>>        Using other than IBM tapes (and possibly with them), it seems
that
cleaning each drive AT LEAST once per week is imperative, rather than
waiting till the drive says it needs cleaning.  The IBMs do seem to
leave
lest 'dust' or residue on the heads.<<

You're cleaning LTO drives once a week?  What kind of environement are
the drives located in?  We clean our LTO drives less than once a YEAR!

David Ehresman