5ml Tank Capacity – What It Means for Vapers & TPD Compliance
Definition
5ml Tank Capacity refers to the maximum volume of e-liquid a vape tank can legally hold under the Therapeutic Goods Act in Australia. This measurement describes the internal reservoir of glass or plastic that stores Juice“>vape juice before it is wicked to the coil and vaporised. A 5 ml tank strikes a balance between portability and convenience, offering roughly 1,500–2,000 puffs before a refill is needed, making it an ideal size for both mouth-to-lung and restricted direct-lung styles without the bulk of larger 8 ml or 10 ml options.
Technical Details
Internally, a 5 ml vape tank is engineered with a cylindrical or bubble-shaped glass section sealed by food-grade silicone or rubber gaskets. Standard external diameters range from 24 mm to 28 mm to keep compatibility with common Thread“>510 Thread devices. Most manufacturers mark the exact fill line at 4.8 ml to stay safely under the 5 ml legal limit. Variants include straight-sided tanks for a sleek look and bubble tanks that add 1–2 mm of girth but maximise volume. TPD-regulated regions outside Australia sell 2 ml versions with identical coil decks, so Australian users often purchase a 5 ml replacement glass to restore full capacity. Threading is universally 510-compatible, and top-fill systems dominate, using sliding or twist-off caps for quick refills without removing the tank from the mod.
Usage & Tips
- Priming: After filling a new 5 ml tank, let it stand for 5–10 minutes so cotton wicks fully saturate, preventing dry hits.
- Coil Life: Expect 20–40 ml of e-liquid per coil; swap when flavour drops or you notice gurgling.
- Leak Prevention: Close airflow when refilling and avoid over-tightening the top cap; too much pressure can warp gaskets.
- Safety: Use high-drain Battery“>18650 Battery, 21700 Battery or 26650 Battery cells rated for your coil’s resistance to prevent overheating.
- Nicotine“>0mg Nicotine Compatibility: 5 ml tanks work equally well with 0 mg nicotine juices as with nic-salts; just adjust wattage to suit viscosity.
History & Context
When the EU Tobacco Products Directive capped tanks at 2 ml in 2016, Australian vapers lobbied to retain the larger 5 ml standard. Today, most global brands ship 2 ml kits with an additional 5 ml extension glass labelled “for non-TPD regions,” allowing Aussie users to enjoy extended vaping sessions without frequent refills.