What to use dark juice in? and Very best tank?

[flarg]

One of my favorite juices is chocolate mint. 18mg nic, Kal Stevia sweetener, and high caffeine. 20%PG/80%VG. From Better Vapes.

What device is best for vaping this thick, dark juice? And does the sweetener and caffeine influence viscosity?

And with my other similar thick but lighter colored juices, I always seem to gunk up coils, discolor/burn? the wicks, or scorch carto fillings in tanks. I always try and keep things well-filled and wet. But perhaps I should be emptying out and cleaning more frequently? End even my best attempts at cleaning sometimes still leave the coil and wick yucky-looking and vapor production and flavor suffers.

Are the really pricey tanks and such more durable and easier to use? I'm talkin' tanks in the $20-$50+ range?

I vape high VG juices, and my flavors are usually fruit and/or bakery flavors. I first thought the metal tubes were just mainly for aesthetics, but perhaps they'd be better suited for my type of juices? I like being able to see my juice though. Other metal tanks with a window just seem to be the regular tank with a sleeve on it.

Does there exist a tank delivery system that basically lasts forever and doesn't need cleaning? Or does this enter the mod realm with those boxy mods with the container of juice hidden inside of 'em? Or is this just a lazy person's fantasy?

Thanks!

 

[Baditude]

A "tank" is really only a vehicle and storage area for the heating coils before they can heat the juice, be it a cartomizer or wick strings. I believe there are materials that are better suited to do that. I prefer pyrex over everything else. (I'll abstain from commenting on stainless steel tubes, as I don't own any, I prefer to see my juice.) Glass is the most inert material to use with e-juice. Polypropylene comes in as a runner up, it's still a plastic (and safe for those juices that crack/melt plastic) and is always frosted. Polycarbonate should be discontinued, in my personal opinion.

I believe the choice of endcaps that are used is one of aesthetics, be they metal, acrylic, or delrin. As long all parts fit, the tank doesn't leak, and the o-rings fit snug enough that the tank doesn't easily slide off of the cartomizer, it can be considered to have done its job.
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The questions you are asking actually have to do with the materials used to deliver the juice to the heating coils. With both cartos and string-wicked atomizer heads, the issue is with juice delivery, specifically the thicker juices. The current materials just have a hard time absorbing or delivering enough juice fast enough to the heating coils.

That's the problem. Unfortunately, I don't have an easy answer. I do believe that the next major breakthrough in vaping will be devices and materials that can solve this problem. It could be that the new RBA (ReBuildable Atomizer)'s will be the answer. Time will see.
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So, does there exist a tank delivery system that basically lasts forever and doesn't need cleaning? You know the answer to that without even asking.

Are the more expensive tanks any more durable than the cheaper ones? Probably not, although Phiniacs have developed a well-deserved reputation for being extremely durable. Many of the tanks in the $40-70 range often use better materials for their parts or specialized artwork (titanium or surgical grade stainless steel, hand-turned-and-polished acrylic, hand-blown pyrex, color sandblasting), and less cheap plastic. Anything that requires more than a machine cutting a piece of plastic and utilizes any by-hand manpower is going to cost more.

I'm fortunate in that I can occassionally splurge on myself. I have what amounts to be a $100 tank in the pics below, and its not anywhere near the price of some tanks like the RBA's that can run +$125. Is it a better tank than some that I paid $25 for? Probably not, but it is a one-of-a-kind piece of functional hardware/piece-of-art that I am extremely fond of.

View attachment 142128View attachment 142129

 

[flarg]

Baditude, that was one of the most amazing, most thorough responses I have ever gotten on anything, and I am very grateful for all the info and clarifications. Thanks for humoring me with some of my silly questions, too.

That setup you have there is beautiful. What type of cartomizer do you use in it?

Now some tank/atomizer setups seem to not have any wicks or fiber-filling. Like the Kanger T3s, or the clearomizers that came with my iTaste. These "things" (technically they all seem like they'd be cartomizers, right?) seem like they'd be the best choice for vaping, since it eliminates wicking and whatnot. And with no wicks or fiber to gunk up or singe, they'd last longer, maybe? How would they quit working?

For example:
The Kanger T3 bottom coil clearomizer:

http://www.vaporbeast.com/product_p/t3.htm

Or the Tidy Clearomizer, that comes in the iTaste kit:

5pc Innokin 808 Tidy Bottom Coil Clearomizer [C-C1 808 Tidy] - $8.50 : Healthcabin Electronic Cigarettes - Wholesale and Retail
And here's a news article about it!
Top Buy Launches Tidy 10 V2 Clearomizer - Yahoo! News

 

[speedemon]

I have came to the conclusion that there are juices i can run threw any of my carto tanks and they will last on and on same goes with my rebuildabules.Then there are some that no matter what i put the juice in longjevity is not gonna happen.TV Caremel popcorn a favorite of mine for over 2 years now but i can assure you that your carto or atty will take a woopen from it why don't know?Will i stop using it know way love it!

 

[Baditude]

That setup you have there is beautiful. What type of cartomizer do you use in it?

Thank you. Check out this link: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/members/baditude-albums-pictures-my-setup.html

I use the Smoktek's in this link: Single Coil XL Tank Cartomizer for the SmokTank XL
I prefer the single coil cartos. They are less drain on your battery, provide me with just as much vapor and flavor as the dual coils did, and don't give me that occassional burnt or scorched taste that I got with the dual coils. I like pre-drilled holes. When I self-punched my own cartos, they would become out-of-round or distorted in shape making it difficult to pass thru the endcaps.

