Should a WC loop "use" water

G-Dubs

G-Dubs

G-Dubs

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I've just started using my first WC set up and I'd swear that the water level in the res is going down slightly although i'm not convinced i'm not imagining it.

I have checked for leaks again and again and all is bone dry.

I notice condensation forms on the inside of the res, although the temps are good.

Do water cooling systems lose a very small amount of water to the atmosphere this way?

Basically is this normal?
 
The short answer is - YES

There are a few reasons why this may happen but as long as you have no leaks, then you don't have a problem
 
It takes weeks for a system to fully bleed itself. This will use a little water after the innitial bleeding process. If you don't have any leaks then I wouldn't worry about it.
 
I use an EK 25 multi-option and find in the first few days of filling it it drops about half an inch.
I was in the same position as you thinking there was a leak the first time i did the loop so no need to panic.
 
If you've just started using it, then the chances are that the water level isn't changing, but as w3bbo said, it could just be air from the bleeding process escaping. Is your reservoir fillport open or closed? Also don't worry, my res also appears to have condensation on the top, there's nothing wrong with it :)
 
Thanks for the reassurance guys. i think it's probably the bleeding thing. I've been using it for about a week now and at first was hearing quite a bit of gurgling every now and then, which has now largely subsided.

I did have the top of the res loosely closed, as I was worried about building pressure in the system, but now have it closed off with a plug.

I now have lovely clear bubble free water
 
If it fell quite drastically then you probablly had some pockets of air in your radiator that have now been filled by water.
 
little air bubbles get trapped in places you don't see and over time they get dissolved into the water and end up in the tank, thus giving you the impression that the water level dropped. the first few days of using a water loop always require some filling up.
from there onwards you will need to top up every few months because believe it or not, water molecules find their way out through joints and even through the hose walls themselves. I used to top up mine every 6 months or so and all it required was a about a shot glass. everyone needs a drink every now and then :p
condensation inside the tank is normal. it's just the water evaporating and droplets sticking on the tank walls.
if you see no leaks, you are good to go.
 
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I have to top mine up so often, there is a degree of evaporation involved, for example if the top on your res is not fully screwed on, air as bled out the system, eg. located in the waterblocks and rad.
 
TheCenturion said:
If it continues to drop, just fill it up a bit, but if it keeps going down, then that might be a problem.
Click to expand...

Problem as in leak? or other problem?

Is it best to keep the top of the res screwed down or just loose to give a bit of room to breath?
 
G-Dubs said:
Problem as in leak? or other problem?

Is it best to keep the top of the res screwed down or just loose to give a bit of room to breath?
Click to expand...

Yes, it would indicate a very small leak somewhere.

I just kept the lid off the res while leak testing, and kept it off until all of the tubes were free of bubbles, then I dumped my silver coil in and kept the the reservoir lid on.
 
G-Dubs
Sorry for the poor explanation yesterday but I did not have a lot of time to give a good answer as I had to go to work last night.
So to answer the question

The level in a res does go down, especially on a new build.
The causes of this is air being trapped in the system and the level drops as the air makes its way to the top of the res.
The space the air had previously taken up is then filled by the fluid causing the level to drop. (hopefully that is clear enough as I have now been up for almost 24hrs) :eek:

From what you have said, the problem has been air trapped in your system.
You have to now make sure that all the air has been removed.
If your system sounds like a drain, the level goes up in the res when the pump is shut off or you have a hiss sound from the res when you take the top off.
Then you have air in your system. Also the fluid can hold micro air bubbles in the system, a little like a glass of pop. This again takes time to come out of the system.

As for the top of the res (on or off)
I go with on but not fully tight so any air can escape.
Once the system is fully bled, I tighten the top to ensure no spillages if anything is moved.

Of to bed now, I hope this information is helpful. :)
 
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