Fluval Tube Connectors Flaking

[Mark Z.]

Has anyone else had this problem with their Fluval tube connectors? The surface of mine have been flaking away.
 
I'm talking about the rubber tubes that you use to connect the intake and outtake pipes to the ribbed tubes that go to the filter. Mine are light gray in color and the outer surface is flaking away and the flakes go all over my tank. 
 
I hate these things! the tubes themselves are dark, but the rubber connectors are light gray and stick out. They also accumulate a lot of what looks like mold on them and are hard to clean. Now, they are flaking away.
 
I wonder if there is something else that can be used to connect the intake and outtakes to the ribbed tubes?
 
Mark

 

[Seanthebusdriver]

Hi Mark,
 
Its sounds normal to me. You will find its not the connector flaking but a build up of organic matter that finds the rubbery surface easy to stick to. Its harmless and if you don't like the appearance of it wash it off and your filter will ingest it.

 

[Mark Z.]

No, this is the actual material flaking off I believe. When I try to clean it, it sends white flakes all over the tank. It looks as if they are peeling off of the rubber material. I wouldn't mind so much if it was organic matter.
 
I wonder if I can replace them with rubber tubing, except there are different diameters on each side.

 

[Lunar Jetman]

I would have thought that as long as you use the correct width of tubing you should be fine to replace it.

 

[NeonTetra97]

No, this is the actual material flaking off I believe. When I try to clean it, it sends white flakes all over the tank. It looks as if they are peeling off of the rubber material. I wouldn't mind so much if it was organic matter.
 
I wonder if I can replace them with rubber tubing, except there are different diameters on each side.

 
 
I think I know what you mean, I personally use Fluvial filters, and I can relate the the 'flaky' hose connectors. It is usually just deposits left behind by sediment in the tap water and algae that just binds the the surface and when I clean it the light coloured dirt can appear to flake away. Perhaps this is what you are experiencing? I have found Fluvial stuff to be pretty bullet proof and probably won't break unless you are very unlucky, you could try taking the connectors off and giving them a good scrub under running water then rinse in a bucket of tank water to see if they clean up.