New water softener advice

[Todd Kelsey]

Hi, I have a +20 year old softener that I believe has a Fleck valve on. Definitely a need to replace it!

Reading thru the posts there obviously so many choices and complexities especially to one unfamiliar with the lingo, specs, etc.

Here's the water quality report from where I live (Rochester, MN, hardness 17):
https://www.rpu.org/documents/2011_water_quality_report.pdf

3-4 person household, average water use/day. I'm looking to install myself.

I've looked online and with comments there and on this forum... I very much worry about not buying a 'good one'.. ie bad resin, plastic connector vs stainless, etc.

Can anyone please provide advice on size (eg 30,000, 48K, 60K, etc.), plus brand and/or a 'trusted' supplier I could order from over the internet (please PM me if posting this type of info here breaks forum rules).

THANK YOU in advance for any advice/help you can provide.

 

[Reach4]

You probably want 2.5 or 3 cubic ft of resin if you get a single tank system. This would probably be 13" x 54" 2.50 cu. ft. tank ( "80,000 grains" )
or 14 x 65 3 cu. ft. ("96000 grains") for comparisons.

You would set the softener up for fewer grains than the nominal, but get higher efficiency.

How big is your water piping?

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Todd Kelsey]

You probably want 2.5 or 3 cubic ft of resin if you get a single tank system. This would probably be 13" x 54" 2.50 cu. ft. tank ( "80,000 grains" )
or 14 x 65 3 cu. ft. ("96000 grains") for comparisons.

You would set the softener up for fewer grains than the nominal, but get higher efficiency.

How big is your water piping?

3/4 inch copper

 

[Reach4]

Measure the tank. You will see that your new one should be bigger.

If the water department says the average hardness is 17, figure about 22 I think.

 

[Todd Kelsey]

Salt reservoir: 14x16x32, Softener: 44 tall (to valve), approx 7.5 diameter and approx 26 circumference

 

[Todd Kelsey]

Hi, I also changed from 4-5 to 3-4 which I know changes recommendation... sorry for confusion but I think this is more accurate.

 

[Reach4]

Salt reservoir: 14x16x32, Softener: 44 tall (to valve), approx 7.5 diameter and approx 26 circumference

Sounds like 8" x 44" 0.75 cu. ft. ( "24,000 grains" ), and it would need to regenerate about every 3 days.

After re-thinking, a 12" x 52" 2.00 cu. ft. ( "64,0000 grains" ) cubic ft unit may be fine for you. With city water, bigger won't hurt. It will be slightly more efficient, but 2 cuft would be about right.

 

[ditttohead]

That system is easily repaired and could work for another 20 years but... I think you got your moneys worth out of it. Updating to a larger system is a good idea. Agreed, 12x52 or 13x54 system would be best the efficiency gains would be beneficial.