filter glue/rubber area breaking down

[TLR]

Hello, I'm using the standard  pleatco/unicel filter. It's rubber top & bottom is green/blueish in color. The problem is the rubber is breaking down becoming gritty and loose and then depositing it's self onto the fiberglass tub all over. It is hard and will not come off using a scrubber sponge. So I dumped the water &  I even used some marykate boat bottom hull cleaner (which  takes off really bad boat growth) but that didn't work. Now that it's empty and drying out it seems that I might be able to scrape off some of the spots with my fingernail.

Since I don't want this happening again using that same "style" of filter is there a filter that doesn't use that rubber material or maybe a better made filter such as Clarathon brand?

Thanks for reading the long question!

Thanks,

TLR

[Dr. Spa™ Ret.]

How old is it and have you been cleaning the filter?

[TLR]

FIlter is around 4 months old, and I clean it every month. They usually last almost 5 months. But there was never a breakdown like this.

I use the Dupont spa care line found at Lowes, Bromine tabs, etc. Only the same 2 people use the tub.

perhaps a different  bromine tab would be better? I used to use the Beachcomber line but the dealer switched.

Thanks,

TLR

[Dr. Spa™ Ret.]

How is the bromine being added to the water?

How do you clean the filter and how often?

[TLR]

The bromine loads into a tube thats the top of the filter canister, than that slides/sits inside the filter when the canister is closed. It's an Emerald Spa Thats never given us any problems.

I soak the filter in a 5 gal bucket with maybe a 1/4 cup of clorox for prob 30 minutes, then use the outdoor hose and rinse off very well. I've had this tub (at 2 houses) and done the same maintenance style for 5 years now with no problems and no weird flakes or green hard debris/spots on the fiberglass, just very strange.

I am leaning towards the filter going bad/needing replacement sooner for some reason & the breakdown of the rubber, hense the wondering about switching bromine tabs.

Thanks,

TLR

[Dr. Spa™ Ret.]

FIlter is around 4 months old, and I clean it every month. They usually last almost 5 months.

oops, missed this before. 5 MONTHS? Mine is around 5 YEARS old, and going strong. What's happening to them after 5 months requiring them to be replaced?

[TLR]

Yes, thats a good question, and one of the questions I am asking here.

I am more needing any input if any others had their rubber tops & bottoms begin to decay and how or what to use to get the remains off the fiberglass without scratching.

Thanks,

TLR

[gwendland]

It occurs to me that perhaps the clorox bleach you're using to clean the filters has effected the rubber components of the canister.  Is that possible?

[wmccall]

It occurs to me that perhaps the clorox bleach you're using to clean the filters has effected the rubber components of the canister.  Is that possible?

That sounds what I saw when I tried to use clorox on mine, I assumed I didn't dilute it enough.