Our water is extremely gross/hard and I'm considering putting in a water softener.

Has anyone done this? If so, can you offer any advice such as: Brand types? Sizing? Maintenance/Upkeep?

TIA

I suggest a dual tank. Size will depend on hardness and demand. One that meters water usage for regeneration and with Fleck valve will be the best choice. Most of your major 'brands' will use this brand of valve. Thats the most important part in my opinion, everything else is just a storage tank and resin.

just don't buy one from john moore. their prices on softeners are starting at over $2500. plus installation.

So the steps are:

1) get water tested for hardness, chemicals, etc
2) find out how much volume I use
3) size softener appropriately for usage and hardness
4) install softener
5) profit?

What benefit does dual tanks offer that a larger single tank doesn't?

I'm planning on installing it myself, so I'm not worried about installation costs.

Thanks for the input, I'm off to a good start!

Well, it takes about 30-35 minutes (I think, i haven't sat and watched) to regenerate a tank to continue softening water. That's no problem, unless you happen to be taking a bath at that time. Not to mention you really don't want any hard water going through your pipes. Dual tanks have valves that reach the gallons used set point, start regenerating and flip to the other tank simultaneously so you have continuous soft water.

The hardness of the water will not dictate the softener size as far as I know, that number will be used to dial in how long you can go on a tank before its 'used up' and needs to be regenerated...you need to know how much resin you have, hardness, and a couple of other variables that escape me now.

See if someone here can recommend a good company to talk to and call them. They can explain all of this better than I can probably.

The volumes you use will have some weight on the size of the softener you get. Obviously, if you don't use much water, then you don't need the 'capacity' that the Duggars would need with 19 kids or whatever the hell they are up to now and you could buy a unit more suited to YOUR needs.

[This message has been edited by jed1154 (edited 3/5/2010 9:47a).]

I had a RainSoft system put in when we moved in and have been pleased with it. Kind of expensive though.

Thanks for all the great tips! I'll give rainsoft a call and pump them for information and see if i can purchase JUST the system or something.

I'll be sure to post what I learn from them.

Be sure to tell them I referred you if you have them come do a demo. Ill get like 5 years worth of soap from them and I love their soap

Aqua Pure by Cuno make some of the best ones on the market, and are sold mainly though wholesale. I can get you one with everything you need for about $1200.

email cwboyd at mooresupply.com