algae in waterloop or ?

[LiveOrDie]

My loop wasn't cooling like it did when i put it together so i drained it and found some green s##t in the res and the pump is this algae or some thing else? i use EK clear coolant .

 

[MT Alex]

I can't tell what it is, due to the picture you took with that potato, but I'd guess it was a byproduct of the goopy coolant you used instead of straight distilled water.

 

[micropage7]

sorry the pic is pretty blur, and wheres the green stuff?

could be algae or tube coating

 

[newtekie1]

I can't tell what it is, due to the picture you took with that potato, but I'd guess it was a byproduct of the goopy coolant you used instead of straight distilled water.

I doubt it is from the coolant. EK coolant is really good stuff. That being said, it does have a biocide in it, so it shouldn't be forming algae. That doesn't mean it isn't impossible.

 

[LiveOrDie]

Sorry my camera is crap haha ill try take a better photo, its black and green in color and feels gritty when breaking it apart with my fingers. All i know is i flushed my loop out 2 months back because of this and over the two months a lot more has formed i was going to change coolants because i cant see it being any thing else?

 

[micropage7]

it looks like dirt from block or something like that, maybe its like paint flakes

 

[MT Alex]

I don't know, it could be flux residue, but that seems like a bunch of it considering you just flushed it a couple of months ago. I only change the water in my loop when I get new parts, every 18 months or so, and I never get jazz like that.

 

[micropage7]

i suspect its from the rad, but just re flush again, just to make sure all the components are clean

 

[LiveOrDie]

Yer it seems to be growing what ever it is lol and when i flashed my loop out 2 months ago i removed all of it and it wasn't that much i've brought some ice dragon coolant it cost almost twice as much but i dont trust the EK clear any more.

Its not paint there large lumps of it feels more like dirt than any thing else.

 

[newtekie1]

How did you flush your loop?

 

[LiveOrDie]

How did you flush your loop?

Used the garden hose always works well then ill flush with dis water for 30min then i put new coolant in .

 

[Toothless]

Used the garden hose always works well then ill flush with dis water for 30min then i put new coolant in .

Stuff could be in your hose and it gets lodged in your pipes or whatever else.

 

[MT Alex]

Yeah, I've only ever flushed with distilled and some white vinegar. Kills all baddies and leaves it ready for a clean environment. Garden hose? No way, Jose.

 

[HammerON]

Fill your system with some a mix of distilled water and vinegar. Let it run for a bit, drain and then repeat. Run and drain several times with just distilled water and then fill with your coolant.
I like Koolance's clear coolant I have been using the last couple years.

EDIT: What MT Alex said

 

[LiveOrDie]

Theres nothing wrong with using the garden hose to flush your loop out as long as you remove all the water after doing so also there isn't any dirt in the hose or tap its a new hose, but now i have removed most of the algae or what ever it is ill run my loop with distilled water and vinegar for a bit.

 

[HammerON]

That is good to make sure that you have neutralized anything that can be harmful to your loop.
Using a garden hose to rinse your loop could leave unwanted particles in your loop. I would advise against it.

 

[LiveOrDie]

I only use the garden hose as its the best to flush out any thing floating around using your normal pump is to weak to give it a good flow to loosin up any thing stuck in there, So run the distilled water and vinegar for 30minutes then flush it with just distilled water or is it fine to put the coolant after?

 

[HammerON]

Ah I see why you like to use the garden hose - because of the pressure.
So if that is what you like then go ahead and use the hose. Then fush several times with the distilled water/vinegar mix and then go with just your coolant (IMO).

 

[LiveOrDie]

What the vinegar used for to kill any thing in the loop? how long should i run it for?

 

[AphexDreamer]

Don't mean to hijack thread but I've used collidal Silver, Biocide and a silver coil but my water has still gotten a green tint. Anything to worry about?

 

[LiveOrDie]

Don't mean to hijack thread but I've used collidal Silver, Biocide and a silver coil but my water has still gotten a green tint. Anything to worry about?

Green tint can be rust my coolant is the same color as when i put it in.

 

[LiveOrDie]

vinegar mix is in ill leave it running for 15-30min yer?

 

[newtekie1]

You can use any water source to flush the loop initially to get any debris out of it. However, afterwards you'll want to a 50/50 mix of Vinegar and distilled water to kill anything in the loop. The garden hose could actually be introducing the algae to the loop. I usually let the vinegar mix run for at least an hour just to make sure it kills everything. Then I do a fill, run, drain with straight distilled to get all the vinegar out, then a final fill with the coolant of your choice. My personal favorite coolant is straight distilled water with a teaspoon of copper based pool algaecide(because I own a pool and always have some on hand).

 

[LiveOrDie]

The algae was already in my loop before using the garden hose so the problem does lay there.

 

[HammerON]

What the vinegar used for to kill any thing in the loop? how long should i run it for?

"Cleaning[edit]
See also: Drain cleaner § Home remedy drain cleaners
White vinegar is often used as a household cleaning agent. Because it is acidic, it can dissolve mineral deposits from glass, coffee makers, and other smooth surfaces.[55] For most uses, dilution with water is recommended for safety and to avoid damaging the surfaces being cleaned.
Vinegar is an excellent solvent for cleaning epoxy resin and hardener, even after the epoxy has begun to harden. Malt vinegar sprinkled onto crumpled newspaper is a traditional, and still-popular, method of cleaning grease-smeared windows and mirrors in the United Kingdom.[56] Vinegar can be used for polishing brass or bronze. Vinegar is widely known as an effective cleaner of stainless steel and glass.
Vinegar has been reputed to have strong antibacterial properties. One test by Good Housekeeping's microbiologist found that 5% vinegar is 90% effective against mold and 99.9% effective against bacteria,[57] though another study showed that vinegar is less effective than Clorox and Lysol against poliovirus.[58] In modern times experts have advised against using vinegar as a household disinfectant against human pathogens, as it is less effective than chemical disinfectants.[27]
Vinegar is ideal for washing produce because it breaks down the wax coating and kills bacteria and mold. The editors of Cook's Illustrated found vinegar to be the most effective and safest way to wash fruits and vegetables, beating antibacterial soap, water and just a scrub brush in removing bacteria.[59]
Vinegar has been marketed as an environmentally-friendly solution for many household cleaning problems. For example, vinegar has been cited recently as an eco-friendly urine cleaner for pets.[60][unreliable source?]
Vinegar is effective in removing clogs from drains, polishing silver, copper and brass as well as ungluing sticker-type price tags.[61] Vinegar is one of the best ways to restore color to upholstery like curtains and carpet.[59]"
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinegar