Help! First tail fell apart :(

[Arie]

Hi there everyone!

It seems that sadly my first tail has started to fall apart after only 3 swims! I'm so upset!
I have discovered little holes in the tips of the tail all over and its made me quite sad.


I'm not sure if its the actual fabric or not, I'm using spandex and Fabricville has agreed to replace the fabric for me since they informed me it should hold up perfectly fine for the tail.

I'm going to be picking up my new fabric soon to start over but I wanted to see if theres any tips to help prevent this damage again!
I read a couple articles and I now know not to leave my tail to dry in the sun which I had done (not sure if it effects a fabric tail as much as silicone/latex). I try my best not to stand in my tail, it may have hit the bottom a couple times, but certainly not enough to cause this many tiny holes! I mean my bikinis hold up better then this stuff did.

I'm really not sure what to do, I'm worried about putting all the effort in again for another tail to just have this tail as well fall apart before my very eyes!


Please give me some tips on what to do? Preventative things to put on it? Will painting the entire tail help prevent ripping (all the spots that ripped were unpainted areas).
Please please please help me! If I lived close I would bake you cookies this is how bad I need answers :(

Bellow I'll share some photos of the finished tail and of the damage done after 3 swims.
The tail is made out of spandex and the fin under it is a monofin with a FRP panel that is covered completely with gorilla tape.

Thank you all so much!

[Mermaid Matanzas]

In the future if you notice small holes or rough edges with loose thread, try fray check.

[Arie]

The problem is I didn't notice them till it was too late! There wasn't any marks at first. I wasn't sure if it was the chlorine or not

[AniaR]

the monofin extenders may be too heavy/rough for the fabric.

[Arie]

It's covered in gorilla tape, but I could definitely do a protective layer under it with another fabric. I've also thought about downsizing the tail, Jackie said its as big a fluke as yours, so perhaps a slightly smaller fluke would do better.
Is there any treatments good to do before swims? I hand wash my tail after with clean water normally (preference in temperature?)

[AniaR]

well my fluke is huge but its got built in foot pockets and it's a lighter material meant for sport. Wear and tear on fabric tails is normal, especially in pools that have concrete, when you're out on rocks and sand etc

[Arie]

Haha yeah, your tail is much better ;) I'm starting to think it may be cheaper (but take longer!) to do sequins on the next tail, perhaps then it'll be a bit safer as well as save me some money since fabric paint is not the cheapest