very stable.

Well that’s good to hear I was worried the compression type fittings only had 1 rubber seal because I couldn’t really see in the picture so I took a gamble, I could see the other brands push fit had at least 3 and some 4. I’ll make sure i got the old spit polish out when inserting them.
I have probably over 100 fittings if not more on my current build, I collected them over the years with all the elbows and extensions and adapters ect so I’ll no doubt sell them off if I can and that should pay for my new ones, I won’t need vends in the new set up as I’ll be bending the tube

 

[Smffy]

Well that’s good to hear I was worried the compression type fittings only had 1 rubber seal because I couldn’t really see in the picture so I took a gamble, I could see the other brands push fit had at least 3 and some 4. I’ll make sure i got the old spit polish out when inserting them.
I have probably over 100 fittings if not more on my current build, I collected them over the years with all the elbows and extensions and adapters ect so I’ll no doubt sell them off if I can and that should pay for my new ones, I won’t need vends in the new set up as I’ll be bending the tube

Yep these have 3 internal seals and 1 under the cap to hold it firm. I have 40 just the normal fittings

 

[dingleweed]

@dingleweed Here you go. I have stuck the pictures in spoilers.

Wow, that's quite a professional looking box o' rads. The setup looks very special. I like the manual fan control, you can control fans in an instant without any nonsense.

 

[_tucker_]

I need 1m lengths of PETG for the build as 500mm won’t be long enough for a couple runs and I don’t want to have joints in the pipe, anyone used a different brand tube with barrow fittings? I mean in theory they should all be indentical but I don’t want to risk it,
I can’t find 1m length barrow tubes anywhere so I assume they don’t make them so I have no choice but to mix brands. Overclockers sell mayhems and ek ones relatively cheap so I’d have to use that. To be honest shipping on barrow tubes are quite high anyway so I could do the lot with another brand besides the fittings