Volcano Tube Tank Review
Click the link above to view this product at the manufacturer’s website or click here if you are in Europe.
Update: In January 2012, Volcano made an announcement stating that future Tube Tanks would have cartomizers with 80-percent larger holes for more reliable e-liquid feeding. In May 2012, I finally got around to purchasing one of these improved Tube Tanks. I got the 7 ml version pictured below, which has chrome-colored plastic on the caps and drip tip and is outfitted with a single-coil 3.0 ohm cartomizer. As you’ll see, I find the new version of the Tube Tank to be significantly better than the original and have adjusted my rating slightly as a result. You can still see my original Volcano Tube Tank review archived below.
The chrome trim on the updated Tube Tank looks nice, but don’t mistake it for metal.
Because I experienced so many problems when writing my original Volcano Tube Tank review, I decided to fill the new one differently to avoid wasting e-liquid if it didn’t work. I removed the cartomizer from the Tube Tank and filled it with a syringe as I would a Boge cartomizer. I placed it on my ProVari Mini and made sure that the cartomizer actually worked properly on its own before adding and filling the tank. In this new version of the Tube Tank, the tank fed e-liquid reliably through the cartomizer’s punched hole and I was able to drain the tank successfully.
In spite of the fact that the Tube Tank now works properly, I have decided to raise its score only slightly, from 1.0 to 3.125. I’m finding that although this Tube Tank actually works, it has its own set of problems that make it a bit inferior to the Boge 510 cartomizer I so love. Because the Tube Tank has a much longer cartomizer, there’s a greater distance between the heating coil and your mouth. This means that the vapor produced by the Tube Tank is much cooler and less flavorful than what I expect from the Boge cartomizer, even though the Tube Tank’s cartomizer is of the same design. In addition, the draw of the Tube Tank is extremely tight. Between the tight draw and cooler vapor, I found it very difficult to detect the menthol in my test e-liquid — Volcano’s Menthol Burst. I also found the flavor quite flat and muted.
So, Volcano has definitely improved the reliability of the Tube Tank. If you bought it now, I think you could actually expect it to work, unlike the experience I had with the first-generation Tube Tank. That being said, although the tank certainly makes it possible for a heavy e-smoker to vape more often while refilling less, I don’t like what the Tube Tank does to the flavor of the e-liquid. Vapor production and flavor intensity are both significantly lower than what I get with the Boge 510 cartomizer. If you like your e-liquids a bit on the mild side, the Tube Tank might be right for you. For me, I’ll keep using my Boge 510s.
Original Volcano Tube Tank Review: Dec. 2011
The Volcano Tube Tank is the latest contraption to appear in the never-ending quest for more vapor, more convenience and more time between refills. It is available in two sizes. The smaller version holds 4 ml of e-liquid, costs $16.99 and is intended for the Inferno e-cigarette, while the larger holds 7 ml, costs $19.99 and fits the Lavatube e-cigarette.
The inner core of the Tube Tank is a large 1.5 ohm low-resistance cartomizer with a cotton gauze filling and a small hole at the bottom. The idea is that e-liquid feeds into the core from the tank through osmosis, keeping the core wet with e-liquid and giving you consistent vapor until the level of e-liquid in the tank drops below the hole; and even then, since the core holds about 1 ml of e-liquid on its own, you should still get plenty of vapor for hours after the tank is empty. Even for heavy vapers, a 4 ml Tube Tank should last about two days between refills.
I have to say that the Tube Tank is not a device that I think I’d be seen with in public. It’s wider than the Inferno battery and about three-quarters as long. In my opinion, it looks a little ridiculous. However, since I do the vast majority of my vaping at home, the appearance of the Tube Tank wouldn’t make much of a difference to me if it worked well. Unfortunately, I find it rather disappointing.
