Do I need to refill or maintain my liquid cooling system?
It depends! On MAINGEAR PCs with "closed loop" liquid coolers there is zero maintenance required, and the system will never need refilling or flushing. These types of coolers are also called "AIO's" or "all-in-ones" and are recognizable as simple CPU coolers with a built-in pump and a single radiator. Typically, these coolers have black tubing, and you cannot see the coolant in the system. Coolers like the MAINGEAR Epic 240 and Epic 360 are "closed loop" liquid coolers.
On PCs with "open loop" liquid cooling you'll typically see more complex modular systems with separate dedicated pumps, reservoirs, and radiators. These types of cooling systems often have clear tubing (although on some systems the tubing may be metal), and reservoirs with visible coolant flow. MAINGEAR systems with "APEX" cooling are "open loop" liquid cooling systems. On these types of systems there is a bit of maintenance required to keep your loop running smoothly. If you see your coolant level getting low, you'll want to top off the coolant. This can be done with PC-grade coolant or distilled water. For most users this will only be needed yearly but will vary based on usage and other factors. To sustain the ideal performance out of your APEX cooling system, we also recommend performing a full coolant flush every 1-2 years, which involves draining and refilling the coolant completely.
Usage plays a large role in APEX maintenance. Systems used less frequently will typically be able to go longer between flushes and top offs. While preventative maintenance needs are minimal, caring for your custom loop is important. Neglecting your loop over time may lead to build-up or color changing/staining, and even dye separation, if using opaque coolants. A thorough flush will typically resolve this, but it's far more time consuming to deal with after the fact. To minimize maintenance needs, and extend longevity between flushes, you may want to consider clear or translucent coolants, which tend to have a longer shelf life.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact one of our MAINGEAR Support agents: (908-620-9050) or support@maingear.com