Can you use Fish tank pumps for water cooling?

[DanDaMan315]

I'm trying to think of ways to bring the cost of water cooling down. A fish tank pump could work? maybe? I'm not really sure if that would even be cheaper.

 

[NokiaDude]

Well, no. Because fish tank pumps are designed differently than true "water pumps". And I doubt it'd be cheaper. Just buy a true water pump you noob.

 

[qbackin]

Originally posted by: NokiaDude
Well, no. Because fish tank pumps are designed differently than true "water pumps". And I doubt it'd be cheaper. Just buy a true water pump you noob.

lmfao

 

[Greenman]

Most water pumps used are "fish tank" pumps, or "pond" pumps. If you use it in a computer then it's a "computer" pump. Some advice, don't use a cheap pump. I tryed it, saved $30, it leaks and makes noise. Not worth the $30 IMO.

 

[shira]

Ya gotta be careful of letting the Piranha get close to the CPU (they might take a bite out of it). Other fish you'd typically keep in an aquarium are fairly benign (although various aquairium plants can foul the case fans).

So, sure, give it a try.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

My friend uses the water from his fish tank for his watercooling thing. I'm surprised the fishies haven't died yet (they're tropical fish I guess?)...... although he said he kept the fishes in there becuase it gives him comapny *rolleyes*

 

[MobiusPizza]

I ever wondered if algae would grow in the warm CPU heatsink blocking the water flow eventually

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: AnnihilatorX
I ever wondered if algae would grow in the warm CPU heatsink blocking the water flow eventually

Yup, it will. if you aren't very careful about your coolant mixture.

 

[Athlongamer]

Originally posted by: HardWarrior

Originally posted by: AnnihilatorX
I ever wondered if algae would grow in the warm CPU heatsink blocking the water flow eventually

Yup, it will. if you aren't very careful about your coolant mixture.

Water cooling sounds like too much trouble to maintain just for a few degrees... mixtures.....cleaning the water.....tubes.......leaks......the word 'careful'......am i right??

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: Athlongamer

Originally posted by: HardWarrior

Originally posted by: AnnihilatorX
I ever wondered if algae would grow in the warm CPU heatsink blocking the water flow eventually

Yup, it will. if you aren't very careful about your coolant mixture.

Water cooling sounds like too much trouble to maintain just for a few degrees... mixtures.....cleaning the water.....tubes.......leaks......the word 'careful'......am i right??

Not really, AG. Do your homework first and it's really quite easy. Also, the benefits far exceed just a few degrees off the top. Consider: This season its been as hot as 101 degrees F in my computer room. My baby didn't skip a beat, no matter what I was doing.

 

[Greenman]

I need to add the same thing I put in every water cooling thread: Air is getting really good, so good that it's hard to recomend water. Before you dive in (pun intended) give the new heat sinks a good look.

 

[Chode Messiah]

As long as you by a good coolant (anti-algae, etc.) and rubber sealant, then water cooling is really easy, but I would only reccomend it, if u overclock, or you live in Arizona or California where it's very hot.(even then, it would be more viable to just buy a thermalright, and a good Yate Loon fan.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Fish tank pumps pump AIR

Water pumps pump WATER

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
Fish tank pumps pump AIR

Water pumps pump WATER

Air pumps pump air, water pumps pump water.

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: Greenman
I need to add the same thing I put in every water cooling thread: Air is getting really good, so good that it's hard to recomend water. Before you dive in (pun intended) give the new heat sinks a good look.

Air has been really good GM, but I wouldn't say it's getting better. It's still variations on a theme, and that theme is moving hot air around in your case instead of exhausting it efficiently. Also, and I don't mean this in a negative way, if you think air is fine why evangelize against water in "every water cooling thread?" Live and let live.

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: HardWarrior

Originally posted by: Greenman
I need to add the same thing I put in every water cooling thread: Air is getting really good, so good that it's hard to recomend water. Before you dive in (pun intended) give the new heat sinks a good look.

Air has been really good GM, but I wouldn't say it's getting better. It's still variations on a theme, and that theme is moving hot air around in your case instead of exhausting it efficiently. Also, and I don't mean this in a negative way, if you think air is fine why evangelize against water in "every water cooling thread?" Live and let live.

