Duke IKON

leaving the band on will help keep the pleats seperated so the filter gets even flow. it helps but its not needed.

well i would have to disagree with that . the foam is not just for inslation it is also suport for the plumbing. imagein a 4 ft 3" pipe with water in it it is heavy. aslo imaging water pulsing on and off. and the fact that chemicals will dry out the plumbing. it will break down much faster then a full foam spa would.

I am pool and spa dealer and would like to say that the chemicals are the same from pool and spa. But you do wana stay away from knock off cheap chemicals due to there is alot of garbage fillers in there that ten to add cloudyness...

Well i Would have to say to do this right you would have to pull liner out and weld a wall plate in. I never hered of some one cutting a wall for a plumbing leak. Our you could fill hole in with porland cement then make sure you have wall faom between wall and liner . i know some companys dont use wall foam pad . But good luck with that one hope this helps! and hopethis helps