To tank or not to tank? What's your setup?

[GeorgeIIII]

I got a surprising amount of responses to my first thread here on the forum. I learned a lot about vaping in general, now I'm starting to hone my focus a bit.

My question is this: which kind of storage do you prefer? Tank? Carto? Atomizer? More importantly, WHY? I'm looking for pro's and con's here, because I have some major buying decisions to make soon, and I'm on a very limited budget.

My current setup is a Kanger Pro-Tank II on top of an Itaste MVP II battery. I'm running 2.5 ohm coils (experimenting with 1.8), and 100% VG mixture on the juice.

I'm not looking for cloud at this point. I'll be switching my mixture again soon to recoup a bit of the flavor that I've lost. What I'm really thinking about, is going to a carto-tank combo, but I'm not so sure if this is really the way to go. I'm not so sure about atomizers either, although I'm reconsidering them for the purely for the sake of sampling flavors. I like the tanks for the fact that you can store enough to get you through at least a good part of the day when you're out and about. I also drive a school bus, so I can only vape in between routes. Since there aren't a lot of places for me to pull over, the tank system works out for me simply because I can pull the current setup outta my pocket, take a few pulls and quickly hide it again.

That said, I'm not always on a school bus, and so I'm reconsidering my options. I'm open to RBA's but bear in mind that I'm still very much a noob and not mechanically inclined. I have big hands, and investing in a mass of tools just to rebuild a coil that's no bigger than my fingernail is not something I can do right now.

I like my current setup. But I'm looking to get into the big kid stuff within another year or two. As said, I don't have much money to spend, and I'm finding that the juices don't seem to last as long as they used to.

If you run dual or multi-coil setup, by all means chime in. I'm curious about those as well. If you feel like the battery is playing the more important role in your setup, please tell me why you feel that way.

I realize that these topics have likely already been covered in other threads. I am researching other threads as well. But I feel like I learn more when people tell me the how and why of things. Their reasoning helps me to form a logical connection which helps me absorb the information better.

Just FYI, I don't do metal drip tips. I prefer plastic as it minimizes the aftertaste. Metal just tastes funky to me. On the flip side of that, I won't do plastic tanks anymore either. Seems like the flavors get burned into the plastic after awhile (my first tank tastes like coffee all the time now). I like the glass tanks, but I also believe that the juice is losing its flavor after sitting in the tank for awhile. Could just be vaper's tongue.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to your comments, suggestions.

 

[Ladiekali]

Seriosuly it depends on your juice. I use mostly ibtank and smok carto tanks. 2.5 ohms.
But i have a few juices that i only like in my bottom coil smok tumblers at 2.5 ohms.
I have one protank 2 and so far i enjoy my juices the least in this tank.
I dont like any juices in clearomizers with the long coils ex. Vivi novas and iclears.

So i say get atleast two of a couple different types. When i first get a new juice to vape i fill one in my cartotank. One in my tumbler and sometimes even one in my protank, all the same flavor. Vape on those thru out a day or two and decide which tank tastes best for that juice.
Ex. I learned my strawberry, chocolates and menthols are better in my bottom coil. Blueberry and canteloupe im enjoying more in the cartotanks. My adv is blue moo from mtbv and i love it in a cartotank. Have it in my protank right now and cant stand it.

I have 8 smok dct tanks in large and 3 in the smaller.
I have two ibtanks forgit the size think its 15 ml standard, but i use xl cartos in it, so my carto sticks out the top. Just easy for me to unscrew since i try out different flavors thru out the day.

I use single coil standard resistance.

 

[Blkwdw86]

Can't add a whole lot, but I'll add what I can.

Big fingers aren't a bar to making good coils, nor is a wide array of tools necessary. A multimeter is required, but it's really necessary to have for general vaping no matter what you're running. The only other tool you really need is something to wrap your coil wire around to make your coil, and perhaps a magnifier if your near-vision is lacking. A member here, Darkzero, makes a coil jig that simplifies the process, there are Youtube vids that demonstrate it's beautiful simplicity. Ought to check it out.

I use Evod tanks. I have a couple of other things like Protanks, Unitanks, CE4s, and such, but mostly the Evods. When changing flavors in a tank, I clean with white vinegar. White vinegar is the world's best deodorizer hands down, not just for ejuice tanks but for everything. It really shines on carpets. Soak your tanks in a 2:1 solution of water and white vinegar, then rinse really well, you won't have carryover.

 

[el Jexican]

My all everyday vape is a Atomic RDA on a Private mech. But when I can't drip, usually only on long drives, I bring my MVP2 with a Protank 2 which I recoiled to 1.3ohms with a cotton wick.

 

[Keyser_Soze]

I am a protank guy, currently on ego battery. Next step will be a dripper. I have found that 50/50 juces can be slow in a carto, that combined with my hard drawing made cartos aggrivating

 

[GeorgeIIII]

Can't add a whole lot, but I'll add what I can.

Big fingers aren't a bar to making good coils, nor is a wide array of tools necessary. A multimeter is required, but it's really necessary to have for general vaping no matter what you're running. The only other tool you really need is something to wrap your coil wire around to make your coil, and perhaps a magnifier if your near-vision is lacking. A member here, Darkzero, makes a coil jig that simplifies the process, there are Youtube vids that demonstrate it's beautiful simplicity. Ought to check it out.

I use Evod tanks. I have a couple of other things like Protanks, Unitanks, CE4s, and such, but mostly the Evods. When changing flavors in a tank, I clean with white vinegar. White vinegar is the world's best deodorizer hands down, not just for ejuice tanks but for everything. It really shines on carpets. Soak your tanks in a 2:1 solution of water and white vinegar, then rinse really well, you won't have carryover.

The timing of your tip is ironic. We just got a huge jug of vinegar so we could do some cleaning here in the apartment. Hadn't even thought about using it for my vape stuff.

Since we're on the topic of cleaning and maintenance, what's your take on boiling the coils? Someone told me to do this, and my efforts have given mixed results.

 

[dice57]

I love rba tank systems. Why? Because they hold lots of juice and when you have the right ones, vape as well as any dripper and you don't have to drip. I prefer all Stainless Steel tanks. Because they are durable and provides a clean taste, don't have to worry about what kind of juice I use either. Don't need to see the juice, flavor of vape will tell me when it need refilling, and I know how much I vape in a given amount of time. In my current collection, I have the Russian, the Aqua, and my current favorite, the Flash-e-Vapor V2. All provide great vape, but the flashi and Aqua get the most use. Just better performers. Have a couple of other clones, but not worth mentioning, since I don't use them much. Still trying to dial one in, but is a disappointment.

Once one has grown accustomed to making coils and wicking, rba's provide a great fiddle free vape, Change out the wick, dry burn the coil, and you have a fresh start. Sure, getting to know the optimum build for each rba, and learn the tips and tricks, takes some time, but once one is proficient at it, easy peasy.

 

[GeorgeIIII]

I am a protank guy, currently on ego battery. Next step will be a dripper. I have found that 50/50 juces can be slow in a carto, that combined with my hard drawing made cartos aggrivating

I feel you on the carto's. Was what I started on with the NJoys and V2s. Don't really consider those e-cigs so much as fake-vapor stuff. But I've since seen some of the bigger cartos available, and they look a bit more robust anyway.

My biggest problem with draw is that these tips seem to be a bit too small. That inner opening down the tube is just too small for me. I've got some big lungs on me, and my tendency is to take long hard pulls. This is hard to do with my current setup, and sometimes I have to pull, hold it in while inhaling through my nose to get oxygen, then pull again to get the full puff. I guess this is the standard size though, because the tanks have about the same measurements it seems for the airflow. At least where you inhale at.

 

[GeorgeIIII]

I love rba tank systems. Why? Because they hold lots of juice and when you have the right ones, vape as well as any dripper and you don't have to drip. I prefer all Stainless Steel tanks. Because they are durable and provides a clean taste, don't have to worry about what kind of juice I use either. Don't need to see the juice, flavor of vape will tell me when it need refilling, and I know how much I vape in a given amount of time. In my current collection, I have the Russian, the Aqua, and my current favorite, the Flash-e-Vapor V2. All provide great vape, but the flashi and Aqua get the most use. Just better performers. Have a couple of other clones, but not worth mentioning, since I don't use them much. Still trying to dial one in, but is a disappointment.

Once one has grown accustomed to making coils and wicking, rba's provide a great fiddle free vape, Change out the wick, dry burn the coil, and you have a fresh start. Sure, getting to know the optimum build for each rba, and learn the tips and tricks, takes some time, but once one is proficient at it, easy peasy.

You bring up an interesting point Dice. My Itaste MVP has variable wattage and voltage, but that wasn't even the reason that I got it to begin with. Was looking for something that I knew for certain would last all day on one charge. The MVP has certainly fit that bill. But, on the other hand, I can't get a consistent vape out of it. Could be my Pro-Tank II is the culprit, but with my starter kit there was no changing the power settings at all. Just charge it, screw on the eGo tank, and start my day as usual.

