Distilled water or De-ionized water?

[Mars]

I need an opinion on which type of water you modders think is better for a watercooled system. Distilled or De-ionized? I've use Distilled water in automotive engines to help prevent from rusting and calcification when vehicles are parked for months on end. Some people say that distilled water isn't as conductive as tap water, but it is still just water. H2O. Just without the lead or the rust and traces of copper.

[greenman100]

distilled water for me

[Titan151]

So I was going to attempt to explain this, then I realized that I am somewhat limited in my knowledge of both. So I did a google and found some good info that seems to make sense. Here is an excerpt from what I found.

"I'm not knowledgeable about the engineering aspects such as the cost of one
Compared to the other. However, as the names imply deionized water is water
that has been passed through a column or membrane to remove ions present. If
it is of the type used in homes, it is not truly a de-ionizer, removing all
ions, but rather an ion exchange column that exchanges polyvalent ions such
as Mg++ and Ca++ for Na+ ions. A de-ionizing column will not remove nonionic
organic substances from the water.
In contrast, distilled water is actually boiled in a still and the
condensate collected and distributed. Distillation removes both ionic and
nonionic organic contaminants.

Either method will require periodic regeneration, in the case of a
deionizer, or cleaning in the case of a still. I think you will have to
weigh the cost of maintenance and the required capacity needed before making
your decision."

Vince Calder - as found at

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasc.../chem00223.htm


It's about time I did a little research on this one myself. I guess it really makes sense that using condensation would eliminate a broader range of impurities. As for the quantity removed given either method who knows....

[Bobonit]

Everything I read states that Deionized water is non-conductive. But, it will grab ions from your water cooling system (radiator, water blocks, any other metal items it touches) until it achieves Ionic Balance. So in my opinion, stick with distilled water.

[Titan151]

Originally Posted by Bobonit

Everything I read states that Deionized water is non-conductive. But, it will grab ions from your water cooling system (radiator, water blocks, any other metal items it touches) until it achieves Ionic Balance. So in my opinion, stick with distilled water.

Yep,

Not to mention that you can find Distilled Water at the grocery store. I think the major benifit of using this product is the elimination of the impurities that we find in reguler tap water. Wondering what these are? The other day I was inspecting a water tank. The inside of this tank has that good old orange paint. Anyone want to take a gander at what is in that orange paint?

[pauldenton]

Originally Posted by Titan151

Yep,

Not to mention that you can find Distilled Water at the grocery store.

if only that were true over here

[Butcher]

It's pretty easy to get hold of - often places that sell car spares have de-ionised or distilled water for topping up batteries.

[Glitch]

http://www.overclockers.com/articles993/

i'd refer you to this article which addresses different types of water, water additives etc. its quite detailed so you should be able to come to your own conclusions.

[pauldenton]

Originally Posted by Butcher

It's pretty easy to get hold of - often places that sell car spares have de-ionised or distilled water for topping up batteries.

de-ionised is widely available in the UK - distilled is virtually impossible to find

[Mars]

Originally Posted by Titan151

So I was going to attempt to explain this, then I realized that I am somewhat limited in my knowledge of both. So I did a google and found some good info that seems to make sense. Here is an excerpt from what I found.

"I'm not knowledgeable about the engineering aspects such as the cost of one
Compared to the other. However, as the names imply deionized water is water
that has been passed through a column or membrane to remove ions present. If
it is of the type used in homes, it is not truly a de-ionizer, removing all
ions, but rather an ion exchange column that exchanges polyvalent ions such
as Mg++ and Ca++ for Na+ ions. A de-ionizing column will not remove nonionic
organic substances from the water.
In contrast, distilled water is actually boiled in a still and the
condensate collected and distributed. Distillation removes both ionic and
nonionic organic contaminants.

Either method will require periodic regeneration, in the case of a
deionizer, or cleaning in the case of a still. I think you will have to
weigh the cost of maintenance and the required capacity needed before making
your decision."

Vince Calder - as found at

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasc.../chem00223.htm


It's about time I did a little research on this one myself. I guess it really makes sense that using condensation would eliminate a broader range of impurities. As for the quantity removed given either method who knows....

Daaaaammmnn!! Nice, research. I think, if you use either distilled or de-ionized water it'll eventually grab the particulates of metal that it encounters. Causing it to be as conductive as tap water. The benefit is that it is filtered, boiled and stilled clean water. No bacteria or organisms swimming around.

Man! I was at a lab one day, and you won't beleive the sh*t I saw in our tap water! Tiny organisms swimming around, having sex, and procreating to expand their species.............well you get the message.

