The case for cotton wicks

[sandybeach]

Since I started using the Vivi Nova tanks almost exclusively, I've noticed that I am coughing. I saw a thread where testing was done on silica wicks. This showed that the stock Vivi wicks shed little particles that can lodge in your lungs.

I wondered why people were making their own cotton and bamboo wicks, now I see the reason.

Does anyone sell cotton or bamboo wicks?
Are you re-wicking with cotton?

 

[nebulas]

I am re-wicking with cotton. I don't know anyone selling heads with premade cotton wicks.

I am using this.....
Amazon.com: Cotton Square Braid Candle Wick - #1/0: Arts, Crafts & Sewing

They are the perfect size, do exactly what I want them to do, and perform great.

 

[AttyPops]

sandy...ask TomCatt in PVT if you drop in. He's been doing this stuff for a while.

 

[sandybeach]

I am re-wicking with cotton. I don't know anyone selling heads with premade cotton wicks.

I am using this.....
Amazon.com: Cotton Square Braid Candle Wick - #1/0: Arts, Crafts & Sewing

They are the perfect size, do exactly what I want them to do, and perform great.

Nebulas, thanks. I have looked at the videos and read the tutorials, but just don't quite get the hang of doing it myself. With so many available materials, the width and type of the coil material, what type of cotton to use... pure cotton or yarn, or bamboo, there are too many variables right now for me to make a decision on how to do it.

 

[sandybeach]

Has anyone else noticed that they have more "stuff" in their lungs from using the stock Vivi Nova heads?

 

[AttyPops]

I think most atomizers and cartos use silica wicks. Some may be better than others IDK. I don't think it's exclusive to the VN. I'm using an atty right now that's doing the same thing as the VN did ...feel wise.

So...IDK. I've yet to replace the wicks with cotton to see if it makes a diff. It could be the juice and/or the device. Just say'n. So I've not noticed more "stuff". The VN is basically a big top coil clearo. So the CE2's I've used can get harsh/scratchy too.

Have you used a CE2 before? Did you experience the same thing?

I also wonder about manufacturing changes abroad and if the wicks are good quality in general for all our stuff.

 

[Jett1980s]

I was using Vivi Nova heads for a while and never experienced anything of the sort and am still using silica wicks up till now, I believe the test was done in an environment where you inhaled micro particles of silica into your system that were in the atomosphere, with that being said, it might be your juice or some other reasons you're coughing, too high of a nicotine strength? allergic to PG? Might want to have those options looked over too.

 

[TomCatt]

Hi Sandy,
I don't have a Vivi Nova, but have used CE2 clearomizers for over a year (the 'original' top-coil carto ). The top coil designs are notorious for wicking problems. If my CE2s weren't wicking well it would make me cough. Whether it was from silica particles or just a overly hot draw, I have no idea.

What I've done with cotton and something you may try out with the Vivi Nova is to remove the silica wick(s?). Get some 100% cotton batting (such as this). You can pull/twist this cotton to form a wick. Make one thin enough to just fit inside the coil of the Vivi Nova, thread it through the coil and you're good to go.


ETA:
What I like about using cotton for wicks is that it does wick much better than silica. With the silica in the XL CE2s I would vape until i they were ~2/3 empty then refill because the wick couldn't keep the coil wet. When I switched to using cotton batting wicks, I had to keep an eye on the juice level or I'd vape it dry.

 

[XXZOMBIEPEPPERXX]

Im currently using bamboo fiber wicks and twist my.own coils as well as ohm testing. I own 3 vivi novas. And they work sooo good ") Shoot me a pm and we can work out a deal.

 

[sandybeach]

Pops, if it is the case that everything uses silica, then perhaps I am wrong about it being the Vivi that is causing the lung gunk for me. What I used before the Vivi and still use are the SmokTech dual coil cartomizers in a tank. I wonder if the atty on the dual coil cartomizer or the filling in the carto has silica in it?

I rarely use atties to drip. I have a bunch of them, just never use them. I tried using the i06 atty with a Drip on Demand thing I won in a contest, but I hated it, and gave the Drip on Demand thing away.

XXZOM, will do.

TommCatt, I think I tried a CE3 clearo and it got all burnt tasting. Same with the Apollo Tanks. The Vivi is the only fillerless thing that has worked beautifully for me. I really love the Vivi Novas.

 

[AttyPops]

Yeah... FYI... I'm not saying you're wrong... only that if it is in the VN it's probably somewhere else too....

 

[SmokinBones]

Has anyone else noticed that they have more "stuff" in their lungs from using the stock Vivi Nova heads?

