Where to buy water softener?

[mmn_slc]

I'm new here, though I've been lurking for a while. I'm looking for a new water softener. I've done some research and I have decided on what I'd like. I plan to install it myself.

My municipally-supplied water has a total hardness of 16 gpg (Hach 5-EP) and a pH of 7.5. Negligible iron. 400 gpd usage. I have a whole-house sediment filter and a reverse osmosis system.

However, I'm finding it difficult to find what I want. Can anyone recommend a seller? For a relatively simple and common product, I'm surprised that it is so difficult to find sellers with comprehensive and flexible offerings. Plus, there is so much marketing BS. Many sellers seem to slap their own sticker and brand on a system built from common components and then proclaim that it is somehow different or special.

Here's what I'd like: Fleck 5810 valve with xtr2 controller (part 581008-001), 12x52 or 13x54 resin tank, 10% crosslinked resin. I'm interested in quality parts for the "minor" components, such as the screens, riser tube, brine tank and its components, etc.

Thanks for your help.

 

[ditttohead]

I work with many reputable companies, I will send you a PM.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[mmn_slc]

I work with many reputable companies, I will send you a PM.

Thank you!

 

[shirl001]

I work with many reputable companies, I will send you a PM.

Could you send me the list too? I'm also looking to get a water softener system to replace my Kinetico Quad K51.
Thanks,

 

[jaaypns]

I work with many reputable companies, I will send you a PM.

Hi Dittohead, Please could you send me the info as well. I am looking for preferably local dealers around zip code 95377. Online recommendations are also ok.

 

[Bryceslu]

HA! I’m in the same boat. Why is it so hard to find a fleck or clack valve system I can buy myself (that isn’t a 5600). Any and all local plumbers and water treatment specialists want 2x at the minimum the money for a softener. Also wondering what resources on this site we have for purchasing something like this.

 

[bingow]

...and the list keeps growing. I'm looking for a 64k-80k softener to battle our 62gpg hardness, and have to agree it's like buying a used car out there: smoke and mirrors. I'm currently most interested in ordering from the afw.filters.com site, having see some positive comments about them. Anyone else? Thanks,

 

[Bryceslu]

Well I almost pulled the trigger on affordablewater. But after reading a lot on this board I’m not so sure that’s the best bet. But it’s almost the only place I can get a 5812 on a softener and a catalyzed carbon filter.

 

[bingow]

I work with many reputable companies, I will send you a PM.

Hello, I just got off a chat line with AFWFilters and got steered away from the Fleck 5800 due to non-specific reasons (I did not press) although they had it on one of their new softeners. Hmmm. PM if you like, also my zip is 88312, semi-isolated, and that's why I've been looking online. Really appreciate your inputs to this forum.

 

[Bryceslu]

Is AFWFilters a reputable source for quality components?

Also that’s the first I’ve seen of someone saying to stay away from the 5800 series.

 

[bingow]

Is AFWFilters a reputable source for quality components?

Also that’s the first I’ve seen of someone saying to stay away from the 5800 series.

Good question, but in contacts so far (chat sessions), their response has been straightforward and helpful, although their comment about the 5800 is indeed bothersome. Another source here said maybe it was the 5810 series. If you have other sources about the reliability of the 5800 series, especially the 5800SXT, could you share? Like the OP @mmn_slc I'm looking.

I'm just now weaning myself from the Big Box mentality and realizing you can "design" a softener.
Right now, it's: 5800SXT, 80K grain SST-60 resin single resin tank, which apparantly can be put together like Lego blocks?

 

[Bannerman]

5800 (58xx) is the control valve series which includes specific models 5800, 5810 & 5812. The differences between models is mainly tank diameter capacity and suitability based on the home's plumbing: 5800 (3/4"), 5810 (1") & 5812 (1.25"). The 5800 line is Fleck's newest and most capable series of control valves for most residential applications.

SXT refers to the controller model with SXT being the most common digital control & XTR2 offering a full touchscreen and additional features.

 

[Reach4]

5800SXT is not just a smaller version of the 5810SXT. For example, they have different programming.

The 581oSXT is pretty much a smaller version of the 5812SXT.

