Using a Spongeless Refillable HP 61-68 Cartridge With a CISS: What Works and What Must Be Sealed

Question: In your video about making a spongeless refillable HP cartridge (HP 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68 integrated types), can this same method be used alongside a CISS system?

Answer: Yes-you can use the spongeless method with a CISS, but you must seal the small white air holes next to the color fill plugs to prevent pressure problems and ink flooding.

Why spongeless cartridges and CISS can work together

A spongeless conversion basically changes how ink is stored and delivered inside the cartridge:

• A standard HP integrated cartridge normally uses a sponge to regulate ink flow and maintain stable backpressure.

• A spongeless setup removes that sponge restriction, allowing freer ink movement.

• A CISS (Continuous Ink Supply System) feeds ink from external tanks, relying on stable pressure (height and venting) so ink flows at the right rate.

So yes, they can be combined-because both approaches aim to keep ink supply consistent. The catch is that a spongeless cartridge is less forgiving of incorrect venting, and CISS is all about pressure control. If the cartridge venting isn't configured correctly, you can get one of two failures:

• Ink flooding / dripping / smearing (too much pressure or unintended air entry)

• Starvation / missing colors / intermittent printing (not enough pressure or sealed incorrectly)

The critical detail: seal the "white air holes" next to the color plugs

Your question hits the exact point that matters.

When you run a cartridge with CISS, the cartridge is no longer functioning like a self-contained ink reservoir. It becomes more like a printhead manifold being fed by external tanks. That means you must control where air can enter the system.

On many of these HP integrated cartridges (61-68 family and related housings), there are tiny white air holes-often a little hole near the color fill plugs. If those remain open while the CISS is attached, they can cause:

• Loss of proper backpressure, letting ink flow too easily

• Air being pulled in from the wrong place, creating bubbles in the ink path

• Inconsistent siphoning, where the CISS tank height doesn't behave predictably

• Cross-contamination risk in multi-chamber setups if pressure fluctuates

That's why the safe approach is:

• Yes, use the spongeless method with CISS

• But seal those white air holes (the small hole next to the color plugs) so the CISS becomes the controlled air/pressure system rather than the cartridge body introducing random venting.

What happens if you don't seal them (common symptoms)

If the white air holes are left open while using a CISS, typical symptoms include:

• Blotchy prints or sudden over-inking

• Ink leaking under the cartridge or into the service station

• Smearing that gets worse over time

• Random missing lines that come and go (air turbulence in the ink path)

• Colors dropping out after sitting, then returning after a cleaning cycle

These problems often look "mysterious" because the printer may still print sometimes-until it doesn't.

General setup considerations when combining CISS + integrated printhead cartridges

Even with the air holes sealed, performance still depends on stable CISS fundamentals:

• Tank height matters: if tanks are too high, ink can flood; too low, it can starve.

• Vent control matters: the CISS vents must be opened/closed correctly for use vs. transport.

• No sharp kinks in tubing: CISS tubing must move freely with the carriage.

• Prime carefully: trapped air bubbles can mimic clogs and cause missing sections.

Also remember: with HP integrated cartridges, the printhead is built into the cartridge body-so any ink flow issue shows up immediately as print defects. That's normal, and it's why pressure/venting configuration is so important.

Error codes

No printer error codes were mentioned in your question, so there are no specific codes to reference for this case.

Printer troubleshooting can be complicated because these issues are hands-on and depend on physical factors like air pressure, venting, tubing movement, and how the cartridge behaves in the carriage. For that reason, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, detailed step-by-step repair support, or direct guidance 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 we can schedule a drop-off. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. We also understand our rates aren't the most economical, so we strongly recommend self-help through online research whenever possible. You can start by checking YouTube or visiting our channel homepage at BCH Technologies on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar to find specific topics. I receive dozens of questions every day asking which video covers which issue, and after nine years of creating videos, it's challenging to remember every single one-so YouTube's search function is the fastest and most efficient. Plus, YouTube may recommend relevant videos from other creators that can also help.

Thanks again for reaching out and for supporting BCH Technologies. I really appreciate it, and I hope this clears up how to safely use the spongeless cartridge method alongside a CISS system.