To fill the Tube Tank, what you are supposed to do is push the inner core down to create an opening at the top. Place a bottle in the opening at an angle, and fill the tank without getting liquid inside the inner core. Once you’ve put as much e-liquid in the tank as possible, push the core back up and fill it as you would a normal cartomizer. It takes about 20-30 drops to saturate the cotton filler; while doing this, be careful not to send liquid down the center tube. Place the included black Delrin drip tip on the core, place the Tube Tank on an Inferno or Lavatube e-cig and enjoy. That’s the dream, anyway.
Unfortunately, what I’m finding is that the Tube Tank just isn’t reliable. I filled it according to Volcano’s instructions, have topped it off several times and have even waited a few days to make sure the core is completely saturated; I consistently get a burned, unpleasant taste from the Tube Tank regardless of the amount of liquid I add. When I do manage to get something out of the Tube Tank that tastes as it should, I get almost no vapor.
My other problem with the Tube Tank is that, at present, it is only available with a 1.5 ohm low-resistance cartomizer as the center core. This is fine for the Inferno, but it means that if you use the Tube Tank with the Lavatube e-cigarette, you’ll only be able to push the power up to about 4.0 volts. Volcano has said that a high-resistance Tube Tank will soon be available, though.
Overall, I am quite disappointed with the Tube Tank. Although some customers have given it absolutely glowing reviews, I can’t get mine to work properly and really don’t care for the appearance. Not recommended.
i agree completely. mine is the same way. i cant get it to work properly even though i followed instructions exactly. just a nasty burnt harsh taste with little or no vapor
i have to agree i found this thread thinking i must be doing something wrong. bummer
Initially, I had a burnt taste. But then I realized that I had not put enough juice in the atomizer. Once I put enough juice in the enough the atty, everything was fine. You must not be doing it right, as I have read consistent reviews of the Tube Tank working flawlessly. Also, they now offer 3.0 ohm attys for it as well. As far as looks, come on. You are using an inferno, but you are worried how it will look when you go out? really? If this product is so bad, what do you recommend that works better?
Currently, I am partial to the Boge 510 cartomizer as an e-liquid delivery system. Regarding the Tube Tank, I am certain that I filled it correctly. I over-saturated the filler material to the point of flooding, and even tried the syringe filling method. It just doesn’t work. You are most likely using the new version of the Tube Tank, which has a much larger feeding hole. I assume that the new version is more reliable than the one I tested.
I JUST GOT MINE TODAY. IT APPEARS TO BE AN UPGRADE WITH SOLID METAL TUBE TOP AND BOTTOMS SEALED WITH O-RINGS VS. THE SOLID RUBBER TUBE ENDS DEPICTED ON THE VOLCANO WEBSITE. AND RIGHT AWAY AFTER FILLING, I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN AIR BUBBLE IN THE HOLE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CARTOMIZER, INSIDE THE TUBE TANK. I TOOK A DRAW WITHOUT PUSHING THE BUTTON (I HAVE MANUAL BATTERIES OR BEFORE CONNECTING TO A BATTERY) AND SEVERAL BUBBLES ROSE TO THE TOP OF THE TANK FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CARTOMIZER. I DID THIS AGAIN AND MORE BUBBLES. SO I DID THIS ABOUT 10 TIMES TILL BUBBLES STOPPED AND ACTUALLY HAD TO REFILL THE TANK, BECAUSE AT THAT POINT HERE WAS ONLY ABOUT 3MM OF FLUID LEFT IN THE TANK. IT HAS BEEN WORKING GREAT. EVIDENTLY YOU NEED TO BE SURE THERE ARE NO AIR POCKETS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CARTOMIZER BEFORE YOU START TO VAPE. I WILL SAY THAT THE TASTE IS SOMEWHAT SUBDUED AS WELL AS THE AMOUNT OF VAPOR, NOT BURNT TASTING LIKE A DRY ATTY/CARTOMIZER, BUT I GET A PRETTY STRONG THROAT HIT. OVERALL IT HAS BEEN VERY CONVENIENT AND LEAK FREE SO FAR. I LIKE IT MUCH BETTER THAN MY TANK-O-MIZER, THAT’S FOR SURE. THE TUBE TANK IS ABLE TO TAKE A MUCH HARDER DRAW AND FLOW NICELY COMPARED TO THE TANK-O-MIZER. I GIVE IT 4 STARS FOR COVENIENCE AND FUNCTIONALITY AS WELL AS $2.69 CARTOMIZER REPLACEMENT COST. IT WOULD BE 5 IF THE FLAVOR AND VAPOR WERE A BIT STRONGER.
