Additive question..
 

I've been doing some reading trying to find out about all the different additives people use and have come to the conclusion that there is no real consensus. So I figured I would just ask what you guys use and why. I've read alot of info about what to use but not much why and data. Any thoughts and info would be great.

I use WaterWetter and a wee bit of pool algicide. Why to use algicide is obvious. The reason for WaterWetter is mainly for its surface tension reducing and corrosion prevention properties.

How important is corrosion prevention in an all copper and brass system?

Well, I think the only consensus reached was that different situations need different mixtures. Are you watercooling to ambient, or waterchilling (below ambient)? Are you going to have a submerged evaporator coil (where aluminum and copper are touching each other in the solution) or any there places where an anodic and cathodic metal will make a connection? If you're going below ambient are you going below freezing as well? How far?

In my waterchilling setup I am shooting for a maximum low temp of maybe 10C below freezing (optimistic I'm sure) and an average temperature between 0C and 10C. It has a submerged evaporator coil, and reading through the articles and threads on this site I've decided to go with 90% distilled water and 10% Hyperlube, which will prevent slushing and freezing near water's freezing point, stop or slow down galvanic corrosion, and act as a mild algaecide (is that the correct word?) from what I've read.

I use antifreeze. Good for any setup. If you go below freezing use more antifeeze. I use a default of 30/70. If I were to go freezing I would go 50/50.

Spokane eh?

I use Valvoline Racing Coolant (AKA Zerex Racing Coolant) in multi-metal systems. I don't bother with algaecide, but use opaque tubing and reservoirs (so no light exposure) and use distilled water. New system components get a quick rinse out with rubbing alcohol. I've never had an algae problem.

If you can't decide, why not just buy the Swiftech or Innovatek products? They've thought about what's necessary and put together appropriate packages...

ive tried the swiftech hydrx and pentosin but didnt really see an advantage to using either really. the hydrx is green which is cool but i wanted something possibly clear that didnt stain tubes or reduce the thermal conductivity too much. ive yet to find anything though. zerex is supposed to be really cloudy right? slight purple color? ill probably end up getting hydrx again but the bottle is so small, id like to have a regular supply around. i play with my setup alot switching out components regularly so i wanted more than the few oz's. i do have a alum topped maze4 gpu so i need something with corrosion inhibitors but I dont want cloudy water.

these guys do a quantity discount if you buy 5...
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com./hyexduco.html

hehe .25 cheaper :p honestly its the shipping that bothers me. $15 hydrx with 8 shipping to east coast. i can get an entire bottle of pentosin for that but its kinda cloudy. wondering though will all antifreeze prevent algae?

Virtually all antifreeze is glycol based (ethylene or propylene), which makes it pretty difficult for algae to grow. Not sure if it's 100% protection because some companies market antifreeze additives that are specifically algaecides, but maybe it's just a gimmick? Has anyone had algae develop in a system running antifreeze?

but what %age of pentosin would you need to use?.... 5% hydrx is the recommended ratio i believe (so 95% water and therefore near water performance...)