F5F Stay Refreshed Power Users Overclocking Working with Metal Combinations in a Tailored Cooling System

Working with Metal Combinations in a Tailored Cooling System

Working with Metal Combinations in a Tailored Cooling System

Z
zFenix045_
Member
126
10-15-2016, 06:28 AM
#1
I am new to PC building and liquid cooling, and I’m trying to assemble a gaming PC. I believe I have gathered the necessary components but am concerned about Galvanic Corrosion. My parts include copper, brass, silver, and nickel. Here are my questions: 1. Will corrosion be an issue? 2. Should I add an anti-corrosive treatment? 3. Could a silver kill coil help if I already have silver in the loop? 4. Does an anti-corrosive product actually work? Thank you for your help.
Z
zFenix045_
10-15-2016, 06:28 AM #1

I am new to PC building and liquid cooling, and I’m trying to assemble a gaming PC. I believe I have gathered the necessary components but am concerned about Galvanic Corrosion. My parts include copper, brass, silver, and nickel. Here are my questions: 1. Will corrosion be an issue? 2. Should I add an anti-corrosive treatment? 3. Could a silver kill coil help if I already have silver in the loop? 4. Does an anti-corrosive product actually work? Thank you for your help.

A
Athame_
Senior Member
734
10-15-2016, 07:31 PM
#2
As long as it retains its effectiveness and is suitable for the metals involved, then it's acceptable. If you don't remove the coating and scratch it off, then it's not. It's advised to switch it often initially to help it settle, then gradually extend the intervals such as 3-3-6-6... months. For those new to this process, using a pre-mixed coolant is generally suggested since everything is already combined inside.
A
Athame_
10-15-2016, 07:31 PM #2

As long as it retains its effectiveness and is suitable for the metals involved, then it's acceptable. If you don't remove the coating and scratch it off, then it's not. It's advised to switch it often initially to help it settle, then gradually extend the intervals such as 3-3-6-6... months. For those new to this process, using a pre-mixed coolant is generally suggested since everything is already combined inside.

B
baconandfries
Member
215
10-15-2016, 10:53 PM
#3
Don't use dyes; they can cause issues. Use colored tubes instead.
If silver comes into contact with water, it may lead to corrosion later if conductive materials are present (ions).
Silver kill coil serves as an alternative to biocide.
Consider adding anti-corrosive or using a pre-filled coolant that contains all necessary components.
The best approach is to replace everything else and only switch the distilled water regularly if you're concerned about corrosion and internal growth. Every three months is ideal for extra caution, though it's typically changed every six months. If anything unusual appears, replace it right away.
https://www.quora.com/Do-I-have-to-chang...at-in-a-PC
Also, make sure to flush the water inside your radiator and other components thoroughly multiple times during installation. They contain various particles that need cleaning.
B
baconandfries
10-15-2016, 10:53 PM #3

Don't use dyes; they can cause issues. Use colored tubes instead.
If silver comes into contact with water, it may lead to corrosion later if conductive materials are present (ions).
Silver kill coil serves as an alternative to biocide.
Consider adding anti-corrosive or using a pre-filled coolant that contains all necessary components.
The best approach is to replace everything else and only switch the distilled water regularly if you're concerned about corrosion and internal growth. Every three months is ideal for extra caution, though it's typically changed every six months. If anything unusual appears, replace it right away.
https://www.quora.com/Do-I-have-to-chang...at-in-a-PC
Also, make sure to flush the water inside your radiator and other components thoroughly multiple times during installation. They contain various particles that need cleaning.

R
RaisedFist99
Junior Member
31
10-15-2016, 11:55 PM
#4
If you add a biocide and anti-corrosion additive to the distilled water, will you still need to be concerned about metals corroding each other? Also, since the GPU block is nickel-plated copper, not just nickel, does this affect things? This should matter. You mentioned checking ekwb.com and believe their parts are of decent quality. You intended to change the liquid every 6-12 months—should you do that more often?
R
RaisedFist99
10-15-2016, 11:55 PM #4

If you add a biocide and anti-corrosion additive to the distilled water, will you still need to be concerned about metals corroding each other? Also, since the GPU block is nickel-plated copper, not just nickel, does this affect things? This should matter. You mentioned checking ekwb.com and believe their parts are of decent quality. You intended to change the liquid every 6-12 months—should you do that more often?

