Custom Water Cooling Questions

[Thranton]

I've always wanted to do a custom water cooling loop and I've researched pretty heavily into it for the parts and the modifications I would have to do. But there are two questions I have that I cannot seem to find the answer to.

1. I work out of town lots, so my computer will be idle for 2 weeks or more at times without turning on. Is this bad for the water in the loop or any of the components as the water will become stagnate.

2. Is there an easy way to power your pump externally? (IE not utilizing the PSU/MOBO) As this would be a solution to problem #1 if I could install a switch somehow. I could possibly rig something up, but thought I'd ask if there was already something made for this exact application.

Thanks in advance!

 

[jay32267]

You can buy a simple power supply to power your pump and have it run 24/7.

 

[13thmonkey]

Tiny leak, under gravity = tiny puddle, possibly held back by vacuum pressure. Tiny leak, under pump = reservoir on the floor.

I'm not sure why you'd need to pump whilst off.

 

[g-unit1111]

You can buy a simple power supply to power your pump and have it run 24/7.

That is completely, totally, 100% false. You cannot power just a single component like the pump without leaving the rest of the system off.

 

[Paperdoc]

#1 - No, there is no problem created by stagnant water in a cooling loop. So that makes #2 completely irrelevant.

Now, Let me add a few small qualifiers. Plain water as a coolant is not good for the long term. It can contain (and will acquire over time) both chemical and biological contaminants that can cause corrosion of metal parts and deposits of biological "slime". There are additive concentrates sold for use by people who build their own systems and you can follow their instructions to add the correct amount to clean pure water when filling your custom loop. Or, you can buy pre-made solutions to fill your loop with. Either way, these solutions will prevent such contamination problems from developing for a long time - much longer that plain water could survive.

 

[Thranton]

#1 - No, there is no problem created by stagnant water in a cooling loop. So that makes #2 completely irrelevant.

Now, Let me add a few small qualifiers. Plain water as a coolant is not good for the long term. It can contain (and will acquire over time) both chemical and biological contaminants that can cause corrosion of metal parts and deposits of biological "slime". There are additive concentrates sold for use by people who build their own systems and you can follow their instructions to add the correct amount to clean pure water when filling your custom loop. Or, you can buy pre-made solutions to fill your loop with. Either way, these solutions will prevent such contamination problems from developing for a long time - much longer that plain water could survive.

This was the answer I was looking for. And sorry I shouldn't have said water but the cooling solution you use in the loops. I was just unsure if I had left it for 3 weeks with no movement if it would cause issues.

Thanks!

 

[Paperdoc]

You're welcome, and thanks for Best Solution.