Filling & testing your loop?

[Gareth]

Hi Guys,

I'm very new to watercooling and its been a steep learning curve! I'm pretty much there with things but one thing I'm struggling to understand is how I'm supposed to go about filling/testing/draining my loop.

To start off with, things are going to be simple (radiator at the top of the case, CPU block, pump & reservoir) but, if my reservoir is as below (please excuse my lack of paint skills ;) )

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n135/garethcamp/Res.jpg

How am I supposed to go about filling the loop? am I going to be okay to drain from that location?

My understanding is I should fill the loop with distilled water to test for leaks first, then presumably completely drain that out and fill with the watercooling liquid afterwards?

Any help is much appreciated, sorry for being a n00b! :rofl:

PS. I'm using Bitspower Compression fittings throughout and 1/2" ID 3/4" OD tubing if it makes any difference (case is a Corsair 800D)

[Church]

Better use some from lower ones as inlet. If liquid dashes in from top, possibly it will take mini air bubbles alongside making it PITA to bleed loop.

[Conumdrum]

Distilled is watercooling liquid. Distilled and a biocide.

Here is a link that talks about filling and bleeding a loop.

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=631501

One that might help too.
http://www.overclockers.com/annual-water-cooling-cleaning-rebuild-journal/

[Kurz]

Leave the top of the Res with an Air Gap.
It'll help trap those pesky air bubbles.

[Gareth]

cheers guys.

So inlet on the bottom, done. I'll fit a Bitspower fillport to the top of the case and link it to the top of the reservoir. The reservoir is the IandH Stealth 225 BTW, so I can leave an air gap that won't be visible.

[Section8]

cheers guys.

So inlet on the bottom, done. I'll fit a Bitspower fillport to the top of the case and link to to the top of the reservoir. The reservoir is the IandH Stealth 225 BTW, so I can leave an air gap that won't be visible.

Sure if you have a fill-port and some tubing running all the way to the reservoir you can fill the reservoir completely full the air will still escape up the top of the fill tube same as it would if there was room left in the reservoir.

[Gareth]

so fill the reservoir, fill the fillport tube up completely? and fit a stop in the fill port. Or just fill the tubing up 3/4 of the way?