Opinions on water softener
#1
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Opinions on water softener
I think I finally decided that we need to get a softener because the hard water sucks. We had someone come out almost a year ago to test our water and gave us a quote on one of their products that they install. They ended up recommending a CareSoft Pro RC which is the one with the carbon and resin in one tank separated by a metal divider plate (with the carbon on top). His installed price was $2195. This seems kinda high to me.
So I started looking at the Fleck 5600SXT for comparison purposes. The unit is significantly cheaper and doesn't have the carbon to remove the chlorine (which we don't notice too much anyway). It looks like I can get a Fleck 5600SXT with the 10% crosslinked resin for in the $600 ballpark.
I would have to probably get some help installing the Fleck if I went that route. Anyone have any opinions on the Fleck vs something like the CareSoft recommended by my local company?
So I started looking at the Fleck 5600SXT for comparison purposes. The unit is significantly cheaper and doesn't have the carbon to remove the chlorine (which we don't notice too much anyway). It looks like I can get a Fleck 5600SXT with the 10% crosslinked resin for in the $600 ballpark.
I would have to probably get some help installing the Fleck if I went that route. Anyone have any opinions on the Fleck vs something like the CareSoft recommended by my local company?
#2
I have never heard of CareSoft but Fleck is a well known.
I also do not like anything that combines components as it just adds complexity, but that is just me.
I can highly recommend Ohio Pure Water, the owner Charlie, is so easy to work with I'v purchased equipment from him for the last 3 houses. This is my current set up, everything from Ohio!
https://www.ohiopurewater.com/
https://www.doityourself.com/forum/a...1&d=1514810763
I also do not like anything that combines components as it just adds complexity, but that is just me.
I can highly recommend Ohio Pure Water, the owner Charlie, is so easy to work with I'v purchased equipment from him for the last 3 houses. This is my current set up, everything from Ohio!
https://www.ohiopurewater.com/
https://www.doityourself.com/forum/a...1&d=1514810763
#3
There are pros and cons of doing it your self or having some one else do it for you.
Self often is lower price but one needs to be handy in figuring out challenges because they often happen when the place is closed.
A company would have that challenge if it is evening or weekend but They can deal with it and fix it.
What kind of service comes with that price? How many years of coming out at no cost to fix?
Now there is nothing really wrong with having to medias in the same tank, carbon plays well with resin and if there is a divider then that is even better.
There is one on the market today that has a mid plate of plastic and one could have carbon or kdf on the top part. One less valve to work with.
What valve is that system using?
I like the simple is better.. or fewer means fewer things to go wrong.
Self often is lower price but one needs to be handy in figuring out challenges because they often happen when the place is closed.
A company would have that challenge if it is evening or weekend but They can deal with it and fix it.
What kind of service comes with that price? How many years of coming out at no cost to fix?
Now there is nothing really wrong with having to medias in the same tank, carbon plays well with resin and if there is a divider then that is even better.
There is one on the market today that has a mid plate of plastic and one could have carbon or kdf on the top part. One less valve to work with.
What valve is that system using?
I like the simple is better.. or fewer means fewer things to go wrong.
#4
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There are pros and cons of doing it your self or having some one else do it for you.
Self often is lower price but one needs to be handy in figuring out challenges because they often happen when the place is closed.
A company would have that challenge if it is evening or weekend but They can deal with it and fix it.
What kind of service comes with that price? How many years of coming out at no cost to fix?
Now there is nothing really wrong with having to medias in the same tank, carbon plays well with resin and if there is a divider then that is even better.
There is one on the market today that has a mid plate of plastic and one could have carbon or kdf on the top part. One less valve to work with.
What valve is that system using?
I like the simple is better.. or fewer means fewer things to go wrong.
Self often is lower price but one needs to be handy in figuring out challenges because they often happen when the place is closed.
A company would have that challenge if it is evening or weekend but They can deal with it and fix it.
What kind of service comes with that price? How many years of coming out at no cost to fix?
Now there is nothing really wrong with having to medias in the same tank, carbon plays well with resin and if there is a divider then that is even better.
There is one on the market today that has a mid plate of plastic and one could have carbon or kdf on the top part. One less valve to work with.
What valve is that system using?
I like the simple is better.. or fewer means fewer things to go wrong.
Water Care | CareSoft Pro® RC
I am fairly handy, but plumping is probably my least favorite thing to do. I don't recall if there was really any service that was included other than workmanship type things and warranty issues, but their selling point is that their units are better built and therefore require less service. I can't find information on if it is a Fleck or a Clack valve. There was some things I read online that leads me to believe it is a Clack valve, but nothing concrete to confirm that.
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I have never heard of CareSoft but Fleck is a well known.
I also do not like anything that combines components as it just adds complexity, but that is just me.
I can highly recommend Ohio Pure Water, the owner Charlie, is so easy to work with I'v purchased equipment from him for the last 3 houses. This is my current set up, everything from Ohio!
https://www.ohiopurewater.com/
https://www.doityourself.com/forum/a...1&d=1514810763
I also do not like anything that combines components as it just adds complexity, but that is just me.
I can highly recommend Ohio Pure Water, the owner Charlie, is so easy to work with I'v purchased equipment from him for the last 3 houses. This is my current set up, everything from Ohio!
https://www.ohiopurewater.com/
https://www.doityourself.com/forum/a...1&d=1514810763
#6
You will like the valve as it is a Clack with their brand.
Much better programing than the Fleck valve.
Find out who is making the media tank and if you can have KDF 55 over the carbon.
I would go with them and the valve over the Fleck valve.
Clack valves are showing to be a bullet proof valve down the road.
With the programing of auto and capacity and comp hardness it takes care of its self in the programing , a really sweet deal.
Much better programing than the Fleck valve.
Find out who is making the media tank and if you can have KDF 55 over the carbon.
I would go with them and the valve over the Fleck valve.
Clack valves are showing to be a bullet proof valve down the road.
With the programing of auto and capacity and comp hardness it takes care of its self in the programing , a really sweet deal.
#7
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OP.....did CareSoft rep test your water with a pool test kit ? If so, you might want to bring a sample to a water test lab and see what they find. Might also ask to test for pH....iron.....bacteria, etc. (Unless you are on city water that will give you a readout of their past testing)
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OP.....did CareSoft rep test your water with a pool test kit ? If so, you might want to bring a sample to a water test lab and see what they find. Might also ask to test for pH....iron.....bacteria, etc. (Unless you are on city water that will give you a readout of their past testing)
Hardness: 11gpg
pH: 7.5
Iron: Traces
TDS: 495-620
Chlorine: 1.5
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EDIT: I found something that looks like it was a sample from 2010 that had 91ug/L in their testing. That was in a 2016 report.
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Yea, I have both Lowes and Home Depot around, but if I go with a cheap system, it would be the Fleck 5600SXT. I am just trying to figure out if it is worth it to go with the CareSoft for about $2k installed whereas the Fleck would cost me $550ish plus additional parts to install it, and either pay someone to install it or get help, etc.