Distilled Water & Additives

[BlacknTan]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I can't find the answer to this specific question.
My XSPC Rastorm EX240 D56 kit will be here today. Since this is my first attempt at watercooling, I want to be very careful not to have leaks, so I will be testing extensively before mobo and graphics are put into the case. My tubing will not be transparent, so colors are not an issue, and I will not be using any dyes.
So, it will be distilled water with either..

1. 10% automotive ethylene glycol based antifreeze. OR

2. PT Nuke as a biocide. OR

3. Silver kill coil

Anti-Freeze has protection from critters and corrosion at 50%. Not sure how much 10%, or even a bit more will do for me, so, could the biocide or kill coil ( or both?) be added?

If I went with the biocide at recommended solution, should I add a kill coil just in case? And what about an anti-corrosive?

I want to keep the system as clean as possible. I'm not worried about the pump or rad, but I do not know what the compression fittings are made of, and I don't know how resistant to corrosion the finish of these fittings is.

Sorry I couldn't find it in a search... I'm sure it's there, but I did my best.

 

[hmmblah]

I used PT nuke and a kill coil in my loop. I wouldn't touch antifreeze.

 

[airdeano]

i use mayhems biocide and distilled water. lately, have gone through
amazing amounts of water switching parts and systems... so using
a kill coil isnt needed, just the biocide.

if you are using shiny barbs, a single bitspower pure silver barb will
replace a kill coil as well. incognito or stealth bio agent.

the reason i use the mayhems biocide is i like to support product
manufacturers that specialize in that area and if a problem exists, they
respond quickly, professionally and it is all good. plus i like mr woods.

airdeano

 

[Master&Puppet]

I have to say that I just get premix. Currently using Mayhems X1 although I've used XSPCs beforehand. It don't think it's worth messing around with personally - you only need one bottle. With Mayhem selling separates though I could see how easy it can be.

Don't go near motor fluids. You won't just get anti-freeze and you'll have to google the other additives. Often they will ruin your tubing in short order.

 

[Vicey]

If I was you, just buy a quality premix. They are so cheap. I picked up two litres of the EK premix red for £10 and I'm safe in the knowledge it is perfect.

Sometimes when people make their own concoction at home they don't know how acidic their liquid is after they've added a few too many drops of PT Nuke or other additive and then their loops go bad, fast. If you do intend to make your own pick up some PH Strips to test your loop. But in my opinion just get a premix.

 

[airdeano]

If I was you, just buy a quality premix. They are so cheap. I picked up two litres of the EK premix red for £10 and I'm safe in the knowledge it is perfect.

Sometimes when people make their own concoction at home they don't know how acidic their liquid is after they've added a few too many drops of PT Nuke or other additive and then their loops go bad, fast. If you do intend to make your own pick up some PH Strips to test your loop. But in my opinion just get a premix.

thats why my choice for mayhems comes with pH testing for
correct control.

airdeano

 

[B NEGATIVE]

I just use DI and a biocide,no point in adding more crap to loop and nothing beats water for temps

 

[BlacknTan]

Thanks for all the observations...

The EX 240 Raystorm kit showed up today, and I must say it's pretty impressive. Every bit that's supposed to be there is there, and it appears to be a high quality kit. I'm glad I chose this klit over the seemingly still trouble plagued Corsair H 100 AIO.

In any case, I'm a bit scared or prepackaged coolants because I don't know what's in them. That might be good or bad, but I don't think I can go too far wrong with distilled water, biocide and kill coil.

I'm starting to put the pieces together and taking photos for my attempt at a build log. I'll keep you all posted. It's tentatively named "Paint it Black," and the Stones will leads off the build...

 

[airdeano]

you dont need both a biocide and kill coil, they do they same thing. kill algea
and fungual critters that we brew when we heat these systems up.

airdeano

 

[S_I_N]

been doing this for years and have tried lots of different things but IMHO DI and PT Nuke works the best for me.