B
beschteLars
Member
221
10-16-2016, 04:42 AM
#5
Would it make more sense to replace the silver components with copper, brass, and nickel, and then apply PT-Nuke in distilled water? This would eliminate the need for an anti-corrosive treatment.
B
beschteLars
10-16-2016, 04:42 AM #5

Would it make more sense to replace the silver components with copper, brass, and nickel, and then apply PT-Nuke in distilled water? This would eliminate the need for an anti-corrosive treatment.

R
RockyTFL
Member
69
10-22-2016, 09:48 AM
#6
As long as it retains its effectiveness and is suitable for the metals involved, then it's acceptable. If you don't remove the coating and scratch it off, then it won't work. It's advised to switch it often initially to help it settle, then gradually extend the intervals such as 3-3-6-6 months. For newcomers, using a pre-mixed coolant is usually best since everything is already combined. You can find more details here: And also at: Corrosion will still occur if impurities like dirt or salt enter, even with pure copper and distilled water. Water can be corrosive when it contains conductive substances. You mentioned this yourself. As a beginner, this is normal worry. Just follow the recommended setup for your cooler and replace components when necessary. Regular changes and using additives should help avoid issues.
R
RockyTFL
10-22-2016, 09:48 AM #6

As long as it retains its effectiveness and is suitable for the metals involved, then it's acceptable. If you don't remove the coating and scratch it off, then it won't work. It's advised to switch it often initially to help it settle, then gradually extend the intervals such as 3-3-6-6 months. For newcomers, using a pre-mixed coolant is usually best since everything is already combined. You can find more details here: And also at: Corrosion will still occur if impurities like dirt or salt enter, even with pure copper and distilled water. Water can be corrosive when it contains conductive substances. You mentioned this yourself. As a beginner, this is normal worry. Just follow the recommended setup for your cooler and replace components when necessary. Regular changes and using additives should help avoid issues.

B
Bambook
Member
165
10-24-2016, 08:59 AM
#7
Thanks for your kind words, you're welcome! I'm thrilled to hear you're excited about building your PC, especially with liquid cooling!
B
Bambook
10-24-2016, 08:59 AM #7

Thanks for your kind words, you're welcome! I'm thrilled to hear you're excited about building your PC, especially with liquid cooling!

K
kalleboii
Senior Member
738
10-24-2016, 04:00 PM
#8
Zebarjadi.raouf shares tips on maintaining a water cooler. Avoid using dyes as they may lead to issues; opt for colored tubes instead. If silver comes into contact with water, it could potentially corrode components if conductive materials are present (such as ions). Silver kill coils serve as an alternative to biocides. Consider incorporating anti-corrosive additives or using a pre-formulated coolant that contains all necessary elements. The best approach might be to replace the entire system and switch to distilled water regularly, ideally every three months for extra caution, though most systems are changed every six months. If anything unusual appears, address it promptly.

Also, don’t forget to thoroughly flush the water in your radiator and related components during installation. These parts accumulate various contaminants that require cleaning.

Aluminum tends to cause corrosion more often than other metals. Silver, gold, copper, brass, and nickel are generally safe when used together. Dyes tend to be less problematic compared to coolants, though pure water remains the most effective coolant. However, a small antimicrobial agent is still advisable. I haven’t changed my loop for two and a half years using only distilled water and an antimicrobial; the water stays clear.
K
kalleboii
10-24-2016, 04:00 PM #8

Zebarjadi.raouf shares tips on maintaining a water cooler. Avoid using dyes as they may lead to issues; opt for colored tubes instead. If silver comes into contact with water, it could potentially corrode components if conductive materials are present (such as ions). Silver kill coils serve as an alternative to biocides. Consider incorporating anti-corrosive additives or using a pre-formulated coolant that contains all necessary elements. The best approach might be to replace the entire system and switch to distilled water regularly, ideally every three months for extra caution, though most systems are changed every six months. If anything unusual appears, address it promptly.

Also, don’t forget to thoroughly flush the water in your radiator and related components during installation. These parts accumulate various contaminants that require cleaning.

Aluminum tends to cause corrosion more often than other metals. Silver, gold, copper, brass, and nickel are generally safe when used together. Dyes tend to be less problematic compared to coolants, though pure water remains the most effective coolant. However, a small antimicrobial agent is still advisable. I haven’t changed my loop for two and a half years using only distilled water and an antimicrobial; the water stays clear.