UV Damage on WC tubes?

hadri · 19 Apr 2016 at 07:57

Just stripping my loop for the first time since I built it about 16 months ago (been putting it off) and the tubes look like this:

http://i1308.photobucket.com/albums...04/IMG_20160418_211352851_HDR_zpst5ly9ve5.jpg

The one I'm comparing to isn't even new, it was some offcut and looks like I've used it at some point. You can see the ends of the tubes where the fittings have been. The clear blocks and res tubes are fine.

I've been using Mayhems green UV coolant, but I'm convinced thats the UV lights causing the discoloration, especially where the fittings have protected it. Thoughts? Is this normal!?

Tube is masterkleer

Also photobucket is rubbish, any alternatives? Everyone seems to like imgur??

Mayhems · 19 Apr 2016 at 08:05

Masterkleer is made by alphacool / aquatuning / phobya (all the same company) and they have over 6 different types of tubing. So saying what it is isn't easy but it probably will be dye stain along with UV reaction. Tubing is a throw away item so just replace it

.

hadri · 19 Apr 2016 at 08:15

Thanks for the fast reply! Oh it's not the end of the world - just tubing as you say and I was going to replace it anyway. I was just blown away how much it had deteriorated!

dragos1977 · 21 Apr 2016 at 17:10

Unfortunately this is the bad side of clear tubing.

VKleita · 21 Apr 2016 at 22:05

Noticed something similar with a few types of tubing I use.
One section runs across a window ledge to an external rad, It always amazes me how quickly it gets a cloudy look to itself due to I presume sunlight as the rest of the rig doesn't do anything similar.

hadri · 22 Apr 2016 at 08:51

Its a shame I'm so heavily invested in UV now - half of the inside of the case is painted in UV reactive paint! It's an argument for going hardline I guess

Mayhems · 23 Apr 2016 at 00:11

What UV leds are you using?

hadri · 25 Apr 2016 at 08:58

They were Phobya's UV led strips. Although I've changed them out on my rebuild with uv cold cathodes

Mayhems · 26 Apr 2016 at 05:01

They were Phobya's UV led strips

I can guarantee you straight away Phobya Leds strips are cheap useless rubbish. They do not give off good UV reactions at all. There one of the worst if not "the worst" UV Leds strips ever created and the band on them is so tiny they are out of range of most UV coolants. Ditch them and go for a much better brand and never turn back.

One thing to note Phonya LED strips also amit UV levels and ranges that are actually bordering on illegal. Put a sun uv level tester near them and you'll see actually registering on it. These leds Damage and ruin not only coolants but also tubing. We did tell them about this along time ago and they chose to ignore our findings.

Krowzer · 26 Apr 2016 at 09:41

Mayhems said:
I can guarantee you straight away Phobya Leds strips are cheap useless rubbish. They do not give off good UV reactions at all. There one of the worst if not "the worst" UV Leds strips ever created and the band on them is so tiny they are out of range of most UV coolants. Ditch them and go for a much better brand and never turn back.

One thing to note Phonya LED strips also amit UV levels and ranges that are actually bordering on illegal. Put a sun uv level tester near them and you'll see actually registering on it. These leds Damage and ruin not only coolants but also tubing. We did tell them about this along time ago and they chose to ignore our findings.

Thought I'd chime in on this thread...

What would you recommend for LEDs? I'm using Darkside LEDs which are regarded as some of the best around yet the Mayhems UV white i've used has lost its UV reaction in less than 3 months of use.

Here's a picture to show you the difference between 3 months of use and new...

Mayhems · 26 Apr 2016 at 12:04

Darkside are the best, UV in the UV white does lose its glow for one of three reasons.

1) Sunlight / UVC
2) PH imbalance (very Ph sensitive)
3) Age + excessive heat

We are working on a new formula to fix the above issues.

Krowzer · 26 Apr 2016 at 19:53

Hmm who knows then, I'm pretty sure its not excessive heat or PH imbalance but my PC lives in a south facing room so could be sunlight issue.

Looking forward to trying the new formula when its ready.

Give me a shout if you need a tester

hadri · 27 Apr 2016 at 08:15

Mayhems said:
I can guarantee you straight away Phobya Leds strips are cheap useless rubbish.

Wow, glad I'm ditching them now! I've just put the new coolant in and wow what a difference, I'm sure the old coolant was damaged too, this new stuff looks ace!

I've replaced the lights with revoltec UV cold cathodes, any good? I was intending to keep some of the Phobya's, but following your comments, they're going!

Mayhems · 28 Apr 2016 at 07:48

hadri said:
Wow, glad I'm ditching them now! I've just put the new coolant in and wow what a difference, I'm sure the old coolant was damaged too, this new stuff looks ace!

I've replaced the lights with revoltec UV cold cathodes, any good? I was intending to keep some of the Phobya's, but following your comments, they're going!

Ive never tried that brand but most CC are fine, decent ones costs a lot of money as they have aluminum encased inverters and the glass on the tube is thicker. (these type are about £40 a single set)

Did a little research Revoltech is owned by Listan GmbH & Co. KG who also own be-quiet - the CC's are typical Chinese import and have been around a long time, make sure you do not cover the air holes in the inverter and you should be oky.

hadri · 28 Apr 2016 at 12:02

Mayhems said:
Ive never tried that brand but most CC are fine, decent ones costs a lot of money as they have aluminum encased inverters and the glass on the tube is thicker. (these type are about £40 a single set)

Did a little research Revoltech is owned by Listan GmbH & Co. KG who also own be-quiet - the CC's are typical Chinese import and have been around a long time, make sure you do not cover the air holes in the inverter and you should be oky.

Nice things cost money I guess! OK thats great, thanks for all your help!