Cloudy pipes in the toilet bowl loop are being addressed with AlphaCool and CKC fluid.
Cloudy pipes in the toilet bowl loop are being addressed with AlphaCool and CKC fluid.
if it ain't leaking, the tubes seem okay unless the discoloration can't be removed easily, similar to any film stuck on them. Replacement would be a last resort, but it might cost a lot of money.
It would cost around $20 to swap the tubing... that seems quite affordable given the expense of watercooling parts. Also, it relies on how long the system has been operating and the nature of the buildup.
You all are making quick assumptions in this discussion before gathering more details.
it's great that you can spend just 20 dollars easily, right? it seems like i'm just offering some tips to try and get what you have without wasting extra money. things like taking the hoses off, using windex or a rag, maybe it looks fresh. though, some people might already have everything they need, especially if they're worried about providing for their kids. it must be nice.
I get what you mean, but the truth is this - if you have the funds to construct a custom watercooling loop, $20 won’t be a concern when it comes time to replace the tubing. If it is, you’ve wasted money on priorities from the start and made a costly financial mistake. If you’re budget-conscious, you can purchase decent tubing for a fraction of the cost—around $1 per foot. Depending on what’s blocking the tubing or promoting algae growth, you really don’t want to bring that back into the system unless absolutely necessary. In this case, simply wiping the tubing won’t fix the issue. The whole loop needs to be taken apart and thoroughly cleaned.
The current configuration is... EK-XRES 100 SPC-60, 2 Rads Alphacool 240mm and Alphacool 240mm XFlow, CPU water block Alphacool Nexxos, GPU waterblock EK FC980 WF3. Using Alphacools HF13 Tubing and Alphacools Cape Kalvin Catcher premix fluid.
Res/Pump Combo > GPU > Rad1 > CPU > RadXFlow > Res/Pump.
Operating for roughly a week now.
Cloud appears almost clear/white.
Positioned away from direct sunlight with side panels in place.
Removed a section of tubing and replaced it with new. Placed the removed piece back into the window sill after about a day; it faded to a brownish yellow color quickly. This was just to observe the effect.
It seems like plasticizers are being released. This is fairly typical, though there are alternatives available without plasticizers.
It seems like plasticizer is leaching from the tubing. This is fairly typical, but there are options without plasticizers available. I might need to replace the tubes first to see how long they last after... I haven’t changed them in two weeks and the Alphacool HF tubing isn’t performing well. I’ve purchased some spare tubing thinking I’d need more, and I found that EKWB PrimoChill PrimoFlex is recommended. I’m also considering using distilled water, a biocide, or even SilverCoil. The water and the biocide should be superior to the Alphacool CKC premix fluid. Any suggestions?
Also, I’d like advice on cleaning the water blocks—would it be okay to remove them and inspect them? For instance, does the LeakTest certificate apply to the EKFC Block? Or would pushing distilled water or vinegar through the loop using the pump damage it?
Thanks in advance.
I would avoid the killcoil—it's largely ineffective against microbes anyway, given the substantial copper content and the ions it also carries that should be antimicrobial. The amount of silver present isn't sufficient to have a noticeable effect. Opt for a reliable anti-microbial or biocide instead; you'll be fine. I've tested loops using distilled water and biocides for over two years without any growth, nothing more.
If your loop is brand new (about two weeks old), this step probably isn't necessary, particularly if you're not observing green or greenish-brown growth like algae. Therefore, skip it unless you notice significant contamination, in which case consider disassembling and cleaning the blocks. There are some YouTube tutorials that explain this process. It can be challenging because most blocks use large rubber o-rings that fit into precisely machined grooves. If alignment isn't perfect again, leaks can occur. This highlights why preventing microbial growth is far more beneficial.
You can introduce a vinegar/water solution through the loop if only for short periods—it won’t damage anything. I recommend using a 50/50 ratio and limiting it to 25% vinegar. Since your components are brand new, you should be safe, but if rinsing wasn't thorough before installation, expect them to be quite dirty. New parts often contain manufacturing residues such as flux, oils, and machining debris; therefore, a vinegar flush or a soapy hot water rinse is always advisable.