O.T. water improvement tool

CKain(MI)

Well-known Member
Anyone experienced with condioners/softners can reccomend a brand ?
I know most take a little iron out and I seem have to have a lot. I think I need a iron filter too !
 
Keep in mind that all water softeners operate on the same principle-ion exchange. The difference between softeners is how much hardness they can remove, gallon capacity, and the control head. Softeners can remove a limited amount of iron, but you may need an iron filter beyond a certain concentration. The control head is probably the most important, and most expensive component. I would select a control head that regenerates based on the volume of water used. Softeners require space, and is something you should consider depending on where it will be installed. They also require a drain tube that should be close to a drain outlet. There is disagreement as to whether the discharge from a softener should go into a septic system because of the salt content. I have a Kinetico because it is non-electric and there was no nearby source for electricity. It was used and purchased from a local source who guaranteed it. I ran the discharge directly through an outside wall and into a dry well. I did my my own plumbing to connect it. If you have a company install it, they will probably use PEX pipe and fittings. If you have a plumber, I would start with him for recommendations instead of a water softening company to avoid the sales hype. You will need to get your water tested to determine what you need. My local Health Dept. did it for free.
 
Our wells at both properties have a lot of iron in them, without a softener the toilet always looks like it's been used. We just have basic inexpensive softeners and they do the job just fine, but I do have a filter ahead of them, with just a sediment cartridge, nothing special for iron. I do usually buy the better salt with rust remover.
 
I use Water Boss. Had one at our other house for 14 when we sold the house. Installed a new Water Boss when we bought a new house 5 years ago. Carefully read the manual how to set the new water softener. You can set them to remove iron or not to remove iron according to the minerals in your water. No iron in the water here so I turn that function off. Unit will generate weekly or only on demand for the hardness setting of your water. Uses less water to regenerate than most other softeners.

Sometimes Home Depot gets in a large stock, but they sell out fast. I special ordered the one for the new house online from Ace Hardware and picked it up at the store freight free. Depending on water usage, by the larger unit. They have a unit for use with city water only so check that out before you buy, if you are on a well.
 
The specific type of iron problem will determine whether a basic softener will do the job. The chemistry of iron complexes, how much is in solution etc has a lot to do with it.
 
I had one from Sears that had the mineral tank inside the brine tank.
When ever the humidity was high the salt would bridge over and not move down as it was used. What a pain.

After several years I got a new softener from W.W. Grainger and it had the two tanks separate, the salt never bridged over in that one.


Dusty
 
If you pump iron laden water into a holding tank, the iron will settle to the bottom. If the water is drawn at a higher level it can be crystal clear. Adding an ozone generator will make this process more effective
 
If you have a real high concentration of iron, you may want to have the well water checked for iron bacteria. I have both in my well water and I needed a chlorine injection system along with my two stage softner.
 
First off, you need to have your water tested to see how hard it is and how much iron is in it. Most water softener dealers will do this for free, particularly if you show interest in buying a softener.

Most of the better units use Fleck brand valves. I would stay away from the compact units sold by Home Depot, Sears and others, although there are certainly a lot of them in service. The bigger the resin tank, the more volume you can run through the system without losing pressure.

I saved a huge amount of money by purchasing a softener system on-line and installing it myself. I bought my system from Ohio Pure Water.
Ohio Pure Water
 
Thanks Rollie, I am sure I have that--- slimy black junk comes out of my garden hose. (unfiltered)
 
Thanks mark, Will look into that. There is another on-line sales that I am actually listed as an (MICH) 'installer'. Forgot their name, only had one job with them, install a chemical injector. Think they were in Mo.
 
Regarding iron in my water. I thought I would mention, tonight I found research writing that says, because I have Hemochromotosis-- I should not consume well water with iron ! ! I have been for years.
 

I used to sell and rent them to customers to reduce problems. Be sure not to run the flush water into a septic system. Fleck is the best controller. pretty much all of them these days regenerate at the time that is programmed into them A F T E R the programmed number of gallons pass through. If you have iron Protect your softener with a filter ahead of it. You can do it yourself, testing for hardness is no big deal.
 
My well water is highly acid, very hard, and high in iron. I finally had a Rayne system installed. Their web site is http://www.raynewater.com/. I am very happy with the system. Before it was installed, the iron in the water stained everything and settled out as sludge in the toilet tanks and water heater.

The system may have cost more than others, but I am very happy with it. The installation was in a difficult location and was well done. They do take up space and they need to be maintained, but I wish I had done it years earlier. The acid in the water has caused multiple water leaks in the house by corroding through the copper stubs between the plastic pipes and the faucets.

Pat
 
I forgot to mention that Marlo will send you a bottle so they can do a free water test on your water. That needs to be done so they can recommend a system that will work for you.
 
Depends on who you ask, some people say FLECK is best, others say CLACK Corp. Is best valve. Same guy designed them both. Fleck went through some tough times about 7-8 years ago, think I'd install a Clack.

I'd start asking a water treatment company about solving your water quality problem, ask if they use Fleck or Clack valves, walk out if they say neither. Don't even think about a softener from a big box store, or an all-in-one-tank softener. I have seen softeners with Fleck valves from good companies for sale at Blain's Farm & Fleet, but the knowledge & experience of the water quality technician would still send me to a water treatment company.
 
(quoted from post at 08:01:48 08/25/15) Keep in mind that all water softeners operate on the same principle-ion exchange.

I have a reverse osmosis that does not work on the I-E process.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top