ok, got my IBTanked tank and, well, lets just say priming the carto for the first time was touch and go. I think we were filling it too fast or something cause a loooot of it leaked out of the bottom. or the holes. couldnt tell which, I was just trying to grab a paper towel lol. so....finally got it un-flooded and installed and I guess, until/unless I screw up priming my next cart....what I wanna know right now is....how the heck do I change the juice out so I can vape a diff flavor? and im guessing it goes without saying not to vape all the juice down past where the holes are punched? and if I change flavors will it still just taste like the first flavor since thats what I primed the carto with? I know im sure to think of more questions but thats probably a good start for now. thanks so much!
my first cartotank Qs....
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Changing flavors with a carto tank is, ah... inconsistent at best. Depending on the juice used prior to and after, some prior juice flavor may linger for quite a long time, or may never quite leave at all - or the current juice flavor may be dulled.
You'd be better served (and what most do, unless you have lots of carto tanks - like many of us) by having several cartos, each with a dedicated juice... and if you decide to change juice, remove the carto from the tank, drop it into a ziploc, or pill bottle or even just put the carto condoms back on it... and install a carto of a "different flavor".
The down side to this is with some brands of cartos, the wick layering (there are three "layers" total) can swell over time and restrict air flow to the point of a very hard draw... at which point, you might as well toss it. This tends to be less an issue with IKV, and slightly less successfully, with Boge.
thanks so much for the reply! so, sorry if im being slow here, but I think what you're saying is that every time I want to change flavors Its best to change the cartomizer as well and basically start all over from the beginning....right? but I can save that designated flavor cartomizer, provided it's not dead, and put that back in the tank when I want to go back to that flavor.... Am I getting it? lol ... And so what really is the best recommended brand of cartomizer if you're using this method of changing juices out frequently? I understand it can be a personal preference issue but just curious overall what other people think....thanks so much!!!!
You have got it exactly. ;-)
I don't know what you're using now, but I tend to recommend Boge and Ikenvape. Ikenvape is usually purchased direct, while Boge can be had from numerous vendors.
Surevapes usually offers the best price on Boge - often at less than $1.10 per carto, while Ikenvapes, a bit of a luxury item, start at about $1.80 per carto.
ok awesome ive got it! thanks so much! sadly I just bought a ton on vaping stuff so no new tanks for mr for awhile. and ok, so, when you change the cartomizer to change the flavor should you try to keep it in an airtight as possible container so that it doesn't dry out? and if it does dry out can you re prime it or does that automatically kill it dead?...er you were saying that they swell....how can you tell when its swollen and no longer usable or is it really super obvious when that happens?
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I've kept cartos in small diameter pill bottles - sometimes with carto condoms back on, sometimes not - for as long as a month, with no apparent ill effects. Bearing in mind that in continuous use, cartos only last me 4-8 days before I'm dissatisfied with their air flow. Some friends of mine are dissatisfied in as little as 2 days.
I've drilled out the side vents on cartos in an effort to improve their air flow, as well as notched the 510 contact pin of mech mods with removable contacts... but once the wicking materials swell and block off the center air passage so that the carto does not meet your requirements for air flow... that's about time to toss them.
Remember that cartos are intended to be disposable, and you should not try to extend their lives beyond your personal satisfaction. Even if you use a new one every day... they are still cheaper by far than cigarettes. ;-)
Please keep in mind until I filled my cartotank yesterday I had never seen inside of a cartomizer like these or any cartomizer at all. my only previous experiences have been with protanks. So I really appreciate your help and patience. So when they swell up inside are you saying the way to tell is that you no longer see that hollow inner circle? Or is the only way to tell that they are swollen or unusable, from being stored, is by priming the cartomizer again filling up the tank again and hitting it and seeing what it hits like? sorry, guess im confused.
No worries... carto expertise only comes with use and time. You'll be quite experienced in another month or two, and you'll be giving advice instead of being on the receiving end.
So... a carto thats "done". You pretty much can't see down the center hole, and blowing through it, as compared to a new carto, would seem extremely restricted.
Or... grab a brand new carto. Suck or blow through it... not bad air flow eh? That quality will start to degrade. It will vary depending on the carto brand and the juice you use. Once the air flow is inadequate for your needs - toss it.
See... I also use RDAs and RBAs - and the air flow, especially through a RDA with drilled air ports, is about as good as it gets... so, I'm a bit spoiled. Cartos, even new ones, can't equal an RDA's air flow, so I have to remind myself that it's a carto - and lower my expectations a bit.
okay lol got it!! ill hafta open a new one to compare at first I guess, I actually didn't even set up this Cartotank my boyfriend,who SAID had more experience with cartomizers set it up and I watched. But apparently when it came to priming it he clearly didn't know what he was doing since he flooded it several times. Thankfully I'm not having any issues with it right now, was just curious about these few things.
As for RDAs and RBAs.....I have no clue what those even are lol!! I'm sure I'll eventually get there in my adventures with vaping but for now I'm just trying to keep it simple. Thanks again so much for all your help!!
As for RDAs and RBAs.....I have no clue what those even are lol!! I'm sure I'll eventually get there in my adventures with vaping but for now I'm just trying to keep it simple. Thanks again so much for all your help!!
Sure thing. Guys are like that... we know, and are experts at, everything, right up until we have to prove it. ;-)
There are boatloads of threads and videos about priming cartos. Most are far overly-complicated for such a relatively simple thing. Of course, a inadequately primed and burnt carto tastes horrific, so people will go to great lengths to prevent it.
Be that as it may... with a bit of research, you'll find something that works for you.
