Just got into water cooling a month ago with a custom build outa parts from ebay.. Its been runnin great but im using Thermaltake coolant currently(Yes, yes.. flame away.. I know..). Obviously I've been lookin at changin out my coolant from this crap as it does nothing and i've read its VERY conductive >_<. I was takin a look at Fluid XP, but i've looked around on here and some people are saying its not that great... So I was hoping for some input on a better coolant to replace the crap that i'm using

3/4in Tubing
1x120 Black Ice pro rad
Swiftech waterblock.. dont remember the name
Swiftech MCP350
Typhoon 5.25 bay resevior
currently just runnin through my CPU.. gpu is only an ati x800.. mainly got this as a pre-project for my summer build im going to be doing, but it has dropped my CPU temps by 3-4 degrees on average

First off welcome to PCApex!!

I use 3 parts distilled water 1 part anti freeze and about 5-10 drops of algaecide. Been using that for about 2 years with no problems...I just recently had to replace one of my tubes and did not see any kind of build up what so ever.

Damn... Sounds like its working hella good then Any type of recommended anti-freeze or algaecide?

I currently need to refill my coolant(and most likely get some evaporation resistant tubing since the lvl seemed to drop very fast ), would it be ok to just throw in some distilled water for the time being?

Quote: Originally Posted by CocaColaTheory Damn... Sounds like its working hella good then Any type of recommended anti-freeze or algaecide? I currently need to refill my coolant(and most likely get some evaporation resistant tubing since the lvl seemed to drop very fast ), would it be ok to just throw in some distilled water for the time being?

I use just standard auto anti freeze, just not the already mixed down kind. I would not recommend just distilled water even for a short time, algae can pop up quickly...

Just take a trip to your local pet store and pick up some algaecide, it lives with fish supplies If you dont have anti freeze the water with some algaecide will work, I have seen some peeps just use that.

I prefer to use Swiftech HydrX.

You can get a bottle each from reputable dealers for about $3 a piece.

mix it to a liter of distilled water.

Provides for good temps and if handled correctly, is non conductive.

My system has survived several leaks and spills with no negative effects from this mixture.

Quote: Originally Posted by FireDemon666 I prefer to use Swiftech HydrX. You can get a bottle each from reputable dealers for about $3 a piece. mix it to a liter of distilled water. Provides for good temps and if handled correctly, is non conductive. My system has survived several leaks and spills with no negative effects from this mixture.

That is what I used in the past also with good results.

Awsome! Thanks a ton guys. Looks like im hitting up wal-mart for some distilled water/algeacide till i get a good mixture of anti-freeze/water/algeacide

Also.. i have read alot of good things about the Fluid XP+ Extreme.. was wondering what you guys think of that stuff.

Here's the review already up on the site.......

Check it out....

PCApex.com - Fluid XP Extreme Performance Coolant

don't use coca cola, otherwise read this thread too, lots of suggestions.

I prefere using Dex-Cool in place of regular antifreeze it has less solid parts in it no silicates, phostphates, etc.... I ran that in my loop for roughly a year pulled everything apart i had no buildup and nothing caught in my swiftech block, the computer sits next to a window. I use 90% distilled 10% dex-cool no algaecide and works like a charm.

A good algaecide that is easy to find is Providone-Iodine. Easy to find at any supermarket and it's inexpensive. I put about a teaspoon in with my 3:1 Distilled Water:Antifreeze mixture.

I can't believe I didn't think of the most useless and technically correct answer until now.

Recommended Coolant for Water Cooling?

Water

Well, you already got all the helpful answers.