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What is your experience in terms of tank lifespan?

Badfrog

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One problem I keep coming across is vapor/vacuum lock. I have yet to use a tank continuously and have it go past 2 months without getting the vacuum lock issue. This has happened on 4 different tank models and in a couple cases it happened on multiple tanks of the same model. It's always the same, I try a tank, love it, use it a bunch and then within 2-8 weeks it will start dry hitting (even with fresh coils) and it gets to were I have to loosen the cap after every two vapes (and of course 5-8 air bubbles will come rolling out of the wicking slots).

It's worth noting that I generally run the wattage about half way between the low/high recommended wattage of the manufacturer (so I'm not abusing the coils). Also, I'm using either a 70 or 80 vg juice. The tank/coils will work great for several weeks and then the problem comes along and it doesn't go away. Either I'm doing something terribly wrong or I just have really bad luck.

I'd love to know how long some of you folks have gotten your tanks to last. When you're done with it, what is it that made you believe the tank was done?

The one thing I have yet to do is replace any of the seals on my top caps. Perhaps that will work and bring the tank back to like new performance. However, you generally only get one replacement and it would seem like that's bound to fail just like the original seal and I'm still going to be lucky to get the tank to last 3-4 months. Just gets frustrating rolling thru tanks so often. Apologies for the long post.
 

Countrypami

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Does this seem to occur right after you've changed the coil?
Which tanks are you using?
 

Badfrog

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Does this seem to occur right after you've changed the coil?
Which tanks are you using?

I've had it happen with multiple Cleito and Cleito 120 tanks (those are history), I've got a Wotofo Flow right now that started the problem about 12 days ago. It happened on a coil that was 2 days old. The problem has continued with the last 3 coils (they came out of separate packs) I've put in it. I have to keep the cap somewhat loose and watch how much I vape it. Lastly, I'm starting to see the problem on the Vaporesso Estoc Mega tanks. I put a new coil in a tank Monday night, it vaped wonderfully and then all of the sudden, the wicking problem started up this morning. I have another Estoc tank that kind of limps along. I have to keep a watchful eye on the wicking with that tank.

Once the problem starts, it's there to stay. As mentioned, I've never replaced a seal so perhaps that's the problem. Also, the tanks will work great out of the gate. I'll go anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months happy as can be and then the problem will start and won't go away.
 

Angrygod50

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I have some tanks that are 2+ years old that still work fine. I don't use them every day but when I do ...no problems. I've also never replaced a seal in any of them. Aspire Atlantes, Freemax Starr and a few Kanger tanks. I mostly use RDA's and RTA's now but every so often I brake one out for a blast from the past I'll use it for a few days then put it aside. I also have a Melo 3 and an Aspire EVO that I use often with no problems and my Baby Beast tanks get used everyday with no problems.
 

Countrypami

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I don't have any experience with these particular tanks. However, I can tell you that once you've burnt the cotton that taste never goes away.
Also, be sure you are getting your coils from a reliable vendor that does not sell clones.
Another issue could be that you are running the wattage too hot or chain vaping. Not all coils can actually run as high as the manufacturer says they can. And chain vaping on some tanks could certainly cause dry hits.

As far as tanks "expiring" .. if it's stainless/glass they don't. I have Subtank Mini's and Triton's I've been using for almost 3 years now. Just an occasional cleaning and o-ring change does the trick.
 

Badfrog

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I don't have any experience with these particular tanks. However, I can tell you that once you've burnt the cotton that taste never goes away.
Also, be sure you are getting your coils from a reliable vendor that does not sell clones.
Another issue could be that you are running the wattage too hot or chain vaping. Not all coils can actually run as high as the manufacturer says they can. And chain vaping on some tanks could certainly cause dry hits.

As far as tanks "expiring" .. if it's stainless/glass they don't. I have Subtank Mini's and Triton's I've been using for almost 3 years now. Just an occasional cleaning and o-ring change does the trick.

