Algae in the loop

Krillian · 19 May 2021 at 12:35

Hi everyone,

I've build my PC a few month back with a temporary water cooling loop. Temporary as I am still waiting for my 3080 to arrive one day!

The current loop is radiator - CPU block - reservoir. I did not realise that using just distilled water could cause algae to grow... As this was a temporary loop didn't bother with a premixed liquid.

Anyway, so I have tints of green now appearing in the reservoir and the CPU block. I do not particularly want to take it apart before I get the GPU and have to rebuild it anyway.

Question is, how dangerous is it to leave as is for the next few months (hoping it's just a few more months)? Can I add something to the loop to prevent further spread or maybe kill it off entirely?

Thank you in advance!

~Krill

Krillian · 19 May 2021 at 12:58

Would it be safe to keep the loop running with bleach in it?

What if I just added like 200ml of premixed liquid to the loop? Or should I just add some concentrate?

Krillian · 19 May 2021 at 13:26

Nickel and copper.

Thank you for the suggestions!

Krillian · 19 May 2021 at 13:29

MAYHAMS 15ML BIOCIDE+ - would just adding some of this work?

Krillian · 19 May 2021 at 16:14

Jamin280672 said:
Its a load of rubbish and actually tarnished my tubes, I found even if you want to just run a clear liquid, just buy some pre-mix clear like EK stuff, do not use a silver kill coil in your system, I found out years ago the hard way, it reacts with nickle and will slowly strip the nickle plating off your block, and that will simply be in your water then until you clean everything and flush, also requiring a new block.

This is what happens to nickle plated parts with a silver kill coil in the system : Metals cross reacting? - Imgur

Thanks for letting me know about Mayhems, I knew about the silver coil

Think if I get the EKWB concentrate instead and just add it to my loop it will do the job?

Krillian · 19 May 2021 at 17:10

Jamin280672 said:
if youve got alge in there then your going to have to drain, clean and flush, once it starts growing, theres no stopping it, its a live bacteria.

That I get, but I don't want to do it until I get my GPU, so was just looking for a way to slow it down for a few month until that happens...

Krillian · 19 May 2021 at 17:30

Jamin280672 said:
Soft or hard tubing ?

Hard

Krillian · 19 May 2021 at 18:03

Jamin280672 said:
Just get a thin bottle brush and clean it all out when your GPU arrives, you'll have to strip the block and use some hot soapy water and something like a toothbrush to clean the parts, and use some white vinegar in the radiators, make sure you flush good and proper, you dont want any acid from the vinegar left in the rad's, you could try some biocide for now to try and slow it, but its all still going to need cleaing afterwards.

Thank you!