I notice that I get a feeling like I have phlegm or something in my throat a lot. I mostly use a Vivi Nova with stock head/wick. Not sure if it's related or not though since the Nova is nearly all I use.

I'm not really feeling confident to mod anything myself to try out a new type of wick. The last time I tried a mod I ended up with a useless eGo battery. I still have it in pieces in a box...planning to use the parts for an Altoids can mod eventually. Well...as soon as I get up the courage to try modding again

 

[mwa102464]

I've used both and still like Silica best, it has a better natural wicking ability then cotton in my opinion, though many like cotton, keep your silica wet and you shouldn't have a problem its when your vaping it dry it leads to issues. I dont use my ViVi to often but I have mine set up with silica hanging down in the tank and a small layer of cotton twisted over top of the silica at the coil,, this works well for me, this way the silica wicks up the liquid better to the coil and you have the best of both worlds at the coil

 

[Kemosabe]

i really like the extra TH i get from the VN. its the first/only top coil design ive used and im actually even enjoying juices in my arsenal that were previously just scraping by in terms of TH. i could previously barely vape them, but now this tank has given those juices a new life.

i believe that the dry/scratchy/"stuff" feeling your getting is from the VN top coil design.

"one (wo)man's trash is another mans treasure".

---------

also, i am a tad weary of cotton wicks. i am intrigued by the superior wicking ability, but put off by the supposed noxious chemical that is expelled if the wick does dry. so if thats a concern for you, SS may be the way to go perhaps.

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I have mine set up with silica hanging down in the tank and a small layer of cotton twisted over top of the silica at the coil,, this works well for me, this way the silica wicks up the liquid better to the coil and you have the best of both worlds at the coil

do you perhaps have a photo of this? sounds mighty interesting.

 

[ninjuh]

I use nova tanks daily with stock wicks & I've never had any problems. Don't let it get dry & there's no reason particles are gonna fly into ur throat.

~Vaping is a lifestyle~

 

[donnah]

I'm rewicking with the same cotton candle wicking, but I'm finding I like the silica better. It doesn't burn like the cotton. But with all the talk of flying silica particles, I'm sorta scared to use the silica too much if at all. And here I thought I was the only one who preferred the silica!

 

[AttyPops]

Just made up a cotton wick.

<---- Avi

So... 1st report for me: It wicks well. Made from boiled butcher's 100% cotton twine. Unraveled and made into a wick on my V.N. 2.5. It is a new coil though... so IDK if it's the new coil or the cotton that's making it...less scratchy. But it's less scratchy IMO. No burning yet after about 1/2 tank.

 

[sandybeach]

i really like the extra TH i get from the VN. its the first/only top coil design ive used and im actually even enjoying juices in my arsenal that were previously just scraping by in terms of TH. i could previously barely vape them, but now this tank has given those juices a new life.

i believe that the dry/scratchy/"stuff" feeling your getting is from the VN top coil design.

"one (wo)man's trash is another mans treasure".

---------

also, i am a tad weary of cotton wicks. i am intrigued by the superior wicking ability, but put off by the supposed noxious chemical that is expelled if the wick does dry. so if thats a concern for you, SS may be the way to go perhaps.

-------------



do you perhaps have a photo of this? sounds mighty interesting.

Hey Kemo!!! Long tome no see. I don't get a dry scratchy feeling, I just get phleghm (sorry to be so graphic).

There is a thread written by a Russian guy that did a lot of research on wicks. The silica wicks apparently give off little slivers of silica. He did a lot of testing, but granted, this is only one person's research. I can find the link if you want.

Noxious chemical? I didn't hear about that.

 

[sandybeach]

Just made up a cotton wick.

<---- Avi

So... 1st report for me: It wicks well. Made from boiled butcher's 100% cotton twine. Unraveled and made into a wick on my V.N. 2.5. It is a new coil though... so IDK if it's the new coil or the cotton that's making it...less scratchy. But it's less scratchy IMO. No burning yet after about 1/2 tank.

What did you use for the coil, or did you use one from a new head? Glad to hear so far so good. I have some Vivi Nova 3's and I can't tell the difference -- they vape just like the 2.5's.

*wonders how long it's gonna take until Classy pulls this out of the General forum and put it on the wicker's forum if there is one"

 

[AttyPops]

Wicker's. lol.

Word of the day...Wicker's. We're "Wickers". lol I like that (I think).

OK. Just teasing. There is a VN forum.

Anyway, yeah... I used the VN coil and just replaced the silica wick with cotton. Also used a magnifying glass and a lot of patience. There's video on youtube and more info in the VN section (tanks section?).