I'm not against water cooling at all, I use it. I just think that the best air coolers are pretty good, and worth looking at before someone spends a couple hundred on a water setup. A lot of the threads about water are from people who have stock cooling, and think water is the next step.
Perhaps I need to word my advice a little better, my intent is to inform the poster that there are other ways of cooling that might work for them, and they should look at all the options before making the leap.
Better?

 

[krazzypanda]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
Fish tank pumps pump AIR

Water pumps pump WATER

Yeah thats true.

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

Originally posted by: krazzypanda

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
Fish tank pumps pump AIR

Water pumps pump WATER

Yeah thats true.

Well, There is fish tank air pumps, and there is fish tank water pumps.. Go to any pet store, you will see..

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: NokiaDude
Well, no. Because fish tank pumps are designed differently than true "water pumps". And I doubt it'd be cheaper. Just buy a true water pump you noob.

Yes you can and most knowledgeable builders do.


Ehiem makes the quietest pumps bar none.

Iwaki and Little Giant makes serious high head pumps for extreme water cooling.

This is why I rarley come in here anymore so much misinformation.:|

 

[Zebo]

OP you want cheap you get a danner mag3 pump. $30 nothing can touch it. More powerful than any sold by water cooling kits.

 

[RobsTV]

Skip the pump, and just use the fish tank.

http://www.markusleonhardt.de.nyud.net:8090/oelrechner.html

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: Greenman

Originally posted by: HardWarrior

Originally posted by: Greenman
I need to add the same thing I put in every water cooling thread: Air is getting really good, so good that it's hard to recomend water. Before you dive in (pun intended) give the new heat sinks a good look.

Air has been really good GM, but I wouldn't say it's getting better. It's still variations on a theme, and that theme is moving hot air around in your case instead of exhausting it efficiently. Also, and I don't mean this in a negative way, if you think air is fine why evangelize against water in "every water cooling thread?" Live and let live.

I'm not against water cooling at all, I use it. I just think that the best air coolers are pretty good, and worth looking at before someone spends a couple hundred on a water setup. A lot of the threads about water are from people who have stock cooling, and think water is the next step.
Perhaps I need to word my advice a little better, my intent is to inform the poster that there are other ways of cooling that might work for them, and they should look at all the options before making the leap.
Better?

I selected the word "evangelize" carefully GM.

 

[Greenman]

Whatever.
To the OP, the only small water pumps you can get around here are at pet stores or hardware stores. In pet stores they call them aquarium pumps, in hardware stores they call them pond pumps. If they move air they call them air pumps. Almost anything that's made to run 24/7 and move water will work.

 

[H20Cool]

I ever wondered if algae would grow in the warm CPU heatsink blocking the water flow eventually

Yup, it will. if you aren't very careful about your coolant mixture.

True, to some degree. If your case has no lighting in it whatsoever, than algae shouldn't be a problem even with staight water with nothing added. That's why most water pipes are opaque, so light can't pass through them. Algae needs light to grow, without it, no algae. Additives are usually incorporated for their corrosion protection, not nessecarily to prevent algae.

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: H20Cool

I ever wondered if algae would grow in the warm CPU heatsink blocking the water flow eventually

Yup, it will. if you aren't very careful about your coolant mixture.

True, to some degree. If your case has no lighting in it whatsoever, than algae shouldn't be a problem even with staight water with nothing added. That's why most water pipes are opaque, so light can't pass through them. Algae needs light to grow, without it, no algae. Additives are usually incorporated for their corrosion protection, not nessecarily to prevent algae.

Light-loving spora aren't the only things you have to worry about when deciding on a coolant mixture. At any rate, straight tap water should never be used without an additive designed to buffer the solution and kill whatever organisms are present. Most water pipes are either underground or in walls, as such I think you're inventing a corelation that doesn't exist. Not all algae needs light. If you don't believe me and you have older plumbing, remove the strainer and look into the neck of your kitchen faucet.

I'm sorry, but you're wrong on this. Non-annodized aluminum blocks are rare today, if you can find one at all. Most loops simply don't have the components that will, by themselves, cause galvanic\parasitic corrosion. The primary reason (or at least the one most mentioned by people who consider themselves in the know) for additives is to control the chemical nature of their coolant. Biology in your loop can be both the cause and effect of a poor coolant mixture.

The choice, of course, is up to the individual. But I wouldn't dump tap water into my loop, shield my internals from as much light as possible, and hope for the best.