Bottled water for life, after that day.

[Butcher]

Originally Posted by Mars

Man! I was at a lab one day, and you won't beleive the sh*t I saw in our tap water! Tiny organisms swimming around, having sex, and procreating to expand their species.............well you get the message.

Bottled water for life, after that day.

Most bottled water has at least as many contaminants as tap water. In addition it's about 1000 times more expensive. I prefer to rely on having an immune system than just throwing money away.

Something to consider before you start thinking bottled water is that much better: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/s...174127,00.html

[pauldenton]

Originally Posted by Butcher

Most bottled water has at least as many contaminants as tap water. In addition it's about 1000 times more expensive. I prefer to rely on having an immune system than just throwing money away.

Something to consider before you start thinking bottled water is that much better: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/s...174127,00.html

iirc there is only ONE brand of bottled water (i forget which...) that would meet the quality standards for UK tap water...

[Mars]

Originally Posted by Butcher

Most bottled water has at least as many contaminants as tap water. In addition it's about 1000 times more expensive. I prefer to rely on having an immune system than just throwing money away.

Something to consider before you start thinking bottled water is that much better: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/s...174127,00.html

Alrighty Then! On that note, I'll just keep drinking my faithful beer. mmmmmmmmm....beeeeer.

[Butcher]

Beer is pretty low in micro-organisms - most of them don't like ethanol.

But really, not drinking tap water is silly, how often do you hear of tap-water poisoning?

[pauldenton]

Originally Posted by Butcher

Beer is pretty low in micro-organisms - most of them don't like ethanol.

But really, not drinking tap water is silly, how often do you hear of tap-water poisoning?

maybe in Ontario, Canada (where Mars is from) they have lower water quality?

edit: and real beer is a living product.....

[AngryAlpaca]

Beer has a lot of yeast to my knowledge.

paul, doesn't water in the UK have a minimum calcium level? (I swear I heard this from you) That makes bottled water "unfit" for human consumption but better for our purpose.

I drink distilled water because it just tastes so much better, not for safety purposes... (living just outside city water, well water tastes horrible)

[firtol88]

Originally Posted by Mars

Alrighty Then! On that note, I'll just keep drinking my faithful beer. mmmmmmmmm....beeeeer.

mmmmmmmmmmmmm GUINNESS!!!!

[pauldenton]

Originally Posted by AngryAlpaca

Beer has a lot of yeast to my knowledge.

paul, doesn't water in the UK have a minimum calcium level? (I swear I heard this from you)

I drink distilled water because it just tastes so much better, not for safety purposes... (living just outside city water, well water tastes horrible)

yes bottled water for human consumption has a minimum calcium level (60mg of Ca per litre) - you heard it from me...
the relevant legislation is here:
http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/s...9/19991540.htm

doesn't make it "unfit" - but does mean that you can't sell distilled water for human consumption here (if you want to drink it you have to distill your own....)

[MadHacker]

Originally Posted by Mars

Man! I was at a lab one day, and you won't beleive the sh*t I saw in our tap water! Tiny organisms swimming around, having sex, and procreating to expand their species.............well you get the message.

Bottled water for life, after that day.

you should take a look at the saliva in your mouth...
more organism there...

[Butcher]

Originally Posted by AngryAlpaca

I drink distilled water because it just tastes so much better, not for safety purposes... (living just outside city water, well water tastes horrible)

Benefits of living in a small country - almost everywhere has a mains water supply.

[superart]

Originally Posted by Butcher

Most bottled water has at least as many contaminants as tap water. In addition it's about 1000 times more expensive. I prefer to rely on having an immune system than just throwing money away.

Something to consider before you start thinking bottled water is that much better: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/s...174127,00.html

Yea, but at least bottled water doesn't taste like shit and doesnt have a nasty yellow tinge.


The only time i drink tap water is when I'm drunk. And thats only to prevent hang overs, and when I dont have bottled water on hand.

[infinity9]

What the hell kind of water are you getting. I've never seen yellow water in the US except for in shady motels and the deep country

[superart]

Florida

[Mars]

Originally Posted by pauldenton

maybe in Ontario, Canada (where Mars is from) they have lower water quality?

edit: and real beer is a living product.....

Easy there buddy! You guys in England, won't be able to handle our beer in Canada. It'll be like moonshine to you.

And actually our water quality is pretty good down here. It's enriched with Fluoride so our teeth don't go yellow like the people in Europe.

[infinity9]

It's enriched with Fluoride so our teeth don't go yellow like the people in Europe.

Yeah theres alot of speculation that this could be leading to long term bad effects.