Ask 'Dr. Spa' Q & A Message Board

Kerry, funny you should mention the black dust issue ,I just posted something today,mentioning I haven't heard too much about that issue in a while.You shouldn't have to replace your electrode every year.I just pulled out my electrode last sept.after 2.5 years of running on a circ.pump 24/7 and was quite surprised to find just a little wear at the tip.my first one I changed after 1.5 years due to finding the tip had broken off somehow and was sitting against the other half of the electrode.it was also quite worn at the base.I took a picture of it and provided it with my original genesis, Bromine generator [thoughts & opinion] post.I would expect my second electrode should last the 5 year warranty the manufacturer provides on the electrode. If your system runs only during the filtration cycles or when its heating .it may be that your electrode is sitting in higher concentrations of Bromine during the times when there is no water flow to draw the Bromine out.this can cause the electrode to break down. In 2008 the manufacturer came out with a flow thru design to prevent this from happening.It requires cutting the original "T" type fitting out and plumbing in the new type in.Cost is about $15 cad.from what my dealer told me.If your system is running constantly with a circ. pump it may be a water balance issue or if your using using chlorine as a shock.I have been running the system for 4.5 years.and only had a very minor dusting about the size of a quarter about 5 mths.after i got my hot tub. ,and it only lasted about 4 weeks I read that higher PH can soften graphite but i let my ph stay at 8 and it doesn't seem to bother the electrode which is not really graphite anyways.Also if your using the electrode that is laced with copper provided exclusively for the cal spa genesis system you might want to try using the one that is just straight carbon.Check if you can to see if there is anything bridging your electrode.It is possible that your electrodes have become faulty some how even though they initially seem ok.Try goggling spa purification.they have some info on the system,troubleshooting,maintenance,etc.They should also have a contact # to talk to someone about your problem. It would be nice to know what you find out once you've figured out what is causing your problem.

good luck J.C.