blue foam mod - word of caution/advice/tip

[tobarger]

From another thread:
1) fill cart 3/4 with juice
2) insert 1/4 blue foam plug (I get away with a 5mm length, width ~1 1/2 times cart width)
3) regulate juice flow by standing up(fast) or laying down(very slow) the e-cig

I push a straight pin through the empty cart at 5mm from top(center of flat side) using pliers and cut the excess pin flush with the cart. This keeps the blue foam from sliding too far into the cart.
Pure genius.

I tried using a ballpoint pen spring, but positioning the spring was just too much screwing around.

 

[beentheredonethat]

tobarger, thanks for the info and you are right, the pin through the side of the cart idea is a great idea. Perhaps you should change your avatar to this Also I hadn't thought of trying the inflation needle to fill carts, I'll try that too.

 

[Law]

I guess there's more than one way to use the blue foam. My first impressions was that it acted more as a "plug" rather than filler. This is where you would have the blue foam just at the top of the cart, and the bottom filled with juice. I'm still fairly new to the whole scene, so I guess they could be used in different ways.

 

[JB Goode]

So to make sure about what I'm reading--is this what you have to do *take an empty cartridge, put juice into that empty cart, then put the blue foam in so the bottom part of the foam gets wet and then add more juice to the top of the foam so that the whole piece of foam is very wet?*

And if the method above is what's being said, because I'm a light vaporer, and some juice remains at the end of the night, can I just drip more juice on the foam in the morning?
I'm asking now cause I need to go to Petsmart tomorrow to get some parrot supplies and will get the foam.
Using the tea bag method is a bit too messy for me but I'm a novice that this whole thing.

 

[slappy]

I tried using a ballpoint pen spring, but positioning the spring was just too much screwing around.

I do this, but I actually "winde" the spring into the filler. It helps if you can widen the top couple of coils so the spring supports the filler on the outer edge. once the atty pushes against the filler the wider spring supports the filler and keeps it in place. I have a diagram here, you can partially make out my meaning... Paper clip works to if your handy with pliers.

It works great for me, haven't found a need to change...yet!

 

[tobarger]

JB
Forget the tea bag method, way too much screwing around. Leakage is more of a problem too.
Marineland "Rite Size U" blue foam filter sleeves, one pack will last you for life.
Use any variation of the Blue Foam Plug Mod.
Use a straight edge and razor blade to cut a strip about 1 1/2 times the width of the cart and cut length at about 1/4 or even less of cart.

You have the procedure correct, you can add the straight pin mod to improve it if you like.

You can drip more juice on the foam in the morning, you probably won't need to.
Before you go to bed just lay the e-cig on it's side or stand it up with the mouth piece down to shut off juice flow.
In the morning just try puffing on it, if you need to get it started then add drops.
Experiment to find out what works best for you.
You've got the basics.

 

[JB Goode]

Thanks very much and thanks for the particular name and type to get. So now, lets hope that they have it in stock. The Petsmart close to me is very lax concerning products being on the shelf.

 

[tobarger]

Yo slappy
I've tried springs in various configurations, just too much screwing around for me.
The straight pin pushed through the cart gets the job done and is much less labor/maintenance intensive.
Once you push the pin though and snip it off, your finished for the life of the cartridge.

Also, if your not using blue foam then get some, poly fill is crap.
I bought a big bag of poly fill when I first started vaping.
Once I tried Fluval and Marineland blue foam, I marched that big bag of poly fill out to the dumpster with extreme prejudice and I'll never regret it.
At Ease
Carry On

 

[ToneLic]

i just started using the blue foam with the spring mod and i was curious, is it safe to be vaping with a spring from a pen? other than that it works great! i literally put 32 drops in my 501 cart and it didnt overflow. that stuff is incredible!

 

[tobarger]

ToneLic
Moot point.
The spring is totally not necessary.
Every spring is different, who knows what they are made of, different colors, metals and coatings.
Why put that much unknown metal in direct contact with the juice, it can't be good.
See previous post.

All you need is an ordinary straight pin and a scrap of blue foam.
Removes almost all of the mystery and screwing around.

 

[dormouse]

I do a good fill a couple of time per day - i.e. remove the foam, fill cart some amount, dip the foam into that, reposition foam and maybe add a drop of two on top. Then as long as it isn't totally dry I can top off a bit. If it gets totally dry underneath I just start not getting good drags and do a new complete fill.

And I just want to say my M402 vaped like a dream for all day today at work. I must have filled the cart perfectly today.

 

[Bozzlite]

LOL..I'm wondering if the Marineland Company is wondering why they are selling so much of Rite size U foam.

I use this stuff too, but I don't do anything special like pins or springs or straws. Just cut a piece approximately the size of the original polyfil, use a pair of tweezers to squeeze it from the sides and slide it into the cartridge. Trim it until its about 1/8 inch below the top of the cart.

