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Unread 03-24-2003, 03:18 AM   #4
Alchemy
Cooling Savant
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Boston
Posts: 238
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Quote:
Originally posted by gmat
Anti Freeze -> i'm not sure it's anti bacterial. If it's based on Glycol it's good for preventing ice forming at subzero temps. If it's only straight watercooling then don't bother with it, i think it lowers the thermal properties of water too much.
I change water when i change tubes or waterblocks... that's between 6 months and 1 year apart.
Ethylene glycol is chemically similar to alcohol, enough that most bacteria can't live in high concentrations of the stuff. However, I've come across mentions in car-care boards of bacteria that is resistant to the stuff and clogs up the lines for the winshield-washer fluid.

I used water and some Zyrtek (sp?) coolant fluid, which is basically a bunch of salts to prevent galvanic corrosion, and that worked fine for me. Had a little bit of bacteria - slimy, discolored tubes - after six months, but nothing a good rinsing couldn't fix.

Alchemy
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