(Note: This was written before tank cracking was widely known to be an issue and there weren't so many choices of glass devices on the market. It's kind of fun to look at what were the New Hot Toys at the time.)
I imagine if you're here you have a damaged tank. My condolences. I'm sorry for your loss.
Many e-liquids are incompatible with polycarbonate and acrylic. Unfortunately, most of the inexpensive gear available is made of polycarbonate or a polycarb blend. Some plastics are described by vendors as being made of an improved material less likely to leach or leak, but leaching and leaking isn’t the same as cracking or melting.
Here is a list of just some juices people have had problems with:
On-going list of tank cracking flavors
Juice recipes vary from vendor to vendor. One vendor’s cherry may be a problem, while another’s is not (although cinnamon, banana and cola tend to be universal). Other factors can make a difference as well, such as ordering extra flavor shots, how long a liquid is left sitting in a device and the thickness of the plastic. Not every juice identified as being a tank cracker will crack every tank, it's just something to be aware of.
My story:
The first thing that happened to me was that the threads of a CE4 drip tip melted. The end also became soft. Not knowing what the problem was, I ordered a stainless steel drip tip to use.
In the same order, I got a Vision Mini Vivi Nova, which I started using instead of the clearo. After about 3-4 weeks, I noticed fine hair-like strings of plastic coming off of the threads at the top of the tube where the cap screwed on. It wasn’t until I looked at the mini next to a new one that I saw how badly it was damaged.
After reading further on, I realized that my (apparently sulfuric) cinnamon-based juice was the culprit. I ordered a glass tank with lovely acrylic caps.
Worth noting: While waiting for the glass tank to arrive I considered using the mini, but then thought better of it. I’m no rocket surgeon, so I don’t know the exact mechanics of plastic degrading, but it occurred to me that there might be a by-product being produced I didn’t want to vape. Bleach and vinegar are fine by themselves, but combined release toxic chlorine gas. Just a thought.
I believed I was home-free with the glass tank, but it wasn’t too long afterward that while changing cartos the acrylic cap slid down into the tube. It was mushy and I had a hard time getting it out. Even after rinsing under the faucet, the cap remained sticky. That’s when I learned acrylic was affected. I now only use stainless steel or silicone caps on my tanks.
Should we even vape this stuff?
That is open for debate. It may not be safe to vape, but we have no guarantees anythingis safe to vape. I smoked for a very long time and my lungs aren’t made of polycarb, so I’m not worried about it. My favorite vape is still the aggressive one (a term used by OCD of IBTanked when it melted the acrylic caps). I vape it daily. If you’re concerned, do some research and decide for yourself what you feel comfortable with.
What can we use?
Glass, polypropylene, metal, ceramic and silicone; for both the device and the drip tip.
You can direct drip into an atomizer or use:
Cartomizers:
Glass or polypropylene tanks (with metal or silicone caps):
.........IBTanked.........................Kanger Protank..................Polypro tank
Metal tanks
............Vision Vivi Mini Nova
The tank needs to be entirely made of metal. A Kanger EVOD which has a metal sleeve and a window to see the juice level is not safe. The window is made of a polycarb blend. An “STV” a.k.a. “Neptune” Vivi Nova that is unsafe for the same reason.
April Update:Smoktech has just released a Pyrex and Metal DCT tank. It looks like more manufacturers are finally responding to consumer requests for more durable gear!
Smoktech glass dual coil cartomizer tank
For clearos, member Cookster advised that she has used CE3s for quite some time without problems. The CE3 is a small bottom coil device, which is called a cartomizer by some vendors and a clearomizers by others. Got Vapes has branded them “Flüx Phoenix Bottom Coil.” What they are made of is unknown.
June Update: After hearing of Cookster's good fortune I started using CE3 Xls a lot, since they are small and sold in packs of 5 including a drip tip and filling syringe. They worked well for me out running errands, but I can't say they are 100% safe. Out of about 30, there were 6 or 7 that turned up empty when they shouldn't have been. It wasn't as much leaking as subtle seeping. When I looked at them together, all of the ones that had seeped had cracker juices in them. There was no cracking or etching of the plastic, the juice was just gone. Adding further to the quandary, other of the CE3s that had cracker juices in them were fine. I think this illustrates how different vendors' recipes and flavor strength can be a factor in whether or not a tank is affected.
