Tygon or Danger Den 1/2" ID ClearFlex Hose
 

Looking to re pipe my system in 1/2" whats the difference and why would one be used instead of the other.
Thanks

Also how does this compare? Danger Den UV Blue or Green 1/2" ID ClearFlex Hose.

kimandsally,

ClearFlex tubing usually comes in two stiffnesses. One is the very flexable CleaFlex60 and the other being ClearFlex70.

The 60 is very flexable and can kink at times, but is very manageable to route the tubing. If you choose this, you may need some cool-sleeves to prevent kinks or get tubing elbow tracks. You may not need them if the routing is bad. The nice thing about the 60 other then being flexable is the tack feeing of the tubing. It really gripes the fittings on the parts. A nice seal.

The 70 is a little more stiff, but stops kinks from happening. It has a larger bend radius compared to the 60. It's more durable too.

Ask Danger-Den which type they offer 60 or 70 grade.

ClearFlex is about 1/2 the cost, ususally, than tygon, and is clear vs. being black. The UV is neat to have as well.

When you mention 1/2 system, is that a 1/2" ID tubing or 1/2"OD? 1/2" OD is 3/8" ID tubing and the cooling loop is really 3/8". You were not clear on that.

Wow thanks what a very detailed answer, you've told me more than I have found out in 3 days of surfing the web.
I don't know exactly which my stockist has in the UK so to make sure I'll order elbows etc then if I need them I have them, I'm getting some UV for in the case and clear for outside, I'm mounting the pump and radiator outside the case under the PC so the water will come up via a hole in my desk top, I already have it like that with 3/8" ID tubing but I want more cooling it's great under the desk I can't hear the 3x120mm fans even at 12v.

Thanks so much for the reply I have just rang and ordered my bits now. :dome:

Tygon isn't neccessarily black. the R-3603 forumulation that is popular for watercooling is nice and clear.

DangerDen use Clearflex60. Not seen any suppliers in the scene offering 70.

Tygon vs Clearflex - I can't see ANY advantage of the Tygon over the Clearflex... Clearflex wins everytime purely on price. Tygon also features UV Filters, so if u use a UV Dye in your coolant, it's reaction to UV Light will be substantially weaker than with cheaper tubing.

Ultimately, sod UV Dye, if you want it to look pretty buy the UV Tubing to start with. I tend to find DangerDen's UV Hose a tad slack over the barbs so ensure you use decent jubilee hoseclamps... It's got good bend radius, but can be susceptible to kinking so just keep an eye on it and route hosing accordingly...

No problems basically with all 3 types of tubing.

Tygon - flexible - clear - UV filters - good bend radius - kinks as easily as CF60
CF60 - flexible - cleary pale bluey green color - weaker UV Filters - good bend radius - kinks as easily as Tygon
DDUV - very flexible - UV Colored - good bend radius - just over 1/2" ID imo - kinks the easiest of the 3 of em...

For me at least the Tygon 3603 seems a lot more durable both mechanically and chemically than the clearflex. I used Clearflex in one of my systems but the tubing quickly clouded up so I switched everything to Tygon except for one tube. The Tygon has remained perfectly clear over the last two years while the Clearflex tube became almost completely opaque. I have no idea why it happened, I run normal distilled water and Zerex, but it did happen.

No, not elbows. :( They hinder the flow. What I'm talking about are things like these ...

http://www.johnguest.com/part_spec.asp?s=PM26_D2

http://www.johnguest.com/gfx_series/PM26_D2.GIF

You can place the tubing into the track to allow the bend without the kinks. Two of them work like a clam shell. ;)

OR

Use CoolSleeves. ;) http://www.coolingworks.com/products/coolsleeves.html
http://www.coolingworks.com/_images/colors.gif

Many people use these too. They are external use for the tubing. So, the internal liquid flow is not hampered.


Elbows should be a last resort option.

Peace!

Stev

Well, the Danger Den guys themselves use Tygon over the Clearflex... I was playing with the colored tubing they had it it didn't feel nearly as bendable as regular Clearflex or Tygon. Not sure why, but it just felt of poor quality. I didn't even know it was Clearflex.

what he sayd :)

Me too and everyone else. Clearflex is nice but ONLY because of the price. Otherwise, IMO it is horrible. Tygon is much better and doesnt film up like the clearflex.

Sorry for the slight offtopic, but how does this tubing compare to tygon and clearflex?
http://www.frozencpu.com/ex-tub-54.html

Thanx!!!

You won't be happy.

Pop for the tygon 3603, it's expensive,but will not give you ANY problems.

http://gruntville.com/reviews/wc/pri...flex/page4.php

Why won't I be happy with PrimoFlex?
It's even better than I thaught from what I can see in the review!! :)

Not having used it, I'll chime in with Cathar's pitch about 7/16" ID.....bends easier, no clamps and minimal flow drop vs. true 1/2" ID.

I'll be using that when I update my rig.

I'm using generic masterkleer (sp?) 7/16" tubing in my rig, no clamps needed because it REALLY grips the hose barbs, especially the plastic kind, and it is pretty easy to route. My next rig will be 3/8" or smaller though, honestly I see no benefit to having 1/2" tubing anymore, I'd rather have a slight drop in performance and a much easier time putting stuff in my comp than the other way around.