Water additive and air bubbles problems

[mischifdad]

Im using the InnovaProtect additive from Innovatek.Seems like its creating too many suds and very small air bubbles causing the pump to suck up and getting trapped in the heatercores.After many times of turning the heatercores upsidedown sideways backwards and any which way I thought i got rid of all the trapped air but it seems to build up again days later.

I need to try a different additive and possibly move the Tank-o-matic up higher probably up behind tower.The reservoir is mounted on the External watercooling enclosure under the tower

Can anyone recommend an additive besides what im using and or suggestions on why im getting all the suds and airbubbles?Just look at the reservoir,you cant really see it but all that white is suds which is creating the small air bubbles being sucked back in by the pump.

[Player0]

Yeah, its common to have to get rid of a few air bubbles days after you start running a system because there is a lot of air dissolved in water, and it will usually come out slowly.

I usually just use about 10% antifreeze to 90% distilled water in my system. That is a GREAT looking system btw. Like the pump paint job :)

Usuaally heater cores work best with the barbs 'on top' and vertical. Which looks like how yuo have it set up. On long tube runs with fittings, air is sometimes *sucked* in to the system when the pumps are shut off. A vaccuum will actually form in the tubes as the weight of the water settles to the bottom of the system (water expands as it heats up, the contraction causes a vaccuum). I had MAJOR problems with this on my cube project. I switched to a thin smear of silicone on all the fittings, and then used 2-3 zip ties to cinch each fitting down TIGHT. It helped a little.

Gravity and expansion is your enemy here. Moving the external unit up higher may help. Keeping your resevoir low may help as well. Also, put a T somewhere in the system (up high) and use that as a sort of 'fill' line. Cap that line with a plugged fitting , but make sure there is about 3" of tubing with air in the system. When the vaccum forms, it will first depressurize that little 'air-bladder' and shouldnt suck extra air in from the fittings.

Or run the pumps 24x7 :) Thats what I ended up doing :)

[Kabooka]

I concentrated on the suction side of the system - Give all the clamps a "snugging" on all connections from the waterblock back to the intake of the pump.

And seeing that this is an external system - check any quick couples that you may have between it and the PC....

[mischifdad]

OK well i think im gonna first replace the water with maybe 10% antifreeze to 90% distilled water which seems to be the easiest and less expensive way and see if the suds go away.Unless someone recommends something better from experience.I know its the Innovatek additive thats creating all the suds cause it wasnt like that with 100% distilled water.And ive had it on 24/3 this week.

Thanks for the help guys and the compliments :)

[Player0]

PS - feel free to upload your pics in to our gallery :)