 

[ditttohead]

Don't bother with the marketing hype of specialized resins. Unfortunately most of the info you will read online is garbage when it comes to water treatment. Overhyped marketing mumbo jumbo, I should know, I have worked for the companies that make crazy claims and we have learned how to manipulate the math to make any piece of equipment "the most efficient ever!".

 

[bingow]

Don't bother with the marketing hype of specialized resins. Unfortunately most of the info you will read online is garbage when it comes to water treatment. Overhyped marketing mumbo jumbo, I should know, I have worked for the companies that make crazy claims and we have learned how to manipulate the math to make any piece of equipment "the most efficient ever!".

OK, but hype or not, what resin would you recommend for the system I referenced above, with my #1 priority being lowest salt usage. I will tolerate a higher priced resin and a little more waste water to achieve that. The AFW rep, and some other online sources, said SST-60 (Purolite) was best for that. I'm all ears... but for the moment I've gotta go fix a riding mower flat.

 

[ditttohead]

You keep going back to the "most efficient"... why? When you start getting into the "most" realm, it starts to get into silly territory when it comes to many items. Especially when we are talking about the difference being so minimal that any gains are nearly incalculable. If you are willing to pay twice as much to save $2 a year and have lower water quality and lower life expectancy of the equipment... Every company has "the most efficient" design, this is mainly just marketing hype. Here is an article I wrote years ago on the topic, definitely worth the read.
https://view.publitas.com/impact-water-products/2018-catalog-final/page/164-165

 

[bingow]

Thanks ditttohead (finally noticed 3 t's). I did try a quick look at your article, but I need to enlarge the print up to at least a 12 font (will work on that later).

OK: here's a restatement of what I'm trying to do, and no, I'm not willing to pay twice as much to save $2 a year. Currently, with 62gpg hardness (negligible iron), and a wimpy, 15 yr-old, 30k grain cabinet style softener (big mistake), I'm using 200# salt/mo. I want to reduce that to the minimum practical (vs "most efficient"?) I am willing to spend serious $ to achieve that, and am in the process of making more room for a larger unit, but can not accomodate twin tanks. We're going to a tankless water heater to gain the space. So, in addition to going to at least a 80K grain softener, I understand that the resin choice can have a noticeable bearing on salt usage? Is that an incorrect assumption? I am reconsidering going with the SST-60 due to it's extreme expense, unless it would have an extraordinary life: I'll need to do more research.... What resin would you suggest, or that it simply doesn't matter?

 

[ditttohead]

The efficiency claims are pie in the sky... in the real world the actual efficiency is very slightly higher than standard resin. For the most part we don't even recalculate the systems for the different resins unless it is in a huge commercial application.

At 62 GPG, here are my calculations for reasonable efficiency while still maintaining high quality water.

62x1.3 compensated hardness = 80 GPG, assuming 4 people in the house, 80 GPG x 240 GPD x 7 days= 134,400 Grains would be the ideal system size. This is obviously not a reasonable size so lets go with the largest residential size that maintains some normalcy.

Lets go with a 16x53 tank with 3 ft of resin, (96,000 Grains), actual grins under normal salting will be 72,000 grains. This will get you to about 900 gallons between regenerations. With a little tweaking you can increase the efficiency. This should get you to 3-4 days between regenerations. If you have fewer people in the house the calculations will be more favorable.

 

[bingow]

Two senior people but 160-200 gpd inside use estimated* on the high side (outside faucets are all direct from the well), so my original calculation was 12k grains/day. Also it would help to keep the brine tank height at 33" or lower, or I gotta figure an easier way to load it.

*There is a "best seller" meter for under$50, and I'm thinking it might be wise to get one to nail down our usage.

 

[Reach4]

Two senior people but 160-200 gpd inside use estimated* on the high side (outside faucets are all direct from the well), so my original calculation was 12k grains/day. Also it would help to keep the brine tank height at 33" or lower, or I gotta figure an easier way to load it.

The brine tank does not have to be in the same room with the softener. Maybe it could even go in the garage, tho there could be temperature considerations. Would sure make loading salt easier.

60 GPD per person is a typical estimate. Many people use more like 40 GPD/person.

16 x 65" would hold more, but may have disadvantages including harder shipping and need for a ladder to program the valve. Anyway, with 2 people, the 52x16 seems like a good fit. There is also 14x64 which would have those same height disadvantages.