Eliminate Duckbill? Or Non Stenner = Bad?

[matthewsunshineflorida]

I'm using full strength muriatic acid and these duck bills are constantly going bad within months, creating flow restriction. I got them on Amazon last year (search B00HEAW2ZU), but I realized that all of these prime sellers, including the one I bought from, are 3rd party with only 100ish feedback, so I'm wondering if the issue is that they are generics that aren't really made of santoprene (paid $20 for 5). Particularly since there is an honest generic brand listing (look up Amazon B0D947Q782) that is $18 for 100 of them made out of TPE (not santoprene).

Where is everybody getting their duckbills, and how long do they typically last?

 

[PoolStored]

I have purchased all my Stenner equipment and maintenance parts from Fresh Water Systems...not had a problem.

Check valve parts - Stenner Santoprene check valve duckbill

The ZCVDB0BK Stenner Santoprene Duckbill provides a dependable and indispensable way to improve the functionality of your Stenner pump system. Designed with a focus on precision and robustness, these Santoprene duckbills guarantee efficient fluid movement and precise dosing for a wide range of...

www.freshwatersystems.com

 

[ajw22]

Low quality knockoff parts are all over Amazon. Merchants game the review system. Buying parts on Amazon is a casino.

 

[tucsontico]

Like you I've had duckbills deteriorate fast when using "full strength" (31.45%) MA–even the Santoprene ones. This year I switched to "half strength" (14.5%) MA and have not had a problem with 3rd party duckbills wearing out quickly. Of course, the dosage amount has to go up, but I've had rock-solid pH (7.6-7.8) all year and only changed out the duckbill twice since March.

 

[matthewsunshineflorida]

Would I be crazy to just eliminate the duckbill altogether? From what I understand, this is to relieve the pressure off the hose so that it doesn't split, and if the rollers were to physically fall off, it would prevent the pool water from filling up the tank. My pump has 4 rollers and the tube is a really tough tygon so I'm wondering if everything would last longer if I eliminate the duckbill altogether?

Otherwise maybe I'll just start changing them every other month. Was hoping not to have to do something like that.