Have you read baditude's blog? Lots of good tips there.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-5-baditudes-cartomizer-tank-setup-guide.html
For me, if I run out of a flavor before the carto is bad, or if I'm just being lazy, I just fill the tank with something similar. You will get the taste of what is in the carto for a bit, but then you will get the flavor of the new juice.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-5-baditudes-cartomizer-tank-setup-guide.html
For me, if I run out of a flavor before the carto is bad, or if I'm just being lazy, I just fill the tank with something similar. You will get the taste of what is in the carto for a bit, but then you will get the flavor of the new juice.
yes ive reead eeeeverything batitude has written but im still having questions. now im trying to prime my first carto, didnt come with condoms....and I cant tell when the freakin thing is done. it only ever looked slushy for like .01 seconds so I kept filling. then it started leaking out the sides so i thought maybe I had flooded it so I tried to blow some of the excess juice out but then I didn't know what the hell I was doing....ive also read tons of other posts here on ecf and ive seen a lot of youtube videos. im like drowning in information as far as priming goes but I have no idea how to put it all together and make it work. uhg.
I like the "Uhg" part.
Sounds like you got some cheap cartos there Amy... they can (seriously) be more trouble than they're worth. Once you get some Boge or IKV cartos, you'll understand why.
Hello, Amy. Cincinnati loves cartotanks. 
Cartos, like batteries, are not created equal. Everyone has their own favorite brand of carto: Boge, Ikenvape, or Smoktech. They differ mainly in the wick, or filler material used. My personal preference are the Ikenvape cartos (Platinum or 510-Fusions), with Smoktech single coil cartos as backups for when IKV's are out of stock.
You've already read my blog to know how I prime my cartos. I don't claim that its the best way, only that it works best for me. All I can suggest is to find a method that seems to work the best for you. Once you become consistant your tank setup skills will improve and you'll be rewarded with a great vaping setup.
Best of luck to you and enjoy your cartotank.
(click to enlarge)
Cutaway diagram of how a cartotank wicks juice from the tank to the cartomizer. Not only does juice come from the tank, but the top of the filler in the carto, too. Hense the top of the filler wick will look dry if you look in it after vaping. This is normal. As long as the wick around the coil stays wet, all is well.
You don't have to "top off" the carto when you refill the tank, but it won't hurt anything if you do either. Just don't get juice into the airhole in the carto. I use either a toothpick to block the airhole or use a tank accessory tool like the Slap Yo Moma from Big Daddy Vapor (see blog).
Cartos, like batteries, are not created equal. Everyone has their own favorite brand of carto: Boge, Ikenvape, or Smoktech. They differ mainly in the wick, or filler material used. My personal preference are the Ikenvape cartos (Platinum or 510-Fusions), with Smoktech single coil cartos as backups for when IKV's are out of stock.
You've already read my blog to know how I prime my cartos. I don't claim that its the best way, only that it works best for me. All I can suggest is to find a method that seems to work the best for you. Once you become consistant your tank setup skills will improve and you'll be rewarded with a great vaping setup.
Best of luck to you and enjoy your cartotank.
(click to enlarge)Cutaway diagram of how a cartotank wicks juice from the tank to the cartomizer. Not only does juice come from the tank, but the top of the filler in the carto, too. Hense the top of the filler wick will look dry if you look in it after vaping. This is normal. As long as the wick around the coil stays wet, all is well.
You don't have to "top off" the carto when you refill the tank, but it won't hurt anything if you do either. Just don't get juice into the airhole in the carto. I use either a toothpick to block the airhole or use a tank accessory tool like the Slap Yo Moma from Big Daddy Vapor (see blog).
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thanks baditude! the cartomizers that I ordered weith my IBT setup are smoketch. I tried the toothpick method first but it seems like I was getting juice into the center hole anyway. I never thought to use the slap yo mama tool ( I did order one per your recommendation) guess I should turn it upside down so the skinny side is plugging the hole? Since I pretty well killed the one I was messing with earlier I've only got 3 cartomizers left so I'm going to have to be careful on not wasting anymore until an order of boge comes in. And what is the deal with the Juice leaking out of the bottom when you are trying to fill it? is that normal should that happen? does that mean its done aka primed? this is definitely going to take some practice.
There should not be any juice getting in the air tube if you have the toothpick in far enough.
You don't use the Slap Yo Moma tool until AFTER the carto is primed. Remove the toothpick after priming then replace it with the SYM tool. Watch the PBusardo video of the Slap Yo Moma tool that's in my cartotank blog to see how it is used.
There shouldn't be any juice leaking anywhere when you refill the tank. Replace the drip tip with the SYM tool and push it down so that the carto is pushed out the bottom of the tank. Only push the carto down about halfway through the tank, and add juice through the top cap's hole. The SYM tool will prevent excess juice from flooding the carto. When refilled, push the carto back into proper position, replace the tool with your drip tip, and you're ready to vape again.
You don't use the Slap Yo Moma tool until AFTER the carto is primed. Remove the toothpick after priming then replace it with the SYM tool. Watch the PBusardo video of the Slap Yo Moma tool that's in my cartotank blog to see how it is used.
There shouldn't be any juice leaking anywhere when you refill the tank. Replace the drip tip with the SYM tool and push it down so that the carto is pushed out the bottom of the tank. Only push the carto down about halfway through the tank, and add juice through the top cap's hole. The SYM tool will prevent excess juice from flooding the carto. When refilled, push the carto back into proper position, replace the tool with your drip tip, and you're ready to vape again.
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no I mean the juice leaking out of the cartomizer holes...when I try to prime it? the tank itself is perfect.
Hmmm, I must say, I've never had that happen. Is your juice especially thin (a lot of pg)?
Are you talking about the "pre-punched" holes, or the hole in the connector pin?
Regardless, juice should not be leaking out of any holes.
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