Seems like since I got this MVP and Pro-Tank, I've had to do nothing but fiddle with the settings, change the coils to find the right resistance. Really, I would like something simpler. A large battery that gives me all day performance without having to change voltage and wattage everytime I change the juice flavor.

Of course, the eGo is a plastic tank. What I've found with plastic (this is especially true with food as much as vaping), is that whatever is in the tank the most tends to get melded with the plastic. The tank takes on that particular flavor permanently, and other juice flavors tend to taste funky. Now, I only use my eGo for coffee flavors, since that's what it smells and tastes like.

I have considered an all metal tank. But, I've had bad experience with metal drip tips leaving a funky aftertaste in my mouth. Do you think this would be an issue with an all metal tank? Or could I mitigate that by sticking with a plastic drip tip?

 

[NicoHolic]

Your current setup is a good glass clearomizer, the ProTank. The step up from this is a cartomizer, optionally one punched or slotted for a tank. The slotted are better for thicker juices. Many of us buy our cartomizers from SureVapes.com, where fresh stock at good prices combines with fast, free shipping on orders $10 or more. I, and many others, strongly recommend the glass IBTanked.com tanks. They are thick and rugged for glass, and relatively inexpensive, even with stainless steel end caps. Cartos and tanks are available in different lengths, including standard (35 mm) and XL (45 mm) and the tanks are available in different diameters. See the FAQ page on IBTanked for volumes of the tank portion of various sizes. Carto tanks are easy to use, especially with a tank tool, and many vapers, even vets, like them so much they never progress beyond cartos.

One advantage of these tanks is you can still use them when you get ready to move up to an RBA by choosing one of the excellent 9.2 mm diameter, carto-sized atomizers such as the Diver, the Killer, and the Sophia. IMO, the Sophia is the best vape you can get in an RBA--very close to a disposable dripping atty. Winding a coil for an RBA is pretty easy. To see for yourself, rip the thin wire out of a bag tie like those available in the produce department or on a bread bag and try wrapping it around a 1/16" drill bit. Squeeze the windings together while on the bit, then remove it and try making some wick out of cotton ball, roll, or even Q-tip ends. To simulate winding on silica wick, you can wind these wires on a doubled over shoelace. When you get your RBA, you'll be using resistance wire in place of the bag tie wire. Hope all this helps.

 

[Dakota Jim]

Hey George, thought I would chime in

Your MVP2 is a big boy toy so if it is working for you I would not replace it

RBA's are quite simple to deal with if you are willing to keep it simple and skip the dual or multi coil builds as these are mainly for cloud chasers and need special attention to batteries and builds

my personal preferred RBA is now the Kayfun lite+ due to its excellent flavor and vapor production with a 2.1 ohm cotton build - very easy to build - Tobeca clones available on ebay for about $40.00

Kanger does have a new tank coming out very soon called the Aerotank - it is basically a dual coil Protank3 with airflow control built into it. It appears to have an MSRP of about $30

In regards to eliquid consumption I started DIY about 2 months in and now have a monthly cost of about $6.50 to vape about 200ml. Initial startup cost was $100 to $150 for all of the supplies needed as in bottles, syringes, flavors, pg, vg, and nic base. Computer programs that compute all your percentages make it even simpler - read through the DIY forums stickies for important info

 

[dice57]

You bring up an interesting point Dice. My Itaste MVP has variable wattage and voltage, but that wasn't even the reason that I got it to begin with. Was looking for something that I knew for certain would last all day on one charge. The MVP has certainly fit that bill. But, on the other hand, I can't get a consistent vape out of it. Could be my Pro-Tank II is the culprit, but with my starter kit there was no changing the power settings at all. Just charge it, screw on the eGo tank, and start my day as usual.

Seems like since I got this MVP and Pro-Tank, I've had to do nothing but fiddle with the settings, change the coils to find the right resistance. Really, I would like something simpler. A large battery that gives me all day performance without having to change voltage and wattage everytime I change the juice flavor.

Of course, the eGo is a plastic tank. What I've found with plastic (this is especially true with food as much as vaping), is that whatever is in the tank the most tends to get melded with the plastic. The tank takes on that particular flavor permanently, and other juice flavors tend to taste funky. Now, I only use my eGo for coffee flavors, since that's what it smells and tastes like.

