First water-loop build log.Semi-xtreme w/case mods *updated* I'm back!

[monkeymonk]

Hey guys I am starting my first water cooling loop this weekend I have some of the parts and more will be here tomorrow and Friday.
I went all out on this computer because I am leaving for boot camp soon and want to blow all my money before I leave :lol:
The parts are as follows:
Mo-Ra 3 pro 4x180 radiator
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=29062
4x180mm silver stone air penetrator fans
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003RRY9SC/ref=pe_175190_21431760_M3C_SC_dp_1

Monsoon fittings x8
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=59_346_1026_1027&products_id=34553

XSPC raystorm

Feser red tubing

690 hydro copper

MCP35X pump with the swiftech res top

I'll be mounting the radiator to the right side of the case and adding a window the the left side.


I will be adding links and pictures of what I have as well as anything else I forgot to mention.
It was hard for me to find pictures or info on a lot of this project, so hopefully someone out there will find this helpful/interesting.
Feel free to ask questions or comment

List of things to do:
-Lights
Ordered 2 12" uv cathode lights and one 4" red cathode
I need some more red lights I think and I need to figure out how I'm going to control all these because I only have one pci slot open.
-fan controller
Still deciding on one I only really need 1 or 2 channels but I want to put 4 5.4 watt fans on one channel on there own. Not sure how I am going to do this yet. Anyone experienced with this subject please pitch in. I would ultimately like to just have one switch for UV lights one switch for red lights one knob for rad fans and one knob for case fans.
-Cut hole for side panel window and install window
On the base there is a hobby shop where I can get tools so I will either do it myself or go somewhere and have the hole cut out for me
-Install everything on my new SSD.
will be ordering a Samsung 840 Pro 512GB tonight. I am under the impression that it is the fastest SSD available. Correct me if I'm wrong here I've been out of the loop for a while.
-Replace ugly stock cables with sleeved alchemy cables.
I'm excited about this I have replacements for the 24 pin 8 pin and the two PCIe 8 pin connectors. They are red individually sleeved. And a UV reactive red sata cable for my SSD. (ordered and shipping here)

 

[Motopsychojdn]

I'd have gone for the 655 pump personally but I'm mainly responding to flag the thread so I can get updates when you post them
Moto

 

[assasin32]

Remember to sand the edges to everything you cut and what I do when I mod things is I make a quick cardboard version of it first and see how it looks and what changes I need to make. Usually it's the simple stuff that gets you on these types of projects and I know for me these two things prevent a lot of cuts and generally makes things go a lot smoother for me.

Beyond that I am curious as to how it looks when you get it together

 

[manofchalk]

Flagging the thread as well, I'm also doing a water cooled rig soon and interested to see what others have done.
Also some feedback on those Monsoon fittings would be great. It seems to be the only affordable compression fittings around where I live, might get them after my loop is done.

 

[monkeymonk]

Flagging the thread as well, I'm also doing a water cooled rig soon and interested to see what others have done.
Also some feedback on those Monsoon fittings would be great. It seems to be the only affordable compression fittings around where I live, might get them after my loop is done.

Bit-tech gave them a review here:
http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2012/06/18/monsoon-compression-fitting-six-pack-review/1
I think they look cool and have a innovative design but then again I've never seen any other fittings before.

 

[monkeymonk]

Pictures incoming (I took these on my nexus phone so they aren't the best quality if you want t a better picture of something in particular I can bust out the better camera)

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=32a396d2f6&view=att&th=139e1526d66e5569&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=1413590562588590080-1&safe=1&zw
All the watercooling gear so far picture is kinda blurry.

Radiator pictures this thing is HUGE! It's like the size of the one in my car 😱
https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=32a396d2f6&view=att&th=139e151ffe1d2e1c&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=1413590544710453871-1&safe=1&zw
https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=32a396d2f6&view=att&th=139e1523832bf913&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=1413590549718368256-1&safe=1&zw
https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=32a396d2f6&view=att&th=139e15189ebb5ec3&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=1413590511165374464-1&safe=1&zw
Fans attached
https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=32a396d2f6&view=att&th=139e14fc782bc639&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=1413590378403069952-1&safe=1&zw

Pump with res top attached:
https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=32a396d2f6&view=att&th=139e1531a707da0b&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=1413590578050891776-1&safe=1&zw

New issues:
-Figure out size of screw for attaching radiator
-Drill holes on right side panel for screw and cut holes for hoses to go through.
-The radiator is so heavy that I am thinking about ways to make the case more bottom heavy.
-I want to use plain water... so am I to just go to the store and buy a gallon of distilled water? or am I supposed to buy something more specialized?

 

[manofchalk]

Bit-tech gave them a review here:
http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2012/06/18/monsoon-compression-fitting-six-pack-review/1
I think they look cool and have a innovative design but then again I've never seen any other fittings before.

Already found and read that review. While its pretty positive, I like to get opinions from multiple sources. Never know what they might have missed.

Might just be me, but I'm getting 404 errors on those images you posted. Might want to post them to Photobucket or some other image hosting website, instead of links to your Gmail.

Pretty much, the feedback I have gotten on my loop was just get distilled water. Dont need to go to excessive lengths to get "quality" distilled water since it will be contaminated by the air when you pour it and some of the metals in the loop will seep in anyway.

If you cant find Distilled, Demineralized is roughly the same. Isn't guaranteed to be free of bacteria/algae, but should be fine if you are running a kill coil or a biocide.

 

[monkeymonk]

Already found and read that review. While its pretty positive, I like to get opinions from multiple sources. Never know what they might have missed.

Might just be me, but I'm getting 404 errors on those images you posted. Might want to post them to Photobucket or some other image hosting website, instead of links to your Gmail.