I don't think that I chain vape but then some folks might observe me and say that I do and others might say that it looks pretty typical. The Vaporesso coils say 30-50 watts and I keep it at 36-40 watts. The Flow coils say 60 is the top range and I keep it at 46-48 watts. The Flow tank is to the point to where I can vape it twice and then I either need to loosen the cap or let it sit for 15-20 minutes. The Estoc tanks aren't as bad and it looks like the one tank has made a comeback since this morning.

Yeah, I've burnt a few coils and definitely know when they are done. I would hope that I'm not getting cloned coils but I'm sure that is possible. I have noticed that some Vaporesso packs are slightly different than others. The tanks are still usable (the Cleito tanks got so bad there was no point in continuing on with them) but it just seems like for the first couple weeks I was able to vape carefree and then after that time period passes, I have to keep an eye on them.
 

Badfrog

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I have some tanks that are 2+ years old that still work fine. I don't use them every day but when I do ...no problems. I've also never replaced a seal in any of them. Aspire Atlantes, Freemax Starr and a few Kanger tanks. I mostly use RDA's and RTA's now but every so often I brake one out for a blast from the past I'll use it for a few days then put it aside. I also have a Melo 3 and an Aspire EVO that I use often with no problems and my Baby Beast tanks get used everyday with no problems.

I dream of the day I can get my RTA tanks going properly. I got my Wotofo Serpent SMM close to working well a time or two but it seems like such a fine line between slow wicking/dry hits and good wicking/leaking when I go to refill. Pisses me off to see RIP Trippers claim that the wicking is easy on the SMM and he claims to just run the cotton thru the coils and just shoves the ends into the wicking holes. Then he turns around, chain vapes and claims he doesn't get dry hits. Just bologna but that's a whole other can of worms. I'm not going to be able to figure out an RTA until I actually get next to an expert and have them watch and critique me in person. And believe me I've watched a ton of videos.
 

Angrygod50

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I have two SMM RTA's and love them. Fluff up and cut the ends of the wick on a bit of a taper before you push them through the holes.
 

zephyr

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How long are your puffs?

You might try shorter puffs, or a harder inhale, with less airflow open, or both together to force more wicking pressure

I used to use a sharp knife to cut slits in all the wicking ports when I used tanks and high VG (your liquid is high VG)

And I highly suggest a new RTA such as the Ijoy Exo (not the X or whatever, just plain Exo), it has the most forgiving wicking style I have ever used.
I have never been Able to get dry hits on mine, in fact it is more prone to spitting due to not enough wicking, but when that happens I can close the juice flow control quite a bit to slow down wicking.

It's also cheap AF.
 

zephyr

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I just cleaned my coils so I took pictures to show how easy wicking is

IMG_20171129_134442854_HDR-658x877.jpg
Shows how thin the cotton is (coil is 3mm inner diameter)

IMG_20171129_134546498_HDR~2-658x667.jpg
How long my wick is

IMG_20171129_134627316_HDR~2-658x639.jpg
Tucked in to one side...gonna show you why I love wicking this rta in next picture

IMG_20171129_134717207_HDR~2-658x954.jpg
This other side has no metal separating these two wicking ports, so you can literally squish you cotton in any way around and still make room for juice to come in and air to escape the wick holes!

IMG_20171129_135056701_HDR~2.jpg
Forgiving RTA, I could have stuffed way more cotton in there and still have easy wicking for my 85% VG or higher liquid.
 

AndriaD

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I have some tanks that are 2+ years old that still work fine. I don't use them every day but when I do ...no problems. I've also never replaced a seal in any of them. Aspire Atlantes, Freemax Starr and a few Kanger tanks. I mostly use RDA's and RTA's now but every so often I brake one out for a blast from the past I'll use it for a few days then put it aside. I also have a Melo 3 and an Aspire EVO that I use often with no problems and my Baby Beast tanks get used everyday with no problems.

