Neutralizer Material Level Unchanged After 7 Months--Channelling??

[DYI13]

Back in October 2016, I vacuumed out the calcite from my 14 year old Kenmore Acid Neutralizer ( 625.348241) and refilled it with a magnesium oxide/calcite mineral (Master's NS mix) due to low PH (untreated was around 5.5). That did the trick, brought the PH to lab-tested 7.2. Now, 7 months later, I checked the mineral level and, much to my surprise, it is unchanged from 7 months ago. Used my test strips, and it looks like my untreated water is around 5.5-6 and treated is definitely better, right around 7, so it appears to be working fine.

Is it possible for NS mix to have a bridge? Is it possible that very little NS mix is being used? My neutralizer backwashes 3 times per week.

I am paranoid about the PH level because I also have an indirect water tank, which had to be replaced last year after only one year of use. The sacrificial anode was completely eaten away and the domestic hot water coil had at least one pinhole leak. It almost voided my warranty.

Thank you for reading, and please let me know any action you feel I should take.

 

[Reach4]

Are you measuring the level by back-lighting the tank? If so, you could back-light during a backwash, and see if the level rises and moves around during back-wash. If that is the case, clearly you are not suffering from a solidification problem.

7 pH also sounds to me as if things are great, and consumption is low. I am not a pro.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Smooky]

If the pH is in the correct range, I would not worry about it.

 

[ditttohead]

Agreed. It really can take very little media to correct pH. It also depends on how much water you are using, temperature etc.

 

[DYI13]

Thank you all so much for your replies. I measured the mineral by opening the top and using a yardstick. Tried to back-light it today, but I cannot see through the heavy plastic.

Since the PH seems ok (might get a lab test versus my test strips, which measured in .5 intervals), I will not worry about it.

Again, thank you!!

 

[Reach4]

If your tank is black or blue, it is painted, and you won't get light through. If the tank is tan, a darker room and/or a brighter flashlight may do it for you .

Hydrion O67 might give a tad more resolution.

http://www.microessentiallab.com/ProductInfo/F01-SHTRG-055080-SRD.aspx