Pretty much, the feedback I have gotten on my loop was just get distilled water. Dont need to go to excessive lengths to get "quality" distilled water since it will be contaminated by the air when you pour it and some of the metals in the loop will seep in anyway.

If you cant find Distilled, Demineralized is roughly the same. Isn't guaranteed to be free of bacteria/algae, but should be fine if you are running a kill coil or a biocide.

I'll let you know what I think about them when I set my loop up. weird that there isn't a way to attach a file... anyways I'll try photobucket then

 

[monkeymonk]

Was not allowed to edit my message...so guess I'm reposting


Pictures incoming (I took these on my nexus phone so they aren't the best quality if you want t a better picture of something in particular I can bust out the better camera)

All the watercooling gear so far picture is kinda blurry.

Radiator pictures this thing is HUGE! It's like the size of the one in my car 😱

Fans attached

Pump with res top attached:

 

[manofchalk]

You have got to be mounting that externally... I have a large case and I wouldn't know where to put that much radiator.

Looks pretty cool so far (pun intended), cant wait to see when its done.

 

[monkeymonk]

Yes it is going on the right side panel like this.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll98/gcarver2006/rad_mount.png
But I need to drill some holes for the tubing which has a 1/2" OD. My dad says using a circle cutter could distort the metal since its so thin.

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Yup, you want a stepped drillbit that will do about 19/20mm, because once the grommet is in place the tube sits nicely in it, but can be firm to pull through so lube the tubing with a little washing up liquid first 🙂
Moto

 

[monkeymonk]

Yup, you want a stepped drillbit that will do about 19/20mm, because once the grommet is in place the tube sits nicely in it, but can be firm to pull through so lube the tubing with a little washing up liquid first 🙂
Moto

I'll be getting a stepped bit tomorrow!

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Don't forget to sandwich the (taped up to protect) panel between two bits of wood to avoid any ergh moments
Moto

 

[monkeymonk]

Don't forget to sandwich the (taped up to protect) panel between two bits of wood to avoid any ergh moments
Moto

I have both sides covered in painters tape but what do you mean with the wood?

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Put the panel between two peices of wood to avoid any shearing or twisting of the panel when you drill
Moto

 

[monkeymonk]

New problem guys. I am trying to just set it up temporarily until I get some quick disconnects. So the case modding is on hold for now.
My new problem is that when I try to screw my monsoon comp fittings into my pump it just cross threads. I use the barb that came with it and it goes in fine so I think it must be different threading. When I get the tubing on there do I just put a zip tie on it and its good to go? Also its being a real Pain in the rear to get that tubing on there so my question about the hot water thing is using tap hot tap water going to contaminate my loop?

 

[scopey86]

Yeah you can just put a zip tie over the barb and it'll hold it real snug. I personally would suggest using hot distilled water when dealing with anything on your loop personally just to play it safe.

 

[monkeymonk]

http://s1075.photobucket.com/albums/w429/xxxmonkeymonk/?action=view&current=IMG_20120923_191044_zps34b632a7.jpg
That's how far I could get it on. I used a hairdryer but I think it might of just ended it up shrinking it. Do you think I could make more progress with the hot water method?

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Yup, soften that tubing in some very hot water, I think your tubing is actually too small for the fitting but hey ho, work with what you have
and yes, once its on to the hilt, a cable tie will keep it there
Moto

 

[rubix_1011]

What size tubing and barbs did you get? 3/8" ID tubing over a 1/2"ID barb? Why such the mismatch?

 

[monkeymonk]

What size tubing and barbs did you get? 3/8" ID tubing over a 1/2"ID barb? Why such the mismatch?

The fittings I purchased would start to cross thread and for some reason the barb that came with the pump would work even though the threading for both is 1/4" as far as I understand. I purchased a 1/4" QDC from koolance and am hoping that is going to work I don't know why it was giving me problems to begin with.

 

[monkeymonk]

Hey guys haven't updated in awhile because I have been conflicted on how exactly to proceed with this project. But I think I have figured it out I've ordered 3 rotary 90 degree fittings and a 45 degree just in case because some of the turns are really sharp. I have also ordered some koolance quick disconnects. I one is a threaded QDC which I will be attaching to the pump and be running straight through the right side panel to one fitting on the rad. The other is a "panel mounted" barb.
http://koolance.com/vl3n-quick-disconnect-no-spill-coupling-male-panel-barb-for-id-10mm-3-8in
I am hoping it is what it sounds like but I can't find any pictures of it in use. If you've used them before I would love to hear more.
The QDCs will be coming tomorrow and I already have the rotary fittings.
I have one more minor problem though. The rubber gaskets in my case are notorious for falling out and I have been having this issue. What sort of glue can/should I use to secure them permanently in place.
Also do I put the kill coil just anywhere in the tubing or can I have it just floating in the res?

 

[manofchalk]

Sorry, cant help from personal experience with the quick disconnects.
Though a quick Youtube search came up with this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuSZJGiopiU

No idea about glue.

With Killcoil placement, I have mine just floating in the res. Make sure to bend it in a shape that wont allow it to get out, if it ends up in a water block or your pump there will be a problem.
Have seen some evidence that the closer the coil is to the pump or PSU, the faster your water will cloud. Something to do with electromagnetic fields. So maybe coil it around the radiator intake, which would likely be furthest away from pump and PSU.

 

[Motopsychojdn]

I have three sets of VL3N's, two currently in use, last pair to be added soon, make sure you use pliers to slip the clamps on with, they are killers for fingers 😛
I don't have any of the bulkhead or threaded ones though, just simple barbs on mine,
and if you are worried about coils clouding, use UV Cathodes instead
Moto