The main tanks I've used are the Kayfun Lite Plus... and those are apparently indestructible; they can be boiled, the o-rings can be replaced ad infinitum if they get worn, the insulator under the build deck can be replaced... they're simply brilliantly designed. I know the KFL+ is rather "old tech", but for MtL vapers, they are still one of the very best possible choices -- especially a true authentic, or a Tobeco clone if you don't have a trust fund. :)

Andria
 

Angrygod50

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I know the KFL+ is rather "old tech",
Nothing wrong with old tech. I have 5 magma RDA's in use every day. I'm a restricted lung hitter so I drilled them out for better air flow and there some of my favorite flavor devices. A local B&M was dumping them for 10 bucks, I bought one drilled it out and went back and bought the rest they had. Old tech on DNA, SXmini and Voopoo mods doing TC and loving it. Not big clouds but good flavor.

EDIT: I'm using one right now on a DNA 75.
 

AndriaD

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Nothing wrong with old tech. I have 5 magma RDA's in use every day. I'm a restricted lung hitter so I drilled them out for better air flow and there some of my favorite flavor devices. A local B&M was dumping them for 10 bucks, I bought one drilled it out and went back and bought the rest they had. Old tech on DNA, SXmini and Voopoo mods doing TC and loving it. Not big clouds but good flavor.

EDIT: I'm using one right now on a DNA 75.

I like Magmas too, though I modified mine in the opposite direction -- I put 13ga blunt needles down the deck airholes and cut them off with a dremel, and I'm considering how to crimp the one on the off-side (I never use dual coils) to make it just that lil bit tighter. They're just on the edge of tolerably tight to me; I modified one for squonking, and it seemed to make it a little airier, which I'm not wild about, but the flavor is still very good. At least with squonking, it eliminates about 95% of the problem with having to keep it upright at all times; since it drains back down the squonk hole, the juice doesn't remain in the well to present a flood problem if it goes somewhat out of vertical.

Andria
 

Angrygod50

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I use them as single coils also. I only drilled one side and blocked the other side. I have newer set ups but I use them several times a day. Good flavor.
 

SteveS45

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Yup. I dropped one and one got ran over by a car. The rest still work fine.

A dog knocked my tank of my Mod playing with it in the street and when I got in the truck when I went to take a pull I had no tank! Got out and saw the white splatter of my glass! Good thing the vape shop had the glass! Had to replace the tank because the chimney was bent......
 

The Cromwell

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Been using the same Kanger Subtank Mini V2 for over 2 years.
Broke the glass once otherwise no problems still going strong.
I use the RBA in it.
Never leaks on me, never dry hits.
 

AndriaD

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Been using the same Kanger Subtank Mini V2 for over 2 years.
Broke the glass once otherwise no problems still going strong.
I use the RBA in it.
Never leaks on me, never dry hits.

My son loves the STM, and thinks you are THE MAN for PIFing it to him. ;)

Andria
 

Badfrog

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Some good advice in here. I'll have to try maybe putting little cuts in the wicking slot. Also, I'm going to check out that Ijoy Exo RTA.
 

AndriaD

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Mine last until I break all the glass and they get old enough that noone carrys replacements...Moral of the story is, once you find one you like hoard parts.

Truer words were never spoken! I've probably got enough 22mm o-rings to last my lifetime. :giggle: And at one point I ordered 5 'spare parts" kits for kayfun lite plus tanks, including the insulators. :)

Andria
 

The Cromwell

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Mine last until I break all the glass and they get old enough that noone carrys replacements...Moral of the story is, once you find one you like hoard parts.
Yep. Have at least 15 spare STM replacement glasses and several of all the other parts as well.
In over 2 years have only broken 1 glass.
 

Badfrog

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I replaced the fill cap seal in the Vaporesso Estoc Mega and she's back to normal now. Their was a thread about this in the other section. The replacement seal is clearly smaller than the one that came on the tank. It leads me to believe that they knew this could be a problem and that the smaller seal may indeed work better. The flavor has picked back up and I no longer have much if any air bubbles when I loosen the top cap.