The pre-punched cartos work fine for me. I use a single hole for the regular 50/50 pg/vg mixes, and the double hole for anything with a higher vg ratio. I use 2 ohm for my 3.7v mods, and 3 ohm for my variable voltage Provari.

Now some tank/atomizer setups seem to not have any wicks or fiber-filling. Like the Kanger T3s, or the clearomizers that came with my iTaste. These "things" (technically they all seem like they'd be cartomizers, right?) seem like they'd be the best choice for vaping, since it eliminates wicking and whatnot. And with no wicks or fiber to gunk up or singe, they'd last longer, maybe? How would they quit working?

To be perfectly honest, I don't know. I've not owned anything like those devices. I think like you, these theoretically should be the perfect design for juice delivery to the atomizer, but somehow I think there's sum tang wong. Perhaps the atomizer, being in constant contact with juice, gets scorched or flooded or whatever.

 

[Aoi~]

Baditude, that was one of the most amazing, most thorough responses I have ever gotten on anything, and I am very grateful for all the info and clarifications. Thanks for humoring me with some of my silly questions, too.
View attachment 142160
That setup you have there is beautiful. What type of cartomizer do you use in it?

Now some tank/atomizer setups seem to not have any wicks or fiber-filling. Like the Kanger T3s, or the clearomizers that came with my iTaste. These "things" (technically they all seem like they'd be cartomizers, right?) seem like they'd be the best choice for vaping, since it eliminates wicking and whatnot. And with no wicks or fiber to gunk up or singe, they'd last longer, maybe? How would they quit working?

For example:
The Kanger T3 bottom coil clearomizer:

http://www.vaporbeast.com/product_p/t3.htm

Or the Tidy Clearomizer, that comes in the iTaste kit:

5pc Innokin 808 Tidy Bottom Coil Clearomizer [C-C1 808 Tidy] - $8.50 : Healthcabin Electronic Cigarettes - Wholesale and Retail
And here's a news article about it!
Top Buy Launches Tidy 10 V2 Clearomizer - Yahoo! News

There's gotta be some sort of delivery system to get the liquid to the wick. In the kanger picture, if you look real close, there's a couple really short wicks by the top silicone stopper(?). Just not openly visible. Same thing with the tidy clearomizer. As far as I understand, these are basically disposable. I personally don't like disposable stuff, hence my move towards rebuildable. That's a reason why I like the Vivi Novas, they're easily rebuildable over these kangers.

Coils will, in my experience, deteriorate over time. It's just how it is. It cycles between extreme temperatures when we press that button, and when we let go. If you want a wick that'd hardly go bad regardless of juice, my choice would be stainless steel mesh. It lasts a good amount of time (weeks in the ones I use), and I pop (break) my coils more often than I've had to replace these stainless mesh wicks.

Look into genesis style atomizers if you worry about if certain juice will wick or not. The genesis atomizers do come with a somewhat steep learning curve to get working properly, but once you get it, it'll just be second nature. At the very least, you can learn how to rebuild the easy ones such as vivi novas, so that you're not dependent on some website's stock level or what have you.

That said, I do keep a few glass tanks and some cartos around. Sometimes, I just want to press button and inhale, or be able to just lay my tank on its side.

 

[martinc]

In my opinion (and I like going asgainst the flow):

A rebuildable tank with silica wick (not talking vivi nova here).

You can clean it with hot water then dry burn it at the end of the day (or whenever it stops producing decent vapor and flavor).

That stuff in cartos...you are looking at an enormous amount of $$ in spent cartos and headaches.

 

[flarg]

Ok, guess I might venture into the world of the Cool Kids Vaping Club with their rebuildable atomizers and wires and wicks and whatnot...cuz I like low maintenance and long lasting, which is what rebuildables seem like to me. Granted I say "low maintenance" and I know it takes some effort to rebuild and whatnot, but as it is I spend forever and a day cleaning my other things and drying and waiting and then maybe have to do it all over again and then realize I've just crapped it out and blah blah blah.

So these rebuildable atomizers, they're not just for dripping, right? You can get/make tank ones, too? What are the supplies and tools I'd need? Where are cheap places to get this stuff? I saw once posted about a cheap torch from Harbor Freight. Why can't I just hold stuff over a candle?

Some say stainless steel mesh, bulldog there says silicon wicks. If I don't go the stainless steel mesh route, then I don't need a little torch, right?

I think I have a bunch of old candle wicks from my candle making days. Though some say those will easily burn? I saw a YouTube video where he uses candle wicks I think and he commented about that. Guess they're worth a try since I already have them, with at least rebuilding the ViVi Nova. But first I need wire.

I have a bunch of wire, but I don't know what kind it is. Some I have is really thin and I used it for jewelry making and stringing tiny beads. It's shiny. Maybe it's best to buy new wire that I know the metal content? Why isn't copper wire used? Is it because it will react with the liquids?

With rebuildable atomizers, be they ViVi Novas or Genesis or whatever, is the only thing that gets rebuilt the coil and wick? In the ViVi Nova, does that metal base part of the atomizer/air tube last essentially forever?

And Baditude mentioned about sometimes just liking to press a button and go or lay a tank on its side...can I not do that with these rebuildables? Must they always stay upright?

To the patient and kind, thanks for entertaining my questions.

 

[Baditude]

I'm just starting to investigate the rebuildable atomizers. I'm thinking they may hold the key to the future of juice delivery devices. It still looks a little complicated and too fiddly to me, and the best ones seem to be quite expensive ($150), but I'm watching and learning on the sideline for these.

The best video demo demonstation I've seen yet on one of the high end devices is in the below video, the Zen Atty Pro (ZAP) sold by ProVape. The video is done by Zen himself and he is a good teacher with nice close-up camera angles. I learned a lot from this video.