Aquacomputer ULTITUBE D5 150 PRO LEAKSHIELD Reservoir with D5 NEXT Pump (34141)

The Aquacomputer ULTITUBE D5 150 PRO LEAKSHIELD Reservoir with D5 NEXT Pump (34141) is a 350 ml tube reservoir with two G1/4 ports and a D5 NEXT pump installed in its base. The LEAKSHIELD leak prevention system sits in place of the lid, so it comes as a combination, consisting of expansion tank, pump and LEAKSHIELD.

Properties

Pump

D5 NEXT, installed

Capacity

approx. 350 ml

Ports

G1/4, one marked IN

Leak protection

LEAKSHIELD, negative pressure up to 450 mbar

Lighting

RGBpx LED ring, 13 addressable LEDs

Size

72 x 77 x 277 mm with pump and LEAKSHIELD

LEAKSHIELD leak prevention

LEAKSHIELD actively protects against leaks and continuously monitors the coolant loop, even for very small leaks. Thanks to its negative pressure in the whole loop, a leak lets ambient air in instead of letting coolant out. That means no more coolant leaks out of the system, and Aquacomputer says the user almost no longer needs to worry about the tightness of the water cooling. The amount of negative pressure can be adjusted to the installed coolant pump, so that the pressure is negative everywhere in the system.

If air enters, the integrated vacuum pump is activated in a fraction of a second and pumps it out of the system, which then holds the required vacuum. Of course, it does not protect against major damage: only in case of massive leaks, such as torn tubes or a completely separated tube, can coolant still exit.

Leak tester, fill level and filling

In addition to leak prevention, LEAKSHIELD works as a leak tester. Even before the water cooling system is put into operation for the first time, LEAKSHIELD checks the system for leaks by creating a vacuum. In leak tester mode the system is then checked for pressure changes by a highly accurate integrated pressure sensor. Minuscule changes are detected, so very small leaks show up, and the leak rate can be displayed in ml/h.

From changes in pressure and the volume of air it has pumped, LEAKSHIELD calculates the current fill level of the reservoir precisely. It can also simplify filling and topping up: drawing the coolant directly from the bottle through an optional suction line prevents splashing and spills.

LEAKSHIELD has its own OLED display, illumination and a button that controls the most important functions on the device. Its signal header can shut the PC down in an alarm, like pressing the power button, through the power button cable (53216), not included. LEAKSHIELD is also sold on its own for an ULTITUBE as the LEAKSHIELD for ULTITUBE (34137).

Reservoir

The glass tube is borosilicate glass, used instead of the acrylic glass common in tube reservoirs. It has a very high hardness and scratch resistance, very low thermal expansion and excellent chemical and thermal resistance. With a diameter of 65 mm (outer) and a 5 mm wall, it carries black anodized aluminum rings bonded to both ends that never touch the coolant. The base and the lid of the reservoir are made of acetal.

A filter element of stainless steel mesh is integrated in the base, in a molded rubber part. It is easy to clean under running water, for example, and the filter also reduces air bubbles by separating them, as well as particles, from the coolant.

LED ring and fixation ring

The ULTITUBE is rounded off with an RGBpx-compatible LED ring with 13 addressable LEDs for effective illumination of the reservoir. It can be easily connected to the D5 NEXT pump with the supplied cable, and a connector at the end of the strip takes another RGBpx component. A rubber fixation ring with a stainless steel insert gives additional, vibration dampening fixation in the upper area of the glass tube.

D5 NEXT pump

The D5 NEXT runs a Laing D5 ceramic bearing motor, which Aquacomputer chose for optimum durability and smoothness. Its detachable controller unit gives easy access to the electrical connectors. A high resolution OLED display and buttons allow operation even without a PC, and an alarm buzzer and integrated RGBpx illumination give alarm indication and light effects. An integrated water temperature sensor reads the coolant.

The PWM fan output delivers up to 25 watts with speed monitoring, or works as a flow sensor input for the high flow LT (53291), never both at once. The RGBpx LED output drives up to 90 addressable LEDs, or alternatively serves as an aquabus interface to an aquaero 5/6, such as the aquaero 6 LT. Eight further values can be sent from the PC to the pump, and the firmware updates via USB.

Mounting

Mounting material for installation to a side/rear panel or to the bottom of a PC case is part of the scope of delivery, with four soft rubber buffers for decoupling. A standing installation is preferred for stability reasons, and the reservoir can stand directly on the D5 NEXT. Aquacomputer recommends additional stabilization with the D5 NEXT bracket (34111).

What the loop needs

Please note that fittings are not included: order two G1/4 fittings separately from our fittings section. The return line goes to the port engraved IN, the other line to the remaining port. LEAKSHIELD needs a loop where the maximum pump pressure is less than 450 mbar, which Aquacomputer says is almost every system with one pump; with more pumps, check it, for example by measuring.

The tubing must suit the vacuum. As a broad rule, PVC soft tubing should have an outer diameter at least 1.5 times its inner diameter, PUR tubing usually 1.2 times, and hard tubes are generally suitable. Every component has to withstand the negative pressure permanently: Aquacomputer says that applies to its own products without exceptions, and parts from other suppliers must be checked before operation.

Only coolants of the DP Ultra series are approved, such as Double Protect Ultra. Leave at least 100 ml of air in the reservoir. The pump takes a SATA power plug, and the two internal USB cables go to USB 2.0 headers on the motherboard. LEAKSHIELD gets its supply over USB, so set the USB port in the BIOS to stay powered for operation while the PC is in standby.

aquasuite software

The aquasuite software gives a comfortable setup, evaluation and visualization of all sensor data. System requirements are Windows 10 or newer and an internal USB 2.0 port. Activating this product gives you the current aquasuite version with an upgrade service for at least eighteen (18) months. After it expires, you may use and reinstall the latest version available during the upgrade period without a time limit.

The update service can optionally be extended or renewed at any time for a fee. An internet connection is required for the installation and activation of the aquasuite software. Further information on the update service and activation is on Aquacomputer's licensing pages.

Technical details

The number in the name (50/100/150/200 in the Ultitube series) refers to the length of the glass tube in millimeters.

Notes

• Never use coolants with particles: they can clog or even destroy the LEAKSHIELD membrane, and solid micro particles also damage the D5 pump bearing and may destroy the borosilicate glass tube. Never use coolants with flammable substances.
• Never touch the membrane on the bottom side of LEAKSHIELD. A damaged membrane lets moisture in and can make the unit fail.
• A fill level measurement by water column pressure (mps pressure sensors, aqualis or aquainlet XT level sensing) does not work under LEAKSHIELD's negative pressure; LEAKSHIELD measures the level itself.
• The pump must not run dry.
• Turn the power supply off completely, or unplug the mains power cord, before connecting or disconnecting any cable.
• Use light force only when screwing in fittings, so the threads in the plastic base part are not damaged.

In the box

• One reservoir with integrated pump
• RGBpx compatible LED ring
• RGBpx cable, length 50 cm
• Rubber fixation ring with stainless steel insert
• Two internal USB cables, length approx. 100 cm
• Mounting material
• Manual (quick start guide)

Aquacomputer's LEAKSHIELD manual covers installation, every mode and the aquasuite settings, and the LEAKSHIELD FAQ answers setup questions. The ULTITUBE D5 quick start guide covers the reservoir and LED ring, and the D5 NEXT manual the pump.