When it works, it works very well. When it doesn’t… it is very bad. Seems to like to work cool and half full. Prone to flooding the cotton core… too often. So you have to let it dry out a little then pick it up again later. This happens every couple days. A real pain. Any ideas or opinions on the Nitro Tank 5ml? Would like to try one in comparison or as a spare tank… If it works better would really love another type of tank.
I ordered TWO tanks similar to these but of a different brand and can not use them. Anything more than a half-second drag and it feels as if my lungs are going to collapse and I’m going to die of coughing fits. I don’t know what’s wrong with mine, but it sucks having an expensive accessory that you can’t use.
I use this on the inferno and it is great. The burn taste that people are getting is because they didn’t prime it before starting. You have to fill the tank about 1/4 full and draw off of it un-attached from the battery until the liquid is in the atomizer and saturating the cotton. Once that is done you fill the tank and enjoy. If you are getting the burning taste it is because you didn’t prime the tube and you are just tasting burning cotton… When i bought mine the volcano rep primed it for me and the first draw was perfect.
Mine was working fine for a couple of weeks. I wasn’t a big fan of how different the hit was from just using my drip but the benefit of not having to refill it as often outweighed the negative. This morning, however, it just stopped working. It became harder and harder to get anything out of it until finally I couldn’t get anything other than vape juice in my mouth. I’ve been searching for anyone on the internet who has had the same problem but can only come up with making the holes larger. I really hope it works. I vape a lot when I’m driving and the tank was perfect for such an occasion. I don’t want to have to buy another one after only having mine for such a short amount of time.
I just got my inferno, and I ordered the tube tank with it. I love it. It was really easy to fill and has worked consistently since the first use. If you have an “old” model I recommend upgrading to a new one.
Your reviews are well written however, your review is basically reviewing the REPLACEMENT CARTOMIZERS and not the volvano tube tank itself…therefore your rating is inaccurate!!
The Volcano tube tank itself iworks flawlessly and is one of the best quality tanks I have used and i have tried many.. It is built well and has never leaked, nor has iit turned cloudy on me like other brands have..
Although pricey, it is worth every penny..
As for the replacement cartos, iyour rating is right on the mark on that one! some work great when they do and some stink..that is the same case with regular cartos.. personally i use 2.0 ohms dualed. holed replacements from elsewhere, they are better for tobaccos and coffee flavors and rarely do you get a burnt taste and when you do it is right away which means bad carto.. Tip, after you prime your carto, do not start vaping at high voltage!! i start mine at 3.7 and after a couple puffs, i turn it up to 4.2 thru 4.9 depending on juice flavor..never do i get a burnt taste and never do i wait longer than five minutes to start using a newly filled tank/carto..
Sylvie,
Thank you for your comment. I do get what you’re saying in that it’s the replacement cartomizer that determines the experience you’ll have in terms of flavor quality and vapor production. The e-cigarette hobby is a dream for tweakers because it gives you the ability to buy a tank from one vendor, a cartomizer from another vendor and a hole punch from yet someone else and really work on it until you get exactly the experience you want.
That being said, what I’m reviewing here is the complete product because I know of no other fair way to go about it. I know there are people who absolutely love their Tube Tanks, but I bought two of them and wasn’t happy with either. The first one was awful and the second was just okay. I wouldn’t feel comfortable publishing a review saying that the Tube Tank was a great product — as long as you use someone else’s cartomizers.