Looking for any information on some good water softener systems for residential use? Thanks

I installed an Aquasure system from Home depot. Been working great for 4 months

Fleck 5600 FXT on Amazon.

I installed a Fleck 5600sxt myself 9 years ago and it's still going strong.

We are on a well and we've got horrible limescale build up, iron deposits in toilets, and very sulfuric smelling water (we've got a special anode rod to remove the smell). Would a Fleck 5600 solve all of these issues?

PSA: if you install a water softener, check the anode in your water heater frequently. I just replaced a 3 year old Rheem (from the supply house, not big box) with a hole in the tank. Apparently, the softened water(sodium) wrecks the anode, then the tank at a much faster rate than hard water.

My softener is a springwell that I have been happy with.

Wait I thought water softeners didn't add salt to the water, but used the salt to refresh the pellets which I'm turn remove the minerals or whatever from the water. The softener doesn't actually make the water salty.

cena05 said:

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Wait I thought water softeners didn't add salt to the water, but used the salt to refresh the pellets which I'm turn remove the minerals or whatever from the water. The softener doesn't actually make the water salty.

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I'm going to try to recall my chemistry, but without the stoichiometric equation.....

It does not add salt to the water. It can add sodium to the water. The salt is NaCl. NaCl is used for ion exchange. You are not adding salt to your water supply but rather exchanging Magnesium and Calcium ions for Sodium ions. Sodium can be an issue for some folks, but you are not adding salt. Salt is only used on the regen process for the exchange. I guess technically you are going to get some salt back in the water supply but it's not going to be distinguishable. I still use the old school SALT. I bought my softener from AquaPure. There was a guy on Texags who sold it to me. He let me buy it, and they basically dropped it off and let me install it myself. It's been going for 6 years along with the UV light and Filter system. Both filter and softener use Clack Valves. I had Fleck on my old system that was 20 years old and it worked fine. Even rebuilt it myself once.

I did a google search after my three year old water heater failed. Water softeners are hard on water heater anodes.

https://kineticosa.com/does-a-water-softener-affect-a-water-heater/

https://caitcocares.com/does-water-softening-promote-corrosion-of-a-hot-water-heater/

Ok good to know,.

I have a Rheem water heater that we just installed a year or two ago. This is the 3rd water heater since 2012 and we are on a water softener... guess I should be checking / replacing the anode.

Any thoughts on something like this vs. a standard anode?

Corro-Protec Powered Anode Rod for Water Heater, 20-Year Warranty, Eliminates Rotten Egg/Sulfur Smell within 24 hours, Stops Corrosion and Reduces Limescale, Electrical Anode Rod Made of Titanium - Amazon.com

I looked at those but am afraid they may void the WH warranty.
I also read some reviews that said some leak. I'll stick with traditional magnesium for now.

We are on well water. After living in house for 6 months, had to replace several internal plumbing parts to sinks, showers, etc. Had a Fleck 9000 installed and it's done great for 8 years and counting. Haven't had to replace any internal plumbing parts since.