Anyone using an XSPC Photon D5?

[VanGoghComplex]

I'm eyeballing one of these, but I'm hesitant.

I have a DDC pump top/150mm reservoir that I briefly plumbed with a return line into the bottom of the reservoir. The thing would never bleed properly though, because every time air bubbles came from the loop back into the reservoir, 80% of that air would just get sucked into the pump and pushed back into the loop.

It looks like the XSPC Photon can only be plumbed bottom-return, unless you're willing to sacrifice the single top port (which I'm assuming can be used as a fill port?). How bad is it about re-ingesting air?

I'd like to do a bottom-return so I can use a x-flow radiator and have a single low-point drain... but if the Photon sucks air like my DDC setup did, I'll skip it.

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

I'm eyeballing one of these, but I'm hesitant.

I have a DDC pump top/150mm reservoir that I briefly plumbed with a return line into the bottom of the reservoir. The thing would never bleed properly though, because every time air bubbles came from the loop back into the reservoir, 80% of that air would just get sucked into the pump and pushed back into the loop.

It looks like the XSPC Photon can only be plumbed bottom-return, unless you're willing to sacrifice the single top port (which I'm assuming can be used as a fill port?). How bad is it about re-ingesting air?

I'd like to do a bottom-return so I can use a x-flow radiator and have a single low-point drain... but if the Photon sucks air like my DDC setup did, I'll skip it.

I have the 270 version of this reservoir. It's quite nice all glass and feels high quality. This is my first custom loop though so I can't compare it to any others.

I didn't find it reingested air badly at all. For the first few days I had tiny bubbles working their way through the system, but eventually through regular use all of the air collected at the top of the reservoir.

My only complaint about this reservoir is that it is an absolute pain in the ass to fill. The center LED tube or whatever that thing is, obstructs the fill port a bit and makes it difficult to get good flow in when using the adapter to a normal fitting size (note: the fill port adapter is sold separately) with a length of tube with a funnel. It drains in VERY slowly and requires frequent jiggling/massaging of the tube to fill it. I feel silly being too upset about something I don't do very often though, when in every other regard it is excellent.

Also note, that - unless they have changed it since I bought mine - the d5 pump it comes with is NOT a PWM model, but rather the adjustable type with 5 speed levels. I just keep mine on 5, the highest.

Here is what mine looks like all installed:

 

[guitarslingerchris]

XSPC sells an adapter for the big top inlet so that you can use standard g1/4 threaded stuff on it so you can do a top return. My roommate uses a pair of these in separate loops in his Tower 900 and I don't think he's had any issues. I used one of them while it was free to clean a monoblock I bought off eBay and he got both of his used off eBay and have had no problems. Nice big glass tube and it's a D5 pump so it is hard to do better for quality.

 

[Teerex20]

I have the 170 version with separate d5 non pwm. I haven't had any issues air at all. The filling is a pain thru the top till i got a bottle with curve and narrow tip.No pictures,currently doing hardline setup.

 

[Bannor_WC]

XSPC sells an adapter for the big top inlet so that you can use standard g1/4 threaded stuff on it so you can do a top return. My roommate uses a pair of these in separate loops in his Tower 900 and I don't think he's had any issues. I used one of them while it was free to clean a monoblock I bought off eBay and he got both of his used off eBay and have had no problems. Nice big glass tube and it's a D5 pump so it is hard to do better for quality.

HI there, if you don't mind a slightly offtopic question. How did you room mate install those resevoirs in his tower 900. I'm interested as I am starting my own build and trying to decide between those resevoirs and the thermatake ones.

Thanks,

Dan