Carbon and softener on single valve

[Bryceslu]

I am in the market for a catalyzed carbon filter and a softener and I initially thought I needed to have them on separate valves. I was initially told that an upflow carbon tank would be fine and it would get stirred up when the softener regens, but I have been reading on this site that I should be backwashing the carbon tank separately.

However I just happened to look through the catalog on the website that dittohead has listed and saw the hybrid xl twin tanks running through the same valve. Valve is hooked up to both tanks. https://view.publitas.com/impact-water-products/2018-catalog-final/page/18-19

Does anyone have any experience with this? Seems like it would be an easier alternative to having 2 valves. Only downside I can really think of is the carbon tank will be backwashed twice as often if not more...if that’s even really a bad thing. I have zero experience with softeners so wondering what the pros think of a twin tank twin valve setup vs a twin tank single valve setup for carbon and softener tank. I’m also not sure I understand the water flow through the 2 tanks and the single valve.

Thanks!

 

[ditttohead]

The hybrid stacked units are very popular and effective. The side by side units are disconinued temporarily until we can source a higher quality tank interconnect. The carbon does not mind being backwashed regularly. The only problem is the limited amount of carbon you can do with the stacked tank design. Two tanks, two valves is a better design but takes up more space, it also will typically have 3X more carbon than the stacked hybrid.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Bryceslu]

Yeah I don’t think a stacked will work for me based on low amount of carbon, had someone who sells aqua systems try and talk me into it. I would be looking for a 2 cf catalyzed carbon tank along with a 2 cf resin tank. So the interconnected tanks with 1 valve is a doable option if I can find one? How does water flow through the unit?

 

[ditttohead]

The water goes into the carbon tank first, then to the softener. Not really sure what the question means.

 

[Bryceslu]

Yeah that’s what I was asking. How the water flows through the head and each tank. I was assuming carbon then softener then house but figured I would ask to be sure.
Is it worth trying to find a setup like this or keep on my search of each tank having its own valve?

 

[Bannerman]

Is it worth trying to find a setup like this or keep on my search of each tank having its own valve?

As Ditttohead's company Impact Water is the developer and supplier of that hybrid configuration, as supply is currently discontinued at least temporarily, I anticipate you would be unsuccessful finding a new unit elsewhere.

 

[ditttohead]

We have three manufacturers of this interconnecting head, all are junk. And honestly, it is more about marketing than function. Two heads are definitely better than a single for a multitude of reasons, except for marketing purposes.

 

[Bryceslu]

Haha good to know and thank you for the honesty!