*There is also a Pyrex Vivi Nova that just hit the market. No reviews yet on how it performs: Pyrex Vivi Nova
It appears the manufacturers have figured out that there is a big market for glass. Smoketch has the "ARO TANK," pyrex BCC that looks like a slim EVOD (it's hard to tell from the same pictures I've seen). It has a colorful metal sleeve with a window like an EVOD. They haven't hit the market yet (except for pre-orders), but will very soon. (2014 update: There used to be a link here to VJ's blog, but it's gone now. How silly.)
*There is also the DBox PuriTank, another device very similar to the Protank, but with a removable drip tip. (2014: Another broken link. Apparently, the DBox didn't sell well.)
As I type this there are more products to be on the look-out for. They are either just hitting the market or will be very soon: the Kanger Mini Protank, the Kanger Protank II and the Davide Glassomizer by Anyvape.
*(Summer of 2013 update) Oh God! I can't keep up with the new glass products anymore! I'm really happy about all the choices coming out now though. No more melted tanks! Yipee!
Don't forget drip tips when you're putting together juice proof gear. Metal, glass and ceramic are the safest. Be aware, that TruStone tips aren't compatible. They are made of stone powder and acrylic resin. It took a couple of months, but the resin in a TruStone tip reacted to my favorite juice and it snapped off at the bottom.
For additional disturbing images, click below for a video of cracking clearomizers in under 5 minutes. This video was made in Denmark and apparently they use the word "Aroma" in place of "Flavoring."
Update: Unfortunately, the video I posted has since been made private. Here is another one, but it's not nearly as dramatic.
Here is some scientific information on the topic: » Why Do Some E-liquids Crack Plastic Tanks?
I imagine if you're here you have a damaged tank. My condolences. I'm sorry for your loss.
Many e-liquids are incompatible with polycarbonate and acrylic. Unfortunately, most of the inexpensive gear available is made of polycarbonate or a polycarb blend. Some plastics are described by vendors as being made of an improved material less likely to leach or leak, but leaching and leaking isn’t the same as cracking or melting.
Here is a list of just some juices people have had problems with:
On-going list of tank cracking flavors
Juice recipes vary from vendor to vendor. One vendor’s cherry may be a problem, while another’s is not (although cinnamon, banana and cola tend to be universal). Other factors can make a difference as well, such as ordering extra flavor shots, how long a liquid is left sitting in a device and the thickness of the plastic. Not every juice identified as being a tank cracker will crack every tank, it's just something to be aware of.
My story:
The first thing that happened to me was that the threads of a CE4 drip tip melted. The end also became soft. Not knowing what the problem was, I ordered a stainless steel drip tip to use.
In the same order, I got a Vision Mini Vivi Nova, which I started using instead of the clearo. After about 3-4 weeks, I noticed fine hair-like strings of plastic coming off of the threads at the top of the tube where the cap screwed on. It wasn’t until I looked at the mini next to a new one that I saw how badly it was damaged.
After reading further on, I realized that my (apparently sulfuric) cinnamon-based juice was the culprit. I ordered a glass tank with lovely acrylic caps.
Worth noting: While waiting for the glass tank to arrive I considered using the mini, but then thought better of it. I’m no rocket surgeon, so I don’t know the exact mechanics of plastic degrading, but it occurred to me that there might be a by-product being produced I didn’t want to vape. Bleach and vinegar are fine by themselves, but combined release toxic chlorine gas. Just a thought.
I believed I was home-free with the glass tank, but it wasn’t too long afterward that while changing cartos the acrylic cap slid down into the tube. It was mushy and I had a hard time getting it out. Even after rinsing under the faucet, the cap remained sticky. That’s when I learned acrylic was affected. I now only use stainless steel or silicone caps on my tanks.
