Kanger AeroTank absolute Fail.....are there user friendly tanks?

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justinjj1280

Full Member
Oct 8, 2011
47
85
Georgia
I've been at the vaping thing for awhile. For the longest time, I was all about carto tanks. Then, I started having bad luck with them. I'd fill them and use them the same way as always, and they would burn immediately, or just wouldn't last as long as what I'm used to.

So, I went to my local Brick and Mortar store, and they talked me into the Kanger Aero Tank. Man, this thing was awesome, when it worked. Problem was, the little airflow control knob (which is superfluous for me, anyway, I'll take a full draw any day) got stuck. The first time, I was able to use a quarter to dislodge it, thanks to a Reddit thread. The next time, nothing would dislodge it; not even needle nose pliers. So, I dropped it into a glass full of cooking oil. This actually worked. The next time, though, the entire base got stuck. Even WD40 wouldn't help it budge at all. It's possible that I damaged the thing irreparably during a previous filling attempt, I suppose. For those with experience with these, do you suspect that I got a defective one? Perhaps the machining was a little off? Or is this just not the tank for me?

I'd think by now, in the vaping world, we would have products that don't require a NASA engineer to operate. I just want to fill my juice and go. I'm sorry for the snark. I'm just unbelievably frustrated, and would appreciate any advice or product recommendations. I'm not even against buying another aerotank, if this one was just really bad.

I never want to smoke again. On the rare occasions that I have, a cigarette just makes me want a vape. I just want a product that is consistent and isn't going to fail on me constantly.

This forum pointed me in the right direction when I was frustrated with mini ecigs. I hope someone can do the same again. Thanks!
 

Recycled Roadkill

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Oct 13, 2013
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Unfortunately, those air control rings can get stuck in the lowest and or highest positions. I've used two of the rubber jar openers to get it loosened. Pliers could easily squish the ring into an oval shape with too much pressure.

Just don't get frustrated and over do if you do use pliers on it. Once you got about a quarter turn on it, it'll be loose enough to turn by hand.

As far as air control tanks go, the aspire Nautilus works far better then the aerotank.
 

Yankez

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Mar 21, 2014
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Finding the same problem with the airflow ring.

I've managed to loosen it using needle nose pliers and very little pressure. The downfall to that is that there's now scratches on the tank.

But IMO this shouldn't be an issue at all and will stop me from buying another aerotank until Kanger addresses the issue.
 

justinjj1280

Full Member
Oct 8, 2011
47
85
Georgia
Unfortunately, those air control rings can get stuck in the lowest and or highest positions. I've used two of the rubber jar openers to get it loosened. Pliers could easily squish the ring into an oval shape with too much pressure.

Just don't get frustrated and over do if you do use pliers on it. Once you got about a quarter turn on it, it'll be loose enough to turn by hand.

As far as air control tanks go, the aspire Nautilus works far better then the aerotank.

Thanks for the reply! I am pretty sure that I have destroyed this particular tank. I'm really wondering whether I should buy another one? Maybe just a ProTank? Switch back to Carto Tanks? The airflow control is really entirely useless for me. Even when the aero tank was working, I left it wide open all the time. In fact, if it had gotten stuck open, no biggie. But every single time, it stuck closed. Ugh.

I guess my question is: what is the most idiot-proof tank? I'm not all about optimal performance. I don't even adjust the voltage and wattage on my MVP. I just want a consistent delivery of nicotine and vapor without having to be a mechanic. I know it will never be as easy as striking a match and lighting a cig, but it HAS to be easier than this!
 
