jwith
New Member
I'm sorry for another sizing post. I'm looking to install my own water softener. I think I've finally settled on a size and I'm now looking for a controller. I found a local distributor that will custom build a softener with Fleck, Clack, or Autotrol control valves.
Here's my specs:
The water is from an artesian well with the following qualities:
Iron (Tot) 1 mg/L
Iron (Ferric/solid): 0.2 mg/L
Iron(Ferrous/solution): 0.8mg/L
Manganese: 0.2mg/L
pH: 7.2
Hardness: 8 gpg (11.6 gpg compensated for iron & manganese)
There are (2) two adults in the household with an estimated 130 gallons per day. The house is built for a family of 5 and we want to be able to support this. Additionally we have 3 bathrooms with an estimated SFR of 10-15 GPM. I decided to go with a 1.5 cuft softener due to the SFR and future growth. A little extra salt will be necessary for two, but it will grow well with the household. We'll probably dose it with 3-6lbs/cuft and backwash no more than every 10 days. With this setting I think we'll regenerate every 10 days and no sooner. I'd like to push it out further, but with the iron in the water I don't want to have issues with the resin. Any opinions on this?
I have created a spreadsheet for computing efficiency/cost of softener. This is based on qualitywaterassicoates.com sizing guide. I fixed a few bugs and added some other features. Water Softener.xlsx (sorry for the horrible link, I couldn't upload this type of file to the forum)
As for the controller, I'm trying to figure which is best for my application. I currently have 3/4" copper plumbing with a brass ball valve bypass configuration. My well pump can handle 10GPM @ 40PSI (this may be upgraded in the near future). I was thinking about the Fleck 5600SXT or the 7000SXT specifically, because they appear to be the most widely used. The only reason for the 7000SXT was for improved GPM with reduced pressure loss. I'm on well water so every PSI counts. I found some information on the web regarding the Clack WS1, which seemed to have been a favorite for DIY, until they stopped allowing them to be sold online.
When I spoke with the local distributed, they preferred the Clack WS1, and it was nearly $100 less than the 5600SXT. Things that are important to me are: easy to install, well documented installation and configuration, widely used (tried-and-true), reliable (long life without service), easy to service, parts widely available, and not near the end-of-life (parts will continue to be easily accessible).
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Here's my specs:
The water is from an artesian well with the following qualities:
Iron (Tot) 1 mg/L
Iron (Ferric/solid): 0.2 mg/L
Iron(Ferrous/solution): 0.8mg/L
Manganese: 0.2mg/L
pH: 7.2
Hardness: 8 gpg (11.6 gpg compensated for iron & manganese)
There are (2) two adults in the household with an estimated 130 gallons per day. The house is built for a family of 5 and we want to be able to support this. Additionally we have 3 bathrooms with an estimated SFR of 10-15 GPM. I decided to go with a 1.5 cuft softener due to the SFR and future growth. A little extra salt will be necessary for two, but it will grow well with the household. We'll probably dose it with 3-6lbs/cuft and backwash no more than every 10 days. With this setting I think we'll regenerate every 10 days and no sooner. I'd like to push it out further, but with the iron in the water I don't want to have issues with the resin. Any opinions on this?
I have created a spreadsheet for computing efficiency/cost of softener. This is based on qualitywaterassicoates.com sizing guide. I fixed a few bugs and added some other features. Water Softener.xlsx (sorry for the horrible link, I couldn't upload this type of file to the forum)
As for the controller, I'm trying to figure which is best for my application. I currently have 3/4" copper plumbing with a brass ball valve bypass configuration. My well pump can handle 10GPM @ 40PSI (this may be upgraded in the near future). I was thinking about the Fleck 5600SXT or the 7000SXT specifically, because they appear to be the most widely used. The only reason for the 7000SXT was for improved GPM with reduced pressure loss. I'm on well water so every PSI counts. I found some information on the web regarding the Clack WS1, which seemed to have been a favorite for DIY, until they stopped allowing them to be sold online.
When I spoke with the local distributed, they preferred the Clack WS1, and it was nearly $100 less than the 5600SXT. Things that are important to me are: easy to install, well documented installation and configuration, widely used (tried-and-true), reliable (long life without service), easy to service, parts widely available, and not near the end-of-life (parts will continue to be easily accessible).
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!