The first time you fill, it absorbs the liquid kinda slow, but after that the liquid soaks in faster. I will fill the cart until the juice pools slightly on top of the foam, then use a bent paper clip to lift it slightly, allowing the juice to move down. Then it will usually hold another couple drops before it pools again. You don't really want pooling, so just dab it lightly with a paper towel or tissue.

The foam is just so much better than the polyfil.

Yes, you should wash it first with warm soapy water. Rinse it out very well and let it dry completely.

 

[slappy]

is it safe to be vaping with a spring from a pen?

Good point, I do check regularly for corrding... I looking for stainless steel...

The reason I like my approach is it "cups" the atty bridge so there is never a concern with, too much pressure, lack of wicking, or having to reshape my fill. The added support on the outer edge of the fill is the key. I leave a small bit of spring above the cart edge as a handle for cleaning, refilling on the go etc...

All that being said, I am going to try the blue foam, next time I'm at Petco. Run it through it's paces on the various mods.

 

[slappy]

Why put that much unknown metal in direct contact with the juice, it can't be good.

Why would a pin be less of a concern than a spring? Are the pins your using of a specific type? Less likely to leach into the juice? Just curious.

 

[tobarger]

slappy
The difference is surface area in direct contact with the juice.
Cut a 1/4" piece of straight pin and lay it next to your spring on a table.
In comparison one is huge and the other is tiny.

OR

Try this test:
1) Place your spring and a 1/4" piece of straight pin in one hand
2) Toss them both over your shoulder
3) Now turn around and try to find them
4) Which one is easier to find?

P.S.
Get the blue foam.
(one less thing to figure out)

 

[ToneLic]

so if i was to boil the blue foam to sanitize it, how long should i do that for cause i tried washing it with soap and it leaves a soapy after taste when vaping

 

[Mathew R Taylor]

I wouldn't worry about boiling it, or any extreme efforts on sanitizing, remember it's original purpose; a filter material for fish. They have very sensitive systems, and inpurities/bugs/crud/etc would quickly kill off an entire tank. When I first started with BF modding, I soaked in rubbing alcohol, but now I just rinse under tap water for 30 seconds to a minute, then let dry overnight. hen I cut, fill and go. I drip mostly now, but on trips I still cart with BF mods and have no issues whatsoever.

 

[tobarger]

Just rinse real good with tap water.
I've used alcohol too, but probably isn't necessary for first time use.
I use alcohol to clean foam that has been used, removes all of the old juice and leaves no residue.

 

[SuZamme]

I loved the blue foam for quite awhile in the beginning because I was comparing it to the polyfill.
However, I changed to using Fluval and NO leaks, long vaping, and flows juice dry. It is also available at pet stores.

I peel a "slab" of Fluval off one of the chunks...the thickness of a cart narrow wise (1/4+ inch). Cut a piece in a triangle with the widest part a little wider than the cart longwise (1/2+ inch). The other 2 sides are long tapers down to about a point (1 1/4 inch for regular cart and 1 3/4 inch for mega carts).

It is important to cut the triangle as an Isosceles triangle and not as a scalene triangle.

Next, take the pointed part about 3/4's of the length and twirl it to make a long point. Snip an 1/8 of an inch off the bottom tip to make it flat. Fill cart to almost top (on a 510 mega cart it takes 21 drops). Stuff Fluval into cart as far as it will go and pretty fast. All the juice is absorbed. Trim off little hairs and excess, if any, that is sticking above cart top so it is flat. Add a couple more drops and put on atty.

Whenever you want to re-fill it, pull Fluval out with tweezers and add juice (I add 16 drops to mega cart and 6-8 to regular cart) until it is 3/4's full. Put Fluval back in quickly and top off with a couple more or so drops until just starts to pool.

When it's done right, takes about a minute and lasts for quite awhile with excellent taste, vapor, and NO leaking with eGo standing upright, even all night because I fresh fill them so they are ready to go in the morning.

I have a bunch of little triangles cut ready to go as I like to change them out fresh every 2-3 days when they stop letting the juice flow smoothly. I have washed them and used them again but it is much easier to just start fresh each time.

I tried everything with the Blue Foam; Scotty's, exact measurements, spring, straw, pin, rolling, wading, etc. and nothing worked without leaking at some point. I got tired off having juice on batts and me so tried playing with the Fluval someone PIFed me.

Sorry for jumping in on your Blue foam thread and after reading all the comments, I had to share what has been working for me for months now.

 

[BradSmith]

I like the blue foam but I kinda use a half drip half top off method. I will vape untill production drops off then top off the cart and add a couple of drops to the atty. I chain vape and so far this has worked great. I am really surpized because I swore I would never go back to using a cart again (I was mostly dripping). I like LR cartomizers too. However, I bought 65 atties from China and with the blue foam they are lasting so much longer than the cartomizers that I don't think I will be buying cartomizers again any time soon. Plus I paid only $1.50 each for them.

Oh and if you can't find the blue foam vaporrenu has it cheap. $3.50 cents for a huge sheet that would last years and years.

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