I have considered an all metal tank. But, I've had bad experience with metal drip tips leaving a funky aftertaste in my mouth. Do you think this would be an issue with an all metal tank? Or could I mitigate that by sticking with a plastic drip tip?

I haven't noticed any after taste from metal tips or tanks. I do always wash out any new tank and tip I get, sometimes they have metal shavings or machine oil on them so it's always good to wash them out well. Been thinking of getting some titanium drip tips to try. Being that my tanks are usually surgical grade stainless steel, no flavor can be transferred from the metal. I find they give a great crisp clean flavor. I do vape them at 15 watts and .5 ohm on the Aqua straight mechanical which puts it in the low 30 watts zone.

Agree with the plastic thing though. I get shudders just thinking of vaping on an cheap plastic clearo again. I like what I have and am so glad I invested the time and money to vape at the level I am at. I am not so much of a cloud chaser as an ultimate vape satisfaction chaser. It just a coincidence that clouds of vapor often form when I vape.

 

[GeorgeIIII]

Hey George, thought I would chime in

Your MVP2 is a big boy toy so if it is working for you I would not replace it

RBA's are quite simple to deal with if you are willing to keep it simple and skip the dual or multi coil builds as these are mainly for cloud chasers and need special attention to batteries and builds

my personal preferred RBA is now the Kayfun lite+ due to its excellent flavor and vapor production with a 2.1 ohm cotton build - very easy to build - Tobeca clones available on ebay for about $40.00

Kanger does have a new tank coming out very soon called the Aerotank - it is basically a dual coil Protank3 with airflow control built into it. It appears to have an MSRP of about $30

In regards to eliquid consumption I started DIY about 2 months in and now have a monthly cost of about $6.50 to vape about 200ml. Initial startup cost was $100 to $150 for all of the supplies needed as in bottles, syringes, flavors, pg, vg, and nic base. Computer programs that compute all your percentages make it even simpler - read through the DIY forums stickies for important info

If I do nothing else, I am definitely looking into getting into DIY juices. I've always had a leaning towards experimenting with food, and juices aren't much different in regards to measuring and even some of the basic ingredients. Is actually one reason I'm looking into an atomizer, or at least a much smaller tank in the future.

RBA's I'm still a bit iffy on. And since everyone's telling me my MVP II is so good, I may just stick with it. Was considering the Innokin VTR simply because it looks like the battery would be easier to replace. On the other hand, I'm not opposed to taking off a few screws on my MVP if the battery is replaceable on it as well. In any case, I shouldn't have to worry about that part of it for awhile.

One problem that I seem to be having with the Pro-Tank, is that no matter what my ohms are, the juices can start to taste burt after the tank's been sitting around for awhile. Ironically, if I vape steadily, I don't get this problem. Only occurs after I've put it down for awhile. I've tried storing it upright versus laying on its side, but doesn't seem to have an effect. Any thoughts on that?

 

[MiamiMom63]

I think everyone should try everything before they know for sure what they prefer. For me the Protank and bottom coil clearos diminished my flavor and I prefer a warmer vape. The cartos also seemed to filter out my flavor somewhat. I felt like by the time the vapor ran through the filler, I was getting minimal flavor and vapor. I know some love them though. I then dripped alot on a regular atomizer and loved it immediately. I had a spell of using the Vivi Novas and rebuilding them but did not like the way it would cook my juice and change the flavor. Which brought me to the rebuildable dripping atomizers, and my current use of the Cyclone AFC (air flow control). I have been loving it so much that I bought a second one. I did try the gennies but had no luck with them. I would prefer the convenience of a tank, but then again I sort of like being able to switch around in flavors plus I just love the straight-forward throat hit and flavor I get from the RDA's. But I still think everyone should enjoy and try different things because we all like different

 

[PoeDung]

My main setup is an iTaste MPV 2 with boge xxl cartomizers from mtbakervapor. I switched to the cartomizers from the clearomizers because the clearomizers flooded in the cold. These cartos hold 1.4ml of juice and I fill up 3 of them if I know I'm going to be out for a full day. I'm also looking into a carto-tank setup for when I'm out in the cold.

I haven't had any issues with the cartos flooding since I switched, easy to fill, surprisingly great taste and vapor. They just look weird in the MPV 2.

I also just ordered my first rda, the igo-w, to see how that stands up in the cold.

I live in MN and in my city they are treating ecigs like analogs and can't vape inside, so my ordering comes from the mind set of being outside and vaping in the cold.

