Cleaning a water cooling system

[m0rte]

A couple of years ago I had a go at water cooling and failed miserably. I bought a complete kit with a CPU, chipset and GPU block but didn't do my research and kinda messed it up.
The main problem was a rapid build up of green stuff (alge?) in the tubes, probably due to residue in the radiator. I did use distilled water.

Anyway, I want to clean it up and get it working in and old system and would like to know the best way to give all the parts a thorough clean without going out and buying special cleaning agents.
Would soapy water be enough?

 

[mk17]

give the rad/blocks a good steeping with hot distilled vinegar, i.e. leave it to soak for c. 20 mins or so, then empty. if the vinegar comes out clear your done.

rinse thoroughly with distilled water before assembling. Add some biocide (e.g. PT_Nuke) to the system to prevent algae growth in future.

I wouldn't recommend soapy water at all.


hth.

 

[Defiance_co]

Clear vinegar and distilled water

Malt vinegar has caramels/sugars in for flavour/colouring so avoid them

If the algae has dried/caked on since last use, I would suggest a trip to a pet shop etc and get some algae-clear etc, Run it to breakdown the algae, Then rinse with distilled til clear, Then clear vinegar/distilled a few times to be safe

Finally do a few cleans with just distilled, Then use a coolant mix or make your own

Hope that helps

Ciao

Oops someone beat me to it

Def