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Katcandoo

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May 4, 2013
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I don't have an aero tank, but I have several air flow adapters for my PT2s. I've had the same problem with the flow twist ring getting stuck in the bottom position. Thought I'd have to toss it. Ugh. Tried all sorts of things to unstick it. Finally, I used a fingernail tool - has a flat end on one end and sharp prongs on the other end. I used the prongs and pried the bottom of the flow ring around the edges, then used the flat end in the grooves on the ring to push it around. It works every time. Hope this helps (and makes sense!).
 

wheelie

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My air ring get stuck sometimes usually on the bottom because I run them wide open. they always get unstuck for me with little difficulty. When you gain experience you will get an electrical and plumbing licence so all is good. I often tell my wife I don't know how people vape with no mechanical abilities. I seem to spend almost most of my spare time working on vape stuff. Hardly even shoot my bows now as I did daily before vaping. LOL
 

catmomma

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You might want to look the Smok Trophy Tank. It's like a protank, it's glass, holds a decent amount of liquid and the coils are not so expensive. It's basic. And it's relatively cheap. The coils are also rebuildable. It sells for around 10-12 dollars depending where, and if you can find it on sale, so cheaper than a Protank 2 or 3. Here it is at Madvapes, if you look around you might find it for less.

The Trophy Bottom Coil Tank
 

justinjj1280

Full Member
Oct 8, 2011
47
85
Georgia
My air ring get stuck sometimes usually on the bottom because I run them wide open. they always get unstuck for me with little difficulty. When you gain experience you will get an electrical and plumbing licence so all is good. I often tell my wife I don't know how people vape with no mechanical abilities. I seem to spend almost most of my spare time working on vape stuff. Hardly even shoot my bows now as I did daily before vaping. LOL

I think this is what frustrates me. I have a Master's degree in History. I can master the highest philosophical concepts...4.0 GPA. But I have zero...or even negative mechanical skills. They make no sense to me. I can barely change a tire. I just want it to work, darn it!
 

K_Tech

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Sep 11, 2013
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I own a aerotank, and I'm not thrilled with it. It's okay for a "factory" tank, but it's not the greatest thing since perforated toilet paper.

It's an "upgraded" Protank2 with a gimmicky AFC.

In my opinion, as far as factory tanks go, the Aspire Nautilus outshines the Aerotank by a good margin.

I'm going to start rebuilding aerotank coils as soon as I have the chance, I'm thinking it won't be significantly better (if at all better) than the PT2 with a cotton microcoil.
 

Buggainok

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Jan 1, 2014
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Thanks for the reply! I am pretty sure that I have destroyed this particular tank. I'm really wondering whether I should buy another one? Maybe just a ProTank? Switch back to Carto Tanks? The airflow control is really entirely useless for me. Even when the aero tank was working, I left it wide open all the time. In fact, if it had gotten stuck open, no biggie. But every single time, it stuck closed. Ugh.

I guess my question is: what is the most idiot-proof tank? I'm not all about optimal performance. I don't even adjust the voltage and wattage on my MVP. I just want a consistent delivery of nicotine and vapor without having to be a mechanic. I know it will never be as easy as striking a match and lighting a cig, but it HAS to be easier than this!

I started with an ego kit from the vape shop, and they sold me Smok Tech Pyrex Aro tanks to go with it. I upgraded to the MVP 2, and found that the Smok Tech Pyrex Aro's work very well on it, too.

I have had very little, if any problems with these Smok Tech tanks. I recently ordered several more. I don't know why they aren't talked about more on this board. They hold a lot of juice, they are glass, so won't crack, and are inexpensive. What's not to like? If you'd like to check them out here is a link. I highly recommend them. No leaks, or gurgles at all for me:

Smok Tech Pyrex Aro Tank

By the way, these are not the Kanger aerotanks that everyone usually talks about.
 
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edyle

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Oct 23, 2013
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Thanks for the reply! I am pretty sure that I have destroyed this particular tank. I'm really wondering whether I should buy another one? Maybe just a ProTank? Switch back to Carto Tanks? The airflow control is really entirely useless for me. Even when the aero tank was working, I left it wide open all the time. In fact, if it had gotten stuck open, no biggie. But every single time, it stuck closed. Ugh.