 

[GeorgeIIII]

I think everyone should try everything before they know for sure what they prefer. For me the Protank and bottom coil clearos diminished my flavor and I prefer a warmer vape. The cartos also seemed to filter out my flavor somewhat. I felt like by the time the vapor ran through the filler, I was getting minimal flavor and vapor. I know some love them though. I then dripped alot on a regular atomizer and loved it immediately. I had a spell of using the Vivi Novas and rebuilding them but did not like the way it would cook my juice and change the flavor. Which brought me to the rebuildable dripping atomizers, and my current use of the Cyclone AFC (air flow control). I have been loving it so much that I bought a second one. I did try the gennies but had no luck with them. I would prefer the convenience of a tank, but then again I sort of like being able to switch around in flavors plus I just love the straight-forward throat hit and flavor I get from the RDA's. But I still think everyone should enjoy and try different things because we all like different

See, I started out with the cartomizers, like the kind found on V2's (was my mainstay for a short while). I didn't like how the flavors got so funkified after sitting around for awhile. V2 went through all these extra steps to try and keep it fresh, too. Vacuum sealed foil with rubber tips on either end (those were a pain to try and pry off).

I've been a tank guy since I got into the ejuices, and I prefer them only for the fact that they hold so much fluid. There are drawback to this as well, but the flavors are certainly better IMO. Even so, I do agree with you. The vape has to travel before it hits your mouth. It does seem to have an effect. The wicks I'm told play a large part in this as well.

I've thought about carto-tanks. Some people are swearing by them. But, as you've said, this brings a certain disadvantage. Now I'm waiting for the juice to get through the polyfill, which takes even longer than going through the coil at the bottom of a tank. But, I can't seem to bring myself into getting an atomizer. I don't want to have to sit there and drip, drip, drip on top of an open space like that. So, I'm stuck with the disadvantages of a tank for now.

 

[GeorgeIIII]

My main setup is an iTaste MPV 2 with boge xxl cartomizers from mtbakervapor. I switched to the cartomizers from the clearomizers because the clearomizers flooded in the cold. These cartos hold 1.4ml of juice and I fill up 3 of them if I know I'm going to be out for a full day. I'm also looking into a carto-tank setup for when I'm out in the cold.

I haven't had any issues with the cartos flooding since I switched, easy to fill, surprisingly great taste and vapor. They just look weird in the MPV 2.

I also just ordered my first rda, the igo-w, to see how that stands up in the cold.

I live in MN and in my city they are treating ecigs like analogs and can't vape inside, so my ordering comes from the mind set of being outside and vaping in the cold.

Have noticed cold being an issue with tanks as well. I don't have regular heat in my apt until landlord fixes the heat pump, so I have to run the oven when I get cold. That means my stuff's being stored cold, so my first hits in the morning are pretty rough right now.

I, too have been thinking about the carto-tanks. Although I'm not a fan of carto's, I've heard that this combination can produce better results than using a tank or a clearo on their own. Please let me know how this turns out for you. I'm really curious, and thinking about making the investment myself.

 

[Jazzi Mike]

Personally, I am fond of my Reo Grand. It has a juice bottle inside, but then delivers it to the atomizer, so it is like dripping all the time. With only being able to take a few hits every now and again on the bus, dripping will give you more flavor, vapor, and nicotine. The Reo is a bit steep, but in the end, you will spend less money on upkeep and new devices.

 

[edyle]

Have noticed cold being an issue with tanks as well. I don't have regular heat in my apt until landlord fixes the heat pump, so I have to run the oven when I get cold. That means my stuff's being stored cold, so my first hits in the morning are pretty rough right now.

I, too have been thinking about the carto-tanks. Although I'm not a fan of carto's, I've heard that this combination can produce better results than using a tank or a clearo on their own. Please let me know how this turns out for you. I'm really curious, and thinking about making the investment myself.

If you are already accustomed to using cartos, a cartotank is just a simple tank that will slide over the carto. It is not a complicated device.

 

[Gaztec]

If you're a carto user, get a carto tank. SO much less hassle than refilling, but they can be a pain if pressure gets out of whack and starts causing floods.

The AGR+ pyrex glass tank is excellent (and cheap), mainly due to the locking ring at the bottom so you can be sure nobody will accidentally pull the tank straight off the carto and dump juice everywhere (yes, I did that to a friend's tank once while drunk!).

Unfortunately, it can also be prone to flooding -- but when it's working good, it's GREAT.

Looking out for a S&P Tank next, I think.