New watercooling stuff but size unknown

P

ProOC

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jun 17, 2003
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129
I have a swiftech kit and from the looks of things swiftech has used all 1/2" OD tubing.

I need to replace my pump and I need to pick up a res as well to replace the swiftech fill and bleed kit.

The pumps seem to have support for 1/2" ID tubing and a lot of tubing is 1/2" OD tubing. What will I need to use my swiftech block and radiator.

Should I look for 1/2" OD tubing and then get connectors to the pump and res?

Should I use the larger tubing and downsize if needed?

Does my swiftech stuff even use 1/2" OD tubing or am I on crack?

Answer me please@!! Thanks all. :D
 
Why do some web sites label parts and adapters as just 1/2" or something and don't specify the Inner or Outer diameter of it?

Also can my radiator be higher than a bay res in the loop? Seems like the water would pour out. :)
 
ProOC said:
Why do some web sites label parts and adapters as just 1/2" or something and don't specify the Inner or Outer diameter of it?

Also can my radiator be higher than a bay res in the loop? Seems like the water would pour out. :)
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cause they suck...lol

swiftys kits are 3/8 id, and 1/2 od. basically any 3/8 id tubing will fit, but if you want it to look the same as the other lines you need for it to be not only 3/8 id but 1/2 od.
i would guess you can place your res lower than your rad, i use a tline so i am not sure.
 
Well where there is quick connect fittings and the tubing goes into the swiftech stuff then shouldn't I make sure that it's 1/2" OD? I mean the 5/8" OD stuff would seem to work as well though because it's just a tiny bit bigger and the quick connect could probably get a good "bite" on it. Maybe not though. ANyone know about this?

And where I would connect these 3/8" ID tubes to pumps and res's that have 1/2" ID I am guessing I need to buy a 3/8" to 1/2" connectors somewhere? Thanks.
 
ProOC said:
Well where there is quick connect fittings and the tubing goes into the swiftech stuff then shouldn't I make sure that it's 1/2" OD? I mean the 5/8" OD stuff would seem to work as well though because it's just a tiny bit bigger and the quick connect could probably get a good "bite" on it. Maybe not though. ANyone know about this?

And where I would connect these 3/8" ID tubes to pumps and res's that have 1/2" ID I am guessing I need to buy a 3/8" to 1/2" connectors somewhere? Thanks.
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Somewhere would be homedepot, lowes, etc. I would just get those 3/8" ID tubing, heat one side of it up real good in boiling water, make snug fit over the 1/2" Radiator. You probably won't even need clamps after this :) Reason not necessarily playing cheap but because the connector will be another restrictive thing in your loop.
 
It's best to have the res to be the highest point of the system when you're filling it, so that way you don't start your pump dry. But once it's running you can have it pretty much wherever you want.
 
jinu117 said:
Somewhere would be homedepot, lowes, etc. I would just get those 3/8" ID tubing, heat one side of it up real good in boiling water, make snug fit over the 1/2" Radiator. You probably won't even need clamps after this :) Reason not necessarily playing cheap but because the connector will be another restrictive thing in your loop.
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Have you done this with good results? Do people normally do this?

I'll stretch it and use some clamps if I can.
 
stumpy said:
It's best to have the res to be the highest point of the system when you're filling it, so that way you don't start your pump dry. But once it's running you can have it pretty much wherever you want.
Click to expand...

As long as your pump's intake is connected to the res, the only res placement requirement is to have the water line higher than the pump's inlet.
 
thewhiteguy said:
As long as your pump's intake is connected to the res, the only res placement requirement is to have the water line higher than the pump's inlet.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I didn't really mean to say the highest point of the system.... your correct that it only needs to really be above the pump.
 
Sweet, good to know.

I am still clueless on what I should order for tubing and if needed some couples to fit the larger with the smaller.

I would really like to hear that I can and should just try to squeeze the smaller tubing after boiled a bit around my new res and pump. This would save me time and money and frustration... if it's ok to do really. Anyone do this currently with good results?
 
There's plenty of adapters and fittings around, you could probably find something that works at Lowe's or a plumbing store. Or there's a couple places that sell 5/8 to 3/8 adaptors, or 1/2 to 3/8... all sorts.

If you want some cheap Tygon, I've got a bunch to get rid of. 3/8" ID, and 5/8" OD. Good flexible clear stuff...I like it.
 
stumpy said:
If you want some cheap Tygon, I've got a bunch to get rid of. 3/8" ID, and 5/8" OD. Good flexible clear stuff...I like it.
Click to expand...

Will it allow me to stretch over 1/2" piece on the pump and res?
 
I personally have done the 3/8" ID Tubing on a 1/2" OD Waterblock, and it works fine, no clamps needed:). I even used a blowdryer instead of boiling water :).
 
ProOC said:
Will it allow me to stretch over 1/2" piece on the pump and res?
Click to expand...

On my Eheim 1250, on the intake, standard size is 5/8" ....I use an adaptor for that fitting, but the "exhaust" fitting is meant for 1/2" , and I use my 3/8" ID 5/8" OD on there no problem. I used it for a while with 1/2" fittings on my res, and those seemed a little harder to stretch over, but I got it on there, and could clamp it easily enough. I just picked up some 3/8" fittings since they were only a buck or two at lowe's.
 
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