I guess my question is: what is the most idiot-proof tank? I'm not all about optimal performance. I don't even adjust the voltage and wattage on my MVP. I just want a consistent delivery of nicotine and vapor without having to be a mechanic. I know it will never be as easy as striking a match and lighting a cig, but it HAS to be easier than this!

try the miniprotank2
1640100-1.jpg


or cheap, common, plastic with metal jacket EVOD: it's like the definition of idiot proof
1369403-1.jpg


Maybe you got a bad batch of cartos?
Cartos are supposed to be a hassle free vape....
 

crxess

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Sep 20, 2012
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Can't destroy the tank be damaging the base. The Bases can be purchased separately. I own (2) Bases, both are on ProTankII tanks and I don't seem to have any problems as described.
Make sure you are turning the Base and NOT the ring when Attaching or Removing the Tank and most problems will be avoided.
 

Katcandoo

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May 4, 2013
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Georgia , USA
I own a aerotank, and I'm not thrilled with it. It's okay for a "factory" tank, but it's not the greatest thing since perforated toilet paper.

It's an "upgraded" Protank2 with a gimmicky AFC.

In my opinion, as far as factory tanks go, the Aspire Nautilus outshines the Aerotank by a good margin.

I'm going to start rebuilding aerotank coils as soon as I have the chance, I'm thinking it won't be significantly better (if at all better) than the PT2 with a cotton microcoil.

Wow. I like my "factory" tank and was thrilled to be able to "upgrade" my "factory" tank by adding a "gimmicky" airflow base. Not everyone can afford to drop the $ for a new Nautilus. Or have the physical dexterity to rebuild coils.

Please try to be helpful instead of condescending. :glare:
 

spewny

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Feb 27, 2014
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I'm up to 4 aerotanks at this point and absolutely love them. I had the same issues you are talking about at first, but simply stopped screwing the ring all the way down. If you keep an eye on the airholes, it isn't required for full open, so just leave a little gap. The other trick, was never grip the adjustment ring when putting the tank on or off. This takes a little more practice, but is definitely possible. Haven't had any of them get even close to stuck in the last 4 weeks, so I think it's a good enough strategy.

As for the nautilus comparisons, I was looking at those too, but knew I wanted to rebuild coils at some point, and the aerotanks were half the price. I think the nautilus seems to be the better option for something that is great out of the box, while the aerotanks are great if you want to tinker, while using heads that are much cheaper and rebuildable. Just my :2c:, but it seems they both have their place.
 

distortoblotto

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Nov 12, 2013
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S.F/ Seattle
I've been at the vaping thing for awhile. For the longest time, I was all about carto tanks. Then, I started having bad luck with them. I'd fill them and use them the same way as always, and they would burn immediately, or just wouldn't last as long as what I'm used to.

So, I went to my local Brick and Mortar store, and they talked me into the Kanger Aero Tank. Man, this thing was awesome, when it worked. Problem was, the little airflow control knob (which is superfluous for me, anyway, I'll take a full draw any day) got stuck. The first time, I was able to use a quarter to dislodge it, thanks to a Reddit thread. The next time, nothing would dislodge it; not even needle nose pliers. So, I dropped it into a glass full of cooking oil. This actually worked. The next time, though, the entire base got stuck. Even WD40 wouldn't help it budge at all. It's possible that I damaged the thing irreparably during a previous filling attempt, I suppose. For those with experience with these, do you suspect that I got a defective one? Perhaps the machining was a little off? Or is this just not the tank for me?

I'd think by now, in the vaping world, we would have products that don't require a NASA engineer to operate. I just want to fill my juice and go. I'm sorry for the snark. I'm just unbelievably frustrated, and would appreciate any advice or product recommendations. I'm not even against buying another aerotank, if this one was just really bad.

I never want to smoke again. On the rare occasions that I have, a cigarette just makes me want a vape. I just want a product that is consistent and isn't going to fail on me constantly.

This forum pointed me in the right direction when I was frustrated with mini ecigs. I hope someone can do the same again. Thanks!

I have four AT's and all of mine rock. The air control bases are available from Sun Vapors for a less than $5 bucks.

As was said, never over tighten the ring open or closed and do not use it to tighten the tank to your device.

Also do not be afraid to load the single coils into it or play around with different ohm coils.

Right now I'm vaping Blue Steam "Blue Fog" with a 1.8ohm single coil mounted to My Provari mini @ 4.3 volts and I'm blowing clouds. :vapor:

Good luck and Vape on!
 
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