Should we even vape this stuff?
That is open for debate. It may not be safe to vape, but we have no guarantees anythingis safe to vape. I smoked for a very long time and my lungs aren’t made of polycarb, so I’m not worried about it. My favorite vape is still the aggressive one (a term used by OCD of IBTanked when it melted the acrylic caps). I vape it daily. If you’re concerned, do some research and decide for yourself what you feel comfortable with.
What can we use?
Glass, polypropylene, metal, ceramic and silicone; for both the device and the drip tip.
You can direct drip into an atomizer or use:
Cartomizers:
Glass or polypropylene tanks (with metal or silicone caps):
.........IBTanked.........................Kanger Protank..................Polypro tank
Metal tanks
............Vision Vivi Mini Nova
The tank needs to be entirely made of metal. A Kanger EVOD which has a metal sleeve and a window to see the juice level is not safe. The window is made of a polycarb blend. An “STV” a.k.a. “Neptune” Vivi Nova that is unsafe for the same reason.
April Update:Smoktech has just released a Pyrex and Metal DCT tank. It looks like more manufacturers are finally responding to consumer requests for more durable gear!
Smoktech glass dual coil cartomizer tank
For clearos, member Cookster advised that she has used CE3s for quite some time without problems. The CE3 is a small bottom coil device, which is called a cartomizer by some vendors and a clearomizers by others. Got Vapes has branded them “Flüx Phoenix Bottom Coil.” What they are made of is unknown.
June Update: After hearing of Cookster's good fortune I started using CE3 Xls a lot, since they are small and sold in packs of 5 including a drip tip and filling syringe. They worked well for me out running errands, but I can't say they are 100% safe. Out of about 30, there were 6 or 7 that turned up empty when they shouldn't have been. It wasn't as much leaking as subtle seeping. When I looked at them together, all of the ones that had seeped had cracker juices in them. There was no cracking or etching of the plastic, the juice was just gone. Adding further to the quandary, other of the CE3s that had cracker juices in them were fine. I think this illustrates how different vendors' recipes and flavor strength can be a factor in whether or not a tank is affected.
*There is also a Pyrex Vivi Nova that just hit the market. No reviews yet on how it performs: Pyrex Vivi Nova
It appears the manufacturers have figured out that there is a big market for glass. Smoketch has the "ARO TANK," pyrex BCC that looks like a slim EVOD (it's hard to tell from the same pictures I've seen). It has a colorful metal sleeve with a window like an EVOD. They haven't hit the market yet (except for pre-orders), but will very soon. (2014 update: There used to be a link here to VJ's blog, but it's gone now. How silly.)
*There is also the DBox PuriTank, another device very similar to the Protank, but with a removable drip tip. (2014: Another broken link. Apparently, the DBox didn't sell well.)
As I type this there are more products to be on the look-out for. They are either just hitting the market or will be very soon: the Kanger Mini Protank, the Kanger Protank II and the Davide Glassomizer by Anyvape.
*(Summer of 2013 update) Oh God! I can't keep up with the new glass products anymore! I'm really happy about all the choices coming out now though. No more melted tanks! Yipee!
Don't forget drip tips when you're putting together juice proof gear. Metal, glass and ceramic are the safest. Be aware, that TruStone tips aren't compatible. They are made of stone powder and acrylic resin. It took a couple of months, but the resin in a TruStone tip reacted to my favorite juice and it snapped off at the bottom.
(Warning! The following are graphic images. You may find them disturbing. You might cry.)
CE2
T3
CE4
MAP Tank
(I believe these Delrin drip tips melted from heat, but I included them since tips that have degraded from juice look very similar.
It's just an example of what could happen.)
CE2
T3
CE4
MAP Tank
(I believe these Delrin drip tips melted from heat, but I included them since tips that have degraded from juice look very similar.
It's just an example of what could happen.)
Update: Unfortunately, the video I posted has since been made private. Here is another one, but it's not nearly as dramatic.
Here is some scientific information on the topic: » Why Do Some E-liquids Crack Plastic Tanks?
