HP Envy Photo 7155 (HP 63) Refill Options: Spongeless vs. Sponge Refills and External Tank (CISS) Alternatives

Question

I've been watching your refill videos and I really appreciate them. I tried the spongeless conversion method, but unfortunately both of my cartridges eventually failed. Because that conversion is pretty involved, I've gone back to using a sponge-style black cartridge and refilling through the top holes.

I'm using an HP Envy Photo 7155, and I'm wondering if there's a compatible refillable external tank system (a side-mounted tank/CISS style setup) that I can modify for this printer. I thought something like that used to exist, but I can't find it on your updated website. 

Answer

1) What cartridges your HP Envy Photo 7155 uses (and what that means)

Your HP Envy Photo 7155 uses HP 63-series integrated cartridges (the printhead is built into the cartridge). That cartridge design is the biggest reason why external side-tank (CISS) conversions are uncommon and unreliable for this model.

With integrated cartridges, ink delivery and pressure stability are extremely sensitive. A side-tank system introduces extra variables (hose routing, pressure balance, priming, air leaks, backpressure changes), and the cartridge itself wasn't engineered to be a "continuous" ink receiver the way many Epson-style systems are.

2) Do we sell a premade external tank kit for the Envy 7155 / HP 63?

At this time, we do not have premade external tank (side tank/CISS) kits designed specifically for the HP 63 / Envy 7155 platform.

What we do offer is a conversion approach for HP integrated cartridges (including HP 63) that enables a more "spongeless-style" refill method:

• Modification kit for making spongeless cartridge with HP integrated cartridges (including HP 63) (https://bchtechnologies.com/products/modification-kit-for-making-spongeless-cartridge-with-hp-integrated-cartridges-60-61-62-63-64-65-66-67-68-69-70-74-75-901-as-rfc-hpsq?_pos=1&_sid=2b9a9f596&_ss=r)

3) Why "spongeless" can work well-yet still ends with cartridge failure

First, you're not alone in what you experienced: spongeless conversions can print beautifully for a while, but integrated HP cartridges can still "die" for reasons that are not always obvious. The most common causes are:

A) Printhead wear-out / thermal damage (integrated head fatigue)
HP 63 cartridges have a built-in printhead that heats and fires ink. If the cartridge ever prints while partially starved (air in the chamber, inconsistent ink feed, or a bubble), the printhead can overheat and permanently lose nozzles. Once enough nozzles are gone, the cartridge is effectively done.

B) Air ingestion and pressure instability
Spongeless setups rely heavily on correct sealing and stable internal pressure. If there's even a tiny leak, or the venting isn't tuned correctly, air can enter the ink path and cause:

• intermittent printing,

• sudden dropouts,

• "prints fine, then dies" behavior.

C) Ink chemistry mismatch or sediment buildup
Some inks flow differently (viscosity/surface tension), and integrated heads can be picky. Over time, residue can build up in the nozzle plate or firing chamber. Even if the cartridge still "has ink," the nozzles can be partially blocked.

D) Handling/priming issues after refill
A refilled integrated cartridge often needs:

• proper priming,

• correct vent behavior,

• and sometimes a rest period to stabilize.

If it's refilled and put right back into heavy printing, it can cavitate (micro-bubbles) and fail earlier.

4) Why you're having better luck with a sponge black cartridge (and how to make it last longer)

A sponge-based cartridge acts like a buffer. It holds ink and helps regulate flow, which can reduce sudden air intake and pressure swings. That's why, even though it feels "less advanced," sponge refilling is often more forgiving on HP integrated cartridges.

To get better longevity from sponge refilling:

• Refill before it runs completely dry.
  Printing on a near-empty HP integrated cartridge is one of the fastest ways to burn nozzles.

• Don't overfill.
  Overfilling can flood the printhead area, causing smearing, internal leakage, or air exchange issues later.

• Use slow, steady refills and let it settle.
  After refilling, let the cartridge sit nozzle-down on a lint-free towel for a minute or two to stabilize flow (not long-term-just enough to let pressure equalize).

• Avoid long "high coverage" runs on a marginal cartridge.
  Heavy photo printing pushes a lot of ink and heat. If a cartridge is slightly unstable, this can accelerate failure.

5) About "error codes" for this situation (what you may see)

You didn't mention a specific code number in the question, but with HP 63 / Envy 7155, common cartridge-related messages and "codes/symptoms" people run into after refilling or conversion include:

• "Cartridge Problem" / "Incompatible Cartridge" / "Cartridge Cannot Be Used"
  Often triggered by cartridge electrical contact issues, chip/read problems, or firmware behavior.

• "Depleted" or "Cartridge Empty" even after refill
  Many HP models track ink estimates. Refilling doesn't always reset the estimate (unless the printer supports it). The cartridge can still print, but warnings may remain.

• Print quality failures without a formal code (missing lines, faded output, color dropouts)
  This is frequently air, clogging, or printhead damage rather than something the printer can "code" precisely.

If you have a specific numeric error code from the printer screen (or a photo of the message), that would help pinpoint whether you're dealing with a contact/chip issue vs. an ink-delivery/printhead issue.

6) So what's the best practical path for the Envy 7155 owner who wants refill savings?

Given the HP 63 platform:

• If you want the highest reliability, sponge refilling (done carefully) is often the most stable.

• If you want lower cost-per-ml and are comfortable with hands-on work, the spongeless modification kit can be done, but it has a learning curve and still won't eliminate the "integrated printhead eventually dies" reality.

• A side tank/CISS on this platform usually creates more problems than it solves unless you're extremely experienced and willing to troubleshoot pressure/air issues.

In other words: for HP integrated cartridges, the printhead is a consumable, and even the best refill strategy cannot guarantee indefinite life.

Addressing printer issues can get complicated because so many of these problems are hands-on and depend on physical inspection, ink flow behavior, seals, and printer condition. Because of that, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility: printer repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before there's an opening to drop off your printer. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. That said, we recognize our rates aren't the most economical-so we strongly recommend self-help through online research first. A great place to start is YouTube, especially our channel homepage: BCH Technologies YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to "About" on the right side of the menu bar to find videos by topic. I receive dozens of questions each day asking for the right video, and after creating content for years, it's tough to remember every single one-so YouTube search is the fastest way to locate the most relevant guidance. It can also suggest helpful videos from other creators that may match your exact situation.

Thanks again for reaching out and for supporting our work-it really does make a difference.