JustaDIYer
Member
A quick background, bought a house about 2.5 years ago (3 people, 3 full baths, 2 story on private well) and it had an older Kenmore softener which was working as far as i could tell. It quit end of last year. After countless hours debating what to get and convincing my wife (sort of) to spend a little more and get something other than a box store softener, i settled on a Fleck 5600sxt 80k with sst60 resin. Installed it in Jan. '15 myself and set per assistance from online company i purchased it from. And to note, i do have a RO for drinking water in kitchen.
My water test results from an in-home softener company that i called are as follows:
H = 75 (originally at 50 but wasn't soft and was getting smell, so i bumped it up)
BW = 20 (was 10 originally, had advice to increase to 20 because of 80k size)
BD = 55
BW = ? (forgot now that I'm writing this)
BF = 24 (timed it to get 14" of water in brine well, per recommendation)
and using iron out salt all the time
So, all seemed to be going ok till last week when strong metal smell and the dishwasher dishes came out nasty! Diagnoses was it wasn't drawing brine. Got it somewhat drawing and seemed to fix the issue (although wasn't drawing full amount of brine). Then found the injector screen was clogged with red 'crud'. Cleaned it with toothpick and water.
So, one guys recommendations: it's iron bacteria and you need to chlorinate your well, won't fix issue for good, might get couple months or a year. And install a chlorination system for a full time fix.
Another guy tells me: It's not iron bacteria, just iron from water clogging it up. And he said DON'T chlorinate the well while using iron out salt, will emit dangerous gas, and just install iron filter. This guy did test water and tap water was like 3gpg hard with very little tint of iron; RO was clean with TDS around 30. (these were taken after i had it somewhat working and before i ran a regen with totally clean injector screen)
(I did research iron bacteria and looking in two of my toilet tanks, i don't have a slimy build up on my tank sides or an accumalation in the corners. So, i'd say not iron bacteria. )
So, ran a regen last night with clean screen, brine drew as expected down to a couple inches after cycle and refilled as before. Too early to tell water difference.
So..... my questions;
I'm sure i'll have more questions. I appreciate your input.
My water test results from an in-home softener company that i called are as follows:
- Hardness - 32gpg
- Iron - 3.5ppm
- not sure on pH (i'm going to get that checked in next day or so)
- flow rate - about 10-12gpm (per my septic/well inspector i had before purchasing the house, i'm going to recheck in next day or so as well)
H = 75 (originally at 50 but wasn't soft and was getting smell, so i bumped it up)
BW = 20 (was 10 originally, had advice to increase to 20 because of 80k size)
BD = 55
BW = ? (forgot now that I'm writing this)
BF = 24 (timed it to get 14" of water in brine well, per recommendation)
and using iron out salt all the time
So, all seemed to be going ok till last week when strong metal smell and the dishwasher dishes came out nasty! Diagnoses was it wasn't drawing brine. Got it somewhat drawing and seemed to fix the issue (although wasn't drawing full amount of brine). Then found the injector screen was clogged with red 'crud'. Cleaned it with toothpick and water.
So, one guys recommendations: it's iron bacteria and you need to chlorinate your well, won't fix issue for good, might get couple months or a year. And install a chlorination system for a full time fix.
Another guy tells me: It's not iron bacteria, just iron from water clogging it up. And he said DON'T chlorinate the well while using iron out salt, will emit dangerous gas, and just install iron filter. This guy did test water and tap water was like 3gpg hard with very little tint of iron; RO was clean with TDS around 30. (these were taken after i had it somewhat working and before i ran a regen with totally clean injector screen)
(I did research iron bacteria and looking in two of my toilet tanks, i don't have a slimy build up on my tank sides or an accumalation in the corners. So, i'd say not iron bacteria. )
So, ran a regen last night with clean screen, brine drew as expected down to a couple inches after cycle and refilled as before. Too early to tell water difference.
So..... my questions;
- Are my settings close?
- Should i install an iron filter? If so, recommendations? Or do i just periodically clean the injector screen and valve?
- What salt should i be using? There is a ResCare system in the brine well, just not filled currently.
I'm sure i'll have more questions. I appreciate your input.