Aquarius III "almost" destroyed my pc.

[FREEZrBURN]

To start off, I recieved a thermaltake aquarius III watercooling system http://store.yahoo.com/svcompucycle/thaqiiexlico.html for christmas, and was really excited. I get past the difficult install, and the usafe filling process, and everything seems to work fine. But alas, everything was not fine. If you have seen the aquarius III, you may have noticed that pump is located inside the resivoir. After a few minutes oif use, I noticed the water was leaking through the wires that run into the resivoir, and power the pump. Big design flaw, but no big deal. I patched it up with some winshield cement, and everything seemed alright. Last night after playing Command and Conquer, I hear my system alarm go off in my headphones. I couldnt hear the leaking outside my headphones, but just to be safe, I turn ther PC off. This is when I hear the loud dripping noise.(not dripping, pouring) thank god for me my thermaltake case is big enough that the water pouring into my case comes within an inch of hitting my x800xt PE, or anything else in my case. I scrambled to get anything out of the case, except the motherboard, and nothing seemed damaged. Today when I got home from school, I opened the watercooling to see what may haved caused the problem. To my "surprise" the resivioir was cracked in several places.

The watercooling cost $219 from SVC.com. (ripoff, I know) I want to return it but they want 30% for a re-stocking fee, and after shipping, I'll be lucky to wind up with a little over half the $219. I'm going to call them when my mom gets home so I can get the order number (its in her e-mail) I may also send a letter to thermaltake, but I doubt they'll read it. In the meantime, does anyone have any other suggestions as to what I should do? I'm going to wait a few days to put my PC back together as to ensure everything is dry.




Also: to anyone considering buying this, I wouldn't reccomend it. Though I'm sure its some fluke that mine broke, this system did not keep my amd 64 3500 much cooler then my venus12 did.

If anyone has any suggestions as to what else I should do, fell free to say. I'm contemplating buying a new resivoir and pump, but there isn't much room in this thing, and I'm short on cash.

I'll have pics up later.

 

[MrControversial]

Sucks.

 

[aurellie1]

Yeah But you should blame yourself IMO...there are many review which state that aquarius 3 is POS

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: aurellie1
Yeah But you should blame yourself IMO...there are many review which state that aquarius 3 is POS

should or should not?
seems like you meant to say should not... heh
yeah that system sucks, that's totally ass my friend.

although good to hear your system seems to have survived the waterfall inside your case!
post up and let us know what happens!

 

[FREEZrBURN]

Will do, I read a few reviews before I asked for it for xmas, and this was my first watercooling system.
http://www.overclockercafe.com/Reviews/cooling/Tt_Aquarius_III/pg_5.html
heh, that review makes me look like an idiot for not buying the air cooling.

I'm going to wait a few days before I put it back together so that I can ensure it is fully dry. Perhaps they can replace the product and I'll sell it on ebay (that depends on wether my morals are in check that day or not.) I just hope something can be done.

 

[sodcha0s]

Isn't there a warranty on that thing? Try contacting TT about your problem, since it was obviously a design flaw/failure, you shouldn't have to pay squat for shipping or re-stocking, and I wouldn't settle for anything less.

 

[Mrvile]

Court!

 

[FREEZrBURN]

I just read the reciept, and the product was purchased from www.svc.com for $219. So I apologize for misleading.

I think court would be a little extreme, but it is still $219.00
I called SVC, and they told me to e-nmail RMA. This is what I sent:

Hello,

On Christmas of 2004 I recieved a THERMALTAKE AQUARIUS III? EXTERNAL
LIQUID COOLING SYSTEM as a gift.
http://store.yahoo.com/svcompucycle/thaqiiexlico.html

Upon recieving it I found that due to a manufacturing flaw, the
product leaked. Because the leak was insignificant, I used a small
amount of windshield cement to fix it. Yesterday, March 6, The
"resivioir" which holds the water, cracked significantly, nearly
causing thousands of dollars in damage. Luckily, the computer was
salvaged, however I can no longer rely on this product to maintain my
computer. I would like a full refund on the product, as I am not the
one at fault. The order was placed by my mother, the information is as
follows:

Order Date: 12/05/04
Order Number: svcompucycle-12-----

Ship to:
-------
--------
--------
--------


Bill to:
-------
--------
--------
--------

Product: THERMALTAKE AQUARIUS III? EXTERNAL LIQUID COOLING SYSTEM
Subtotal:$219.99
Shipping: $13.41
Total: $233.40

Thank you for your help.

Hopefully the RMA service will be helpful.

 

[sodcha0s]

I RMA'd a fan and PSU that were faulty with SVC, no problems, I paid for nothing. Hope you have the same luck!

 

That's why you test it before you install the thing with your precious components.

 

[MalfurionStormrage]

If something's not right with a brand new product, bring it back! The amount of time you think you are saving by not getting it right the first time can destroy your components or lose time later!

 

[FREEZrBURN]

As expected, www.SVC.com will not refund me, and there's a high chance they won't replace the product. IIn an e-mail, they told me to RMA it and they will determine wether they will replace it or not. I sent them an email back.

Ufortunnatley, this is unacceptable. RMA is a way for you BS your way
around me getting my money back. I am aware of your 30 day policy, and
I am also aware of your 20% restocking fee on returns. I will not pay
to ship this, just so you can deny me a replacement because I had to
superglue a leak. This is beside the point, that I don't want a
replacement. I want a full refund. Why would I want a replacement for
a product that has possibly caused thousands of dollars in damage? I
don't know if you are aware, but water and computers don't mix. Would
you use the same water heater if the original one exploded and flooded
your basement? Didn't think so. The situation is the same. I will ship
the product back, but I expect a refund. Hell, I would even settle for
store credit, as you only sold the product.

Probably not the most formal way to go, but seriously, I don't want another one.

 

[McArra]

That sux...

 

[Insomniak]

If you're going for watercooling, it's pretty much Danger Den or bust.