[jman1310]

I made my own reservoir because the commercial reservoirs were lacking. I don't like lexon (Plexiglas) because it prone to cracking. Others use aluminum, which anodized or not is a big no no. There are some quality units but they are expensive. Mine is a 18" of 1.5" copper tubing with an elbow at the bottom. My pump attaches at the bottom and the system return is about 3" from the top. Filling is done at the top. I also installed a drain cock at the bottom. I would have liked to use 2" copper but didn't do to cost. You could make a similar unit with PVC very easily. ABS may look better because it's black rather than white.

A reservoir should do 3 things:

1. Most commercial reservoirs are poorly located to be worth while. A res is best located directly at the pump inlet. This ensures there is always positive pressure on the pump. Since we use centrifugal pumps that can not suck water (they only push) this is good for pump life.

2. The res is to small. It must widen the water path enough that water velocity slows considerablely. Slowing the fluid velocity allows bubbles to rise to the surface and promotes bubbles to come out of suspension.

3. Reserve volume. In the ideal reservoir, extra cooling fluid is stored to prevent dry running the pump. This is nice both during initial setup and after long term use. The tubing used in water cooling is not water proof. Ie, very small amounts of fluid are lost via evaporation directly through the tubing. This varies depending on tubing quality, but if you run six months or a year without maintenance it becomes noticeable.