The Wotofo Flow tank is just a pain in the rear. I've replaced the two top cap seals as well as the one on the chimney were it meets the coil. I still have the same problem and am trying again with another coil. I did verify that the tank is authentic. The coil boxes don't have the sticker or scratch off and I don't know if that is normal. I've no idea if they are somehow clones or if I simply have several boxes of bad coils. If I do priming type pulls after every two vapes the flavor is great but it only lasts for about two vapes. I'm about ready to take it out back and empty a magazine of 9mm bullets on the damn thing. Just really sucks because at one time it was a great tank but that was too short lived.
 

MoFasterMo

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I bought 3 Tobecco Super tanks (black,blue and silver) when they first came out about June 2015.
After a year my wife cross threaded the top on the silver tank she had been using and moved to the blue one this has been our only problem with these tanks and it was self inflicted.
We use these tanks at 35W all day every day without replacing any seals or glass, it's been way over 2 years of drop in a coil, fill, vape, rinse and repeat.
Last week we were just discussing buying a couple more just for back ups.
The down side is my gear is now all old school, I've not bought any new gear since acquiring them, we wear out box mods faster than tanks. The upside is we have saved a butt load of money.
And I'm still vaping on the black tank as I post this !
 

The Cromwell

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I bought 3 Tobecco Super tanks (black,blue and silver) when they first came out about June 2015.
After a year my wife cross threaded the top on the silver tank she had been using and moved to the blue one this has been our only problem with these tanks and it was self inflicted.
We use these tanks at 35W all day every day without replacing any seals or glass, it's been way over 2 years of drop in a coil, fill, vape, rinse and repeat.
Last week we were just discussing buying a couple more just for back ups.
The down side is my gear is now all old school, I've not bought any new gear since acquiring them, we wear out box mods faster than tanks. The upside is we have saved a butt load of money.
And I'm still vaping on the black tank as I post this !
If you like em do not wait too long they may go discontinued....
 

Badfrog

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Well, after replacing the three main seals in the Wotofo Flow and then replacing the coil (again), the problem seems to have gone away. Still not sure if it was the coils or the seals that were the problem. So for now, I'm finally back to vaping without worries.

Since I love misery, I'm going to break out the Wotofo Serpent SMM RTA and give that a go again today. I'm going to try some different cotton and see if I can get the wicking right.
 

Just Frank

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The only time I have ever changed o-rings was just to make them a different color.

I heard you cant over-tighten Cleito tanks or they leak. So I never tighten coils too hard on any tank and have had no leaks since.

Wicking is a tricky pickle sometimes. But when you get it right and use the right material RTAs usually perform flawlessly.
 

zephyr

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Well, after replacing the three main seals in the Wotofo Flow and then replacing the coil (again), the problem seems to have gone away. Still not sure if it was the coils or the seals that were the problem. So for now, I'm finally back to vaping without worries.

Since I love misery, I'm going to break out the Wotofo Serpent SMM RTA and give that a go again today. I'm going to try some different cotton and see if I can get the wicking right.

Porno music, makes me want this RTA now. Link here for you in case you wanted a look at wicking it
 

The Cromwell

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I was actually surprised last week that they are still available.
I need 4 more and a couple boxes of Aspire Clapton coils and I'll be in vaping heaven.

I saw Tobeco Super Tanks mini's for around $15 somewhere a few days AGO....
 

MoFasterMo

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I saw Tobeco Super Tanks mini's for around $15 somewhere a few days AGO....
I've seen some deals on the Super Tank mini and the mega or 25mm what ever they call it. But the wife and I are hooked on
the original tank for its metal cap and 510 drip tip.
Still been thinking about buying a mini just so I can say I bought something new, and the prices are too good to pass up.
 

