I've not had any algae or corrosion problems, but for longterm care, what do you recommend?
What chemicals are proven safe for anti algae and anti corrosion? Is an anti algae tablet (like for fish tanks) safe? Silver coil? Thoughts on different dye types (I just use UV hoses, but want to know)? I've been told you can even use a drop of dish soap?? Any thin oils usable as coolant for a loop? Etc.
I think a few drops of iodine would prevent any microbial growth, but it might stain the hoses. Anaerobic organisms could technically grow in any liquid which is suitable for cooling, but that should deal with it. Judging by the fact you're using UV hoses, you're using UV cathodes/LEDs. That should kill anything growing in the loop.
If you're putting new coolant in your loop 1-2 times a year, algae shouldn't be a problem.
Corrosion also shouldn't be a problem, if you do that.
If every component that is in contact with coolant is made of the same metal and/or plastic corrosion should not be an issue assuming you are starting with a clean loop and proper distilled water. That is perfect world thinking though, and more than likely you have some combination of copper alloys, brass, nickel, and other materials in your system. Even if you know for certain that none of your components will react with each other, it is still best to use a monoethylene glycol based coolant as it will inhibit microbial growth, help lubricate the pump and won't evaporate through PVC or other similar coolant lines. 1 part per 10 parts pure distilled water is plenty.
Don't use fish tank products or dish soap which will be full of organic material and mineral content. The best thing to use for cleaning your components is distilled white vinegar. Silver coils seem like a good idea but the layer of tarnish that they develop quickly diminishes their effect.
Edit: I accidentally a word.
I have LED fans in the case. Blacklight in my room. The loop runs outside my case is why I decided to get UV hoses. Why would anti algae tablet be a bad idea? I'd assume since it works with pumps in a fish tank it would be fine.
That algae killer contains minerals and chemicals that will promote corrosion. Same thing with the dish soap.
I cannot stress this enough, DISTILLED water is the only "flavor" you should be using. Not deionized, mineral (or demin? wtf...) not tap, filtered or plain bottled. The whole point is to keep minerals and other contaminates out of your system. Don't go putting them in. Fish tank pumps aside from the very high end, are universally shit and have almost nothing to do with a proper, sapphire bearing mag-drive pump like any decent cooling system uses (Laing D5/DDC for example).
As far as environmental concerns go, yeah, it isn't pure angel farts and unicorn tears but monoethylene glycol is sprayed in the thousands of gallons onto airplane wings to de-ice them all over the world so I doubt a couple teaspoons from your rig is going to kill baby jesus.
put some silver powder/coil inside. (and forget about it forever)
flush it once a year or year and half. (to prolong the life of pump)
just grab a bottle of pt nuke
and or a silver antimicrobial kill coil.,
dont put shit in your water except distilled water.
Make sure your blocks use the same type of metal to prevent corrosion but a simple silver coil should be all you need.
ive been using the same batch of water in my loop for idk , maybe a year ? 05-12-14 yep a year now.
just snapped this for you too see
its sorta hard to see with my new shitty cellphone camera,
but its crystal clear