So here is a quick rundown of my story. Almost 2 years ago, I got the Riva-510 and used it with a blue foam mod and absolutely loved it, with the exception of the occasional leak here and there. Went for almost a year with strictly vapes. Then life happened and got back on analogs and about a month ago I got back into vaping. I have some parts here and there for the Riva-510 but I was like you know what let me try a new kit. So it came with a clearomizer and for like the first few days it worked well, but then taste started to dry out, and I messed with varying liquid levels. Then I noticed it started to leak a whole lot more than my blue foam mod ever did, and the taste was subpar. Switched to a brand new clearomizer and at first it was cool, but after a few days same results. I think I'm done with them and wanted to go back to a blue foam mod, but after reading up on here I think a tank system maybe best for me.
So my question for the experienced out there is can anyone give me a pro/con about going with a tank system, how are they exactly used and any stores that you would recommend. I prefer 510's like I said I have a bunch of batteries for them and chargers etc. I appreciate the help!
Hey there OP, i also just got back into vaping after a year on analogs. Back in the day, I used to LOVE the fish-tank-filter-cartridge mod for the 510! they worked well for what they were, but these days they're considered antique technology. However, when I was just about at the end of my first two years of vaping, I found the CE3's (first-gen) Smokymizers, and they're now being discontinued, so I stocked up big-time on them. I had such good luck with them that to this day, I use them when I'm doing any kind of exercise or strenuous activity- they NEVER have failed on me while out and about. Even so, I would also NEVER recommend them to anyone, because they are prone to leakage if you don't know their quirks (mine don't leak, but there was a long learning curve to get to that point).
The newer clearo's are apparently even better (at least some of them are, anyway), but my new favorite systems are both tank-based. I use the Smoktech DCT's with 3-ohm dual coil cartos, and I mod an air hole and screw into the side of each of them to help with filling and to get rid of the "vacuum effect" (which happens when the juice level in the tank drops, and the negative pressure prevents juice flow into the carto). The DCT tanks themselves are a bit frail for me- I'm rough on gear, and there are multiple weak points where the tanks can come apart. Also, the cartomizers require almost 80 drops to prime them fully-but it's worth it, because if you don't prime them, the tiny hole in the side of them won't wick the juice in correctly. I've never had a problem in during normal use- even VG liquid seems to work just fine, even with the small hole.
My other favorite as of right now is the Vivi Nova Mini. It's a carto-less tank, with a replaceable/rebuildable atty assembly inside. They are very easy to rebuild. However, mine has had an issue with "burning atty" taste when I take it above 3.1v on my VV mod, and I needed to remove a piece from inside of the atty head assembly to make that go away. So, even though it is now an extremely reliable, dependable unit, its original design was flawed and needed modification to work correctly, and I would only recommend it if you are ok with doing the mod as soon as you get it- because chances are, you may run into the same issue in time.
So overall, my experience with tanks has been good- but they have multiple parts than can literally fall apart, and require more maintenance, time, and fiddling to work correctly over time. For simplicity, I'll still keep my old-school clearos (that are disliked by many) around, just because they're fool-proof from the beginning if you get to know them for awhile.
