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How reliable is checking the waterline on the reservoir for leaks?

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  • Overclocking
  • Water Cooling
Last response: in Overclocking
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October 2, 2014 8:30:51 AM

So I recently changed my system up from watercooled HD7970 after 2 years to 2 watercooled R9 290xs in cf. Basically the system leak tested fine (24 hours, no visual leaks + but the reservoir line did go down slightly) now its been running for around 2 months.

Since then the reservoir has gone down ever so slightly (around 5 millimeters max lower on a bitspower z multi reservoir - I'd say around 1.8-3 milliliters lost).

Am I safe to assume that this is just the loop bleeding very slowly? To be fair my loop is pretty complex (3 Rads, 3 water blocks, fittings, e.t.c). I must say I have seen no visual leaks, but with a leak that slow it will evaporate off before I can see, should I be worried?

More about : reliable checking waterline reservoir leaks

a c 170 K Overclocking
October 2, 2014 8:39:31 AM

Air Bubbles were released from the coolant.....seasonal temperatures are dropping too but that difference is small (0.1%) . My loop holds 2000 ml so with a 10F drop, 0.1% is 2.0 ml.
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Best solution

October 2, 2014 8:42:05 AM

By the time there is a noticeable difference in your reservoir, it will most likely be too late. It's best just to check the fittings every week to few weeks to make sure they're still tight. One thing about compression fittings is that you will be able to tighten them up a little more each week after you put them on for about a month or so. So just snug them up for a few weeks after your build is done and you should be fine.
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October 2, 2014 8:42:48 AM

JackNaylorPE said:
Air Bubbles were released from the coolant.....seasonal temperatures are dropping too but that difference is small (0.1%) . My loop holds 2000 ml so with a 10F drop, 0.1% is 2.0 ml.


2000ml??? What all you got on that thing?
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October 2, 2014 8:44:01 AM

I've got a 240mm rad, a single bay res, one cpu block, one gpu block, and only about 3 feet of 3/8 ID tubing and that only adds up to about 500ml.
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a c 170 K Overclocking
October 2, 2014 8:45:51 AM

Swiftech 35x2 Dual Pump
XT45-420 Radiator
UT60-280 Radiator
2 x EK Full Cover GPU Water Blocks w/ backplates (routed in parallel)
250mm EK Reservoir
10/12 Rigid Acrylic Tubing
About 50 Bitspower Fittings



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October 2, 2014 8:49:33 AM

JackNaylorPE said:
Swiftech 35x2 Dual Pump
XT45-420 Radiator
UT60-280 Radiator
2 x EK Full Cover GPU Water Blocks w/ backplates (routed in parallel)
250mm EK Reservoir
10/12 Rigid Acrylic Tubing
About 50 Bitspower Fittings



Wow 50 fittings? Do you have T's in your loop or something? I'm only counting room for about 14-16 on all your components.

Sounds like a really nice set-up. You got any pics?
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October 2, 2014 8:50:13 AM

Oh just saw it. Wow nice. I hope to be on that level some day =P
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a c 170 K Overclocking
October 2, 2014 8:50:43 AM

Some fittings take 3 fittings to make...an elbow for example takes C47 + C68 + the 90
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October 2, 2014 8:50:48 AM

Oh you need more fittings for all the elbows since it's rigid. Didn't think about that.
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October 2, 2014 8:53:21 AM



This is mine. Not the best pic, I've since upgraded a few things though.
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October 2, 2014 8:57:10 AM

I kinda like the flexible tubing look though, how it all kinda jumps around and looks more "organic" if you will. Rigid tubing is definitely very classy. But yes, it's a constant project to make it look nicer and nicer, I refuse to get a different case though so that makes it a little more difficult. Just a challenge I enjoy though.
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a c 170 K Overclocking
October 2, 2014 9:03:13 AM

Oh that's drives me crazy..... I'd spend hours shaving 1.2 mm at a time off a tube cause it wasn't perfectly vertical or horizontal :) 
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October 2, 2014 9:25:13 AM

If I had rigid tubing I would do the same haha
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October 3, 2014 7:50:23 AM

I'm about to move my PC, once its moved, ill be doing another leak test - just before the leak test (after the move obvs) I'll tighten up the fittings I can, some are in a awkward place, but not near any components so I'll leave them alone as reaching them may just loosen other compenents.
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