i just got through the first 3 months of my water loop and i can see that the tubes and block are developing a film on them. so i was wondering what would be the best method to clean the loop to get the film off so that i can refill it thanks in advance

Quote: Originally Posted by zerocool135 i just got through the first 3 months of my water loop and i can see that the tubes and block are developing a film on them. so i was wondering what would be the best method to clean the loop to get the film off so that i can refill it thanks in advance

don't know how practical this would be cuz im a total noob at custom computers but try running a can of seafoam through them that what i do on cars to clean out fuel,oil or other lines.

~heed with care just another guy on the internet

OMG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SEAFOAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didnt know anybody else used that stuff to clean out fuel systems sept me!! I love watchin the whole block i live on fog up when i run a can through my F.I system in my car

As for cleaning your cooling loop, if your gonna tear it all down , just use warm soapy water then rinse really good with water, then distilled water, then re-assemble using coolant w/algeside

Now I'm overly pedantic when it comes to removing algae and bacteria from my loop - that's what you are seeing as your "thin film"
This is what I do - Usually every 6-8 months (by doing it half-assed, you'll end up having to repeat the process in 2-3 months time, so try and do it as thoroughly as you can!)

1. Drain the loop

2. Add in a solution of rad flush and warm water (be careful - it's very caustic - rubber gloves are a good idea) and run for an hour or so.

3. Drain loop again (be careful as above)

4. Disassemble loop, blocks, Pump, res and remove fittings

5. Clean everything roughly with an old toothbrush - if you have copper blocks, ketchup works as a good polish
6. Wash everything out thoroughly with boiling water (careful - it's hot ), I soak the tubing in boiling water, as well funneling water through the radiator (have seen some people throw the rad into a pot of boiling water on the stove too)

7. Reassemble everything and fill your system up with listerine...seriously.
Any flavour is fine, although I prefer regular This will sterilize your loop without corroding it like bleach does.

8. Rinse out thoroughly with distilled water (containing a few drops of a good aquarium algaecide)

9. Refill with your coolant of choice - ensure that you have a good amount of algaecide in there though

When I take my loop down, I personally can't be bothered with trying to clean out the tubing sometimes, so I just replace it - but that's your call.

Hope this helps

Wow.. that's a cleanup.

I usually toss the tubing as it is cheap enough to replace. Then I will tkae apart the blocks and clean them out with the toothbrush. The Rad I run really hot water through, then actually have used a garden hose with the pressure to flush it out.

Never tried the listerine, that is a good idea.

Quote: Originally Posted by MasterP Now I'm overly pedantic when it comes to removing algae and bacteria from my loop - that's what you are seeing as your "thin film" This is what I do - Usually every 6-8 months (by doing it half-assed, you'll end up having to repeat the process in 2-3 months time, so try and do it as thoroughly as you can!) 1. Drain the loop 2. Add in a solution of rad flush and warm water (be careful - it's very caustic - rubber gloves are a good idea) and run for an hour or so. 3. Drain loop again (be careful as above) 4. Disassemble loop, blocks, Pump, res and remove fittings 5. Clean everything roughly with an old toothbrush - if you have copper blocks, ketchup works as a good polish 6. Wash everything out thoroughly with boiling water (careful - it's hot ), I soak the tubing in boiling water, as well funneling water through the radiator (have seen some people throw the rad into a pot of boiling water on the stove too) 7. Reassemble everything and fill your system up with listerine...seriously. Any flavour is fine, although I prefer regular This will sterilize your loop without corroding it like bleach does. 8. Rinse out thoroughly with distilled water (containing a few drops of a good aquarium algaecide) 9. Refill with your coolant of choice - ensure that you have a good amount of algaecide in there though When I take my loop down, I personally can't be bothered with trying to clean out the tubing sometimes, so I just replace it - but that's your call. Hope this helps

DaYuM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW I FEEL LIKE IM LAZY . Very good cleaning advice though, i'd follow that

Hey, don't get me wrong - I absolutely hate taking my loop down. It'd be easier if it was easily removable from my case, but because it isn't, I figure preventative maintennance is the way to go

P.S. Thank AntiM for the listerine idea - it's his

Quote: Originally Posted by HigHTecHReDNecK OMG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SEAFOAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didnt know anybody else used that stuff to clean out fuel systems sept me!! I love watchin the whole block i live on fog up when i run a can through my F.I system in my car As for cleaning your cooling loop, if your gonna tear it all down , just use warm soapy water then rinse really good with water, then distilled water, then re-assemble using coolant w/algeside

SEAFOAM is awesome I usually put it in and put onto the street so it fogs everything up its awesome

Woah fast question i just ordered a water cooling kit i noticed after about 3 days of use there was already a film in the tubs like your talking about do you think thats because it was sitting for a long time before i got ahold of it? its a prefilled system so i just hooked it all up and do you think that could affect my temps?

My $.02:

A film after three months I can sort of understand... After three DAYS there is something very wrong (or you have very sharp eyesight...)

Gents, if you are not using distilled water in your loop, you are setting yourself up for a constant fight against film and build-up in your loop...

If you are not using an algae inhibitor/algicide in the water, again, set-up for constant cleaning...

If you are using any sort of dye for the water, that will also speed up the appearance of film or build-up...

While it has been a little while since I ran a WC loop, I do remember that it took about 4-6 months for a film to show up on my blocks (clear top). The REALLY CHEAP tubing will show build-up sooner than the more expensive stuff, but you should be able to get most if not all of it out with a good-quality long stem round brush (kinda like a nylon barrel brush for your firearms), some hot/warm water and a mild dish soap. Same thing for the blocks (top and fins).

well it was prefilled so im sure whatever it had in it for algea is probably not effective anymore and there is no telling how long it had been sitting in the newegg warehouse already filled so im assuming thats why it looks filmy already.

I just run rubbing alcohol for fluid, its not the best heat transfer agent, But it works, And I'm on month # 18 without a bit of gunk under my pretty clear TDX top, and all my tubes are as clear as day one.


Otherwise, I would follow MasterP's directions, My first fluid setup (antifreeze and distilled water) I originally cleaned out similarly to that plan, just I never opened my TDX It didn't get grimy in the whole two weeks I ran that chiller.

Alcohol runs great under a chiller, and eventually when I want to go with a DICE Chiller, I won't need to change the fluid.