Aqugate - To Coolant or not to Coolant?

Distilled water plus a corrosive additive.
I prefer non-conductive coolants, in case of a leak.
How often do you have to fill it?

1. Distilled water (100% - no additives)
Strengths:

* Excellent thermal properties
Weaknesses:

* No corrosion inhibition
* Various microorganisms may flourish

2. Distilled water and super coolant additive of your choice*
Strengths:

* Good/Excellent thermal properties
* Good corrosion resistance (depending on the effectiveness of
additive)
Weaknesses:

* May not provide any protection against microorganism growth

3. Distilled water, super coolant*, and biocide of your choice
Strengths:

* Good/Excellent thermal properties
* Good corrosion resistance (depending on the effectiveness of additive)
* Good protection against microorganism growth (depending on the additive)
Weaknesses:

* Added complexity and cost

4. Distilled water, 15% automotive antifreeze, super coolant*, and biocide of your choice
Strengths:

* Fair/Good thermal properties
* Good corrosion resistance (depending on the effectiveness of additive)
* Good protection against microorganism growth (depending on the additive)
* Sense of security - some people just feel better using this mix
Weaknesses:

* Added complexity and cost
* Higher viscosity - potentially lower flow rate
* Toxic to pets and humans

5. Distilled water, 30% Methanol, super coolant of your choice*
Strengths:

* Good thermal properties
* Good corrosion resistance (depending on the effectiveness of additive
* Good protection against microorganism growth
* Offers freeze protection down to -30ºC
Weaknesses:

* Added complexity and cost
* Toxic to pets and humans
* Flammable .

Just so you know

Give link75 a



Very interesting stuff, thanks!

IIRC Some Crays were liquid cooled too ;-)

Semper Fi Linux on

it depends on the type of cooling apparatus type of coolant you are using.
n a closed loop system, maintenance is minor. Maybe once a month make sure the water level is OK (should be no evaporation) and that's about it. Good pumps are designed for continuous running, are guaranteed for two years and require no maintenance.
Readymade coolants in closed systems last slightly longer than homemade ones.some ready made coolants are recommended to be changed every 6 months but generally there is no hard and fast rule.
Change should be undertaken if it becomes cloudy, fungal growth or cooling temps become unsatisfactory.

Note- almost all water setups have 2 seperate types of metals (usually copper in the heatspeader and aluminium in the radiator) this will essentially crate a kind of electrolytic cell and slowly ionise the water increasing its conductivity and(making it more dangerous if it spills) and also final reduction of its thermal properties.

Some simple facts- http://fredrik.hubbe.net/silence/w [...] nance.html

You are welcome ,enjoy your cooling adventures

Out of interest... what other components can be water cooled? and any recomendation on hardware to do it similiar to aquagate?

Thanks.

Was more interested in finding out more info on liquid cooling components like hard-drives, graphic cards etc.

i would go with coolant combo number 3 or 2.

for gfx card cooling, look at thermaltake.

2 or 3 from that list.

Pee would be warm :