Softener size and unit?

[Jaylivi]

I want to purchase a softener soon and would appreciate suggestions on which softener to go with, and what size.

Currently, I have BB sediment, carbon and iron filter followed by a UV light. My latest test results were:

ph 7.3
cond 930 ms/kl (have no idea what this is)
sulfate 213 mg/l
nitrate: 0
iron .0023 (this was 2.61 mg/l prior to the BB iron filter)
hardness: 318 mg/l

There are only two of us and we have three bathrooms. We use about 80 or 90 gallons per day. I would like to have some spare capacity for when we host visitors. According to a calculator I used, it recommended a 40,000 grain capacity. Would this be appropriate?

As for the model, I have been looking at the Fleck 5600sxt. Any thoughts are appreciated!

 

[Reach4]

With 19.6 grains hardness a 1 cubic ft size with a 9" x 48" tank would be enough for your water use and a little more. You are considering a 1.25 cubic ft unit with a 10" x 44" tank "40000 grain", which is very nicely sized to your use and a little more still. I might opt for a 1.5 cubic ft 10" x 54" tank, which takes the same floor space, since my overhead space is not used for something else. A 1.5 cubic ft softener is called a "48000 grain" softener, although you would usually want to set it up to produce 30000 grains of softening, but to use much less salt per grain of softening.

Your choice will do a fine job.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[ditttohead]

The 5600SXT will do you fine for many years. I would recommend using a USA made Structural or Enpress tank, not one of the much cheaper import tanks. Same for the brine tank, either Structural or Clack.

 

[Jaylivi]

Thank you for your time, Reach! I'm going to go with the larger 1.5 unit.

 

[Reach4]

Here is a potential list of settings, presuming BLFC=0.5; that is a pretty common thing for some reason.

System info (not programmed)
salt lb/cuft = 6 ; A choice ( efficiency vs capacity)
BLFC = 0.5 ; Brine Refill rate GPM
cubic ft resin = 1.5 ; ft3 resin = (nominal grains)/32,000
Raw hardness = 20 ; including any compensation
Estimated gal/day = 90 ; 60 gal per person typical calc
Estimated days/regen = 16.7 ; Computed days ignoring reserve

Fleck 5600SXT Settings:
DF = Gal ; Units
VT = dF1b ; Downflw/Upflw, Single Backwash
CT = Fd ; Meter Delayed regen trigger
NT = 1 ; Number of tanks
C = 30.0 ; capacity in 1000 grains
H = 20 ; Hardness-- compensate if needed
RS = rc ; rc says use gallons vs percent
RC = 90 ; Reserve capacity gallons
DO = 28 ; Day Override
RT = 2:00 ; Regen time (default 2 AM)
BW = 5 ; Backwash (minutes)
Bd = 60 ; Brine draw minutes (if injector #0 Injector - Red)
RR = 5 ; Rapid Rinse minutes
BF = 6 ; Brine fill minutes
FM = usually t0.7 ; flow meter, make note of what is there