Strange Foam in Watercooling Setup

A_Darkfire · 30 Sep 2006 at 17:01

Hi,

I've final got everything I need to build a new custom watercooling system and having done all the piping, I'm now doing an integrity test. However the moment I added in some Zerex additive to the mix, the water in the system started foaming! :eek:

Is this normal? Or should I stop the test and try and clean it out? It looks like it has soap in it, but I used de-ionised water only... :confused:

ichabod crane · 30 Sep 2006 at 17:06

what pump are you running? if its adjustable turn it down. i sometimes get lots of tiny bubbles when i put my system together for leak testing they go after a short while

A_Darkfire · 30 Sep 2006 at 17:19

I'm using a DDC Pro pump...how would I turn it down?

ichabod crane · 30 Sep 2006 at 17:27

ah cant adjust them, how long has it been running now? and what reservoir do you have, i know somebody else who had a this he had a DDC it was to powerful for is little res and was making bubbles he cured this by putting some sponge in the reservoir

A_Darkfire · 30 Sep 2006 at 17:30

It's been running about an hour now...

I'm using a XSPC 150, it's quite large.

ichabod crane · 30 Sep 2006 at 17:36

seems you have a strange predicament, can you get some pics? leave it bit longer if it dont go you may need to drain and redo im out of ideas at the moment sorry, if i come up with some more i will get them posted

A_Darkfire · 30 Sep 2006 at 17:50

Well I'm going to leave it a while and see if it gets better, then leave it off over night. If it still like it, I'll have to drain it and try and get it clean...

weescott · 30 Sep 2006 at 18:26

probably just need to add more water to the loop.

A_Darkfire · 30 Sep 2006 at 18:40

Already full...

samcat · 30 Sep 2006 at 18:43

Patience.. When I used to use purple ice even a small amount would cause it to foam initially, after 24-48 hours it would stop

How much additive did you add? Dont need much.
SAm C

Mr Mister · 30 Sep 2006 at 19:56

yea its fine, mine would always foam with zerex additive but it will disappear after a while. Nothing to worry about.

A_Darkfire · 1 Oct 2006 at 09:52

Well I emptied the system this morning and it looked like it was making soap! :confused:

I'll clean the whole system with some spirit vinger and try again...if it foams again when I add the Zerex then I'll leave running a couple of days see if it stops after a while...

MikeTimbers · 1 Oct 2006 at 11:43

Foam is normal! It will go on its own if left long enough. One way to reduce flow is to pinch the tubing. Another trick is to add the Zerex to the water before you pour the water into the loop - this allows the Zerex to mix properly with the water. When you add it to an already filled loop, it creates a high concentration of Zerex at the point where it was added and when that hits the pump, you get huge turbulence and loads of bubbles.

But it is normal to get bubbles - that's why I won't use the stuff

Rob43 · 1 Oct 2006 at 12:21

Never though of mixing the zerex with the water before you fill.Have to remember that

Rob

Cob · 1 Oct 2006 at 16:29

I've a bottle of Zerex sitting here but haven't got around to changing my coolant yet. Is there much difference in temps between it and the Thermatalke Bigwater coolant?

Mr Mister · 1 Oct 2006 at 17:28

Rob43 said:
Never though of mixing the zerex with the water before you fill.Have to remember that

Rob

I never thought of not mixing it before i put it in!

It is so much easier!

A_Darkfire · 1 Oct 2006 at 20:38

I normally use pre-mixed stuff and I will in future...live and learn!

On a side note, once I cleaned out the loop it all fine, no foam and once I got the air out of the system, hardly any bubbles either....