The Cromwell

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I've seen some deals on the Super Tank mini and the mega or 25mm what ever they call it. But the wife and I are hooked on
the original tank for its metal cap and 510 drip tip.
Still been thinking about buying a mini just so I can say I bought something new, and the prices are too good to pass up.

I remembered where I saw the tobeco tanks.
https://breazy.com/products/mini-super-tank-tobeco
 

Just Frank

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I bought 3 Tobecco Super tanks (black,blue and silver) when they first came out about June 2015.
After a year my wife cross threaded the top on the silver tank she had been using and moved to the blue one this has been our only problem with these tanks and it was self inflicted.
We use these tanks at 35W all day every day without replacing any seals or glass, it's been way over 2 years of drop in a coil, fill, vape, rinse and repeat.
Last week we were just discussing buying a couple more just for back ups.
The down side is my gear is now all old school, I've not bought any new gear since acquiring them, we wear out box mods faster than tanks. The upside is we have saved a butt load of money.
And I'm still vaping on the black tank as I post this !
Do these tanks take Atlantis style coils? If so what kind of coils work the best for you? I don't know much about Tobeco coils.
 

MoFasterMo

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Do these tanks take Atlantis style coils? If so what kind of coils work the best for you? I don't know much about Tobeco coils.
They do use Aspire Atlantis coils, and the wife and I both like the Aspire Triton clapton coils best.
Hold up Frank I may have lied about our favorite coils for the Super Tank.
The clapton coils are great but when I ordered coils last, I ordered a box of Vaporesso cCell Ceramic Coils as well.
These might be my new favorite coil...
Amazing flavor on these at 22W compared to claptons at 30.2W or Atlantis coils at 35W
I'm going to start a thread on using these in a Super Tank.
 
Last edited:

SkoldVape

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I have 2 cleitos, a cleito exo and a cleito 120 & have never had vapor lock issues.
I get 3 weeks out of them too.
They are my favourite pre made coil tanks but if you have vapor lock issues you should unscrew the top and you will see bubbles escape.
I hear people having to do this constantly though.

I've never had such good flavour out of a factory coil so I'm sorry to hear your issues. Also when priming the coil you must take primer pulls and then unscrew the top a few turns.
The cotton needs perforating as it is very tightly packed and doing no power pulls an releasing the top cap causes a vacuum.
This tank cannot work without a vacuum.
Also I sometimes use a sewing needle and poke holes into the cotton. The cotton behind the thin wall's doesn't always get saturated so you won't get as long our of the coils.
I an onto my 3rd week with the cleito 120 and it is still vaping flawlessly.
Don't give up on these tanks!
 

Just Frank

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I have 2 cleitos, a cleito exo and a cleito 120 & have never had vapor lock issues.
I get 3 weeks out of them too.
They are my favourite pre made coil tanks but if you have vapor lock issues you should unscrew the top and you will see bubbles escape.
I hear people having to do this constantly though.

I've never had such good flavour out of a factory coil so I'm sorry to hear your issues. Also when priming the coil you must take primer pulls and then unscrew the top a few turns.
The cotton needs perforating as it is very tightly packed and doing no power pulls an releasing the top cap causes a vacuum.
This tank cannot work without a vacuum.
Also I sometimes use a sewing needle and poke holes into the cotton. The cotton behind the thin wall's doesn't always get saturated so you won't get as long our of the coils.
I an onto my 3rd week with the cleito 120 and it is still vaping flawlessly.
Don't give up on these tanks!
I use my Exo with reg Cleito .4Ω SS316L coils. I love it. Way less if not, no spitting.
 

zephyr

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Why? That's a legit why and not sarcastic. I know very little at this point.

I think it helped thick ejuice go into the cotton more easily, made the cotton less smushed and less tight
 

SteveS45

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To poke holes with a pin or scratch the surface of the cotton to make it more porous. The Cleito coils used to have a problem with the surface of the cotton in the coils but I believe that has been corrected or addressed.
 

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