I've never poked holes in the cotton for a tank. They all have kept up with wicking. I dont do a lot of things I notice others do though. Like putting or tightening a tank together while it's screwed into a mod. I always take it off and assemble it. Putting drops of juice on a new (dry) coil head... Yeah I aint doing that. I'll just put it together and put liquid in the tank. Those coils heads are designed to absorb liquid ya know.. Jus talkin to myself lol.