Replies

1. 
   rez | Apr 29, 2008 06:06pm | #1

   Greetings Jackall,

   This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again which will increase it's viewing.

   Perhaps it will catch someone's attention that can help you with advice.

   Cheers

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   Click here to visit the beginning of Breaktime

2. 
   DanH | Apr 29, 2008 07:27pm | #2

   There is one legit (and expensive) salt-free system that uses an air mixing system and reaction chamber to precipitate the hard stuff out of the water. Otherwise the stuff is all bogus.

   What is wanted is not the will to believe, but the will to find out, which is the exact opposite. --Bertrand Russell
3. 
   McPlumb | Apr 29, 2008 08:06pm | #3

   The amount of salt that is in softened water is proportional to the amount of minerals you are taking out. At 30 grains hardness going in you would have to drink a gallon of water to get the salt equvilant of two slices of white bread.

   You could look around for Potassium Chloride to use in your softner, as opposed to Sodium Chloride. Then there would be no salt in your water.

   The first step is to get your water tested and determine what needs to be removed, some of the companies will come to your house test your water and make recomendation on the size and type softner you will need. Ask if they know of a source for Potassium Chloride.

   Good Luck

1. 
   DanH | Apr 29, 2008 08:26pm | #4

   You can get potassium chloride at Wally World.
   What is wanted is not the will to believe, but the will to find out, which is the exact opposite. --Bertrand Russell

4. 
   Varoom | Apr 29, 2008 09:57pm | #5

   Here is the website of the company that handles our water treatment:

   http://www.neotecwater.com/

   Their site is simple, has usefull info.

   In order of water passage after our pressure tank that is filled from the drilled well, we have the greensand filter for iron, a salt softener for calcium (the iron has to be removed first), a cartrige filter for sediment and then a UV tube to kill any nasties.

   These units are reliable and relatively maintenace free.  Both the salt and greensand filters have small screens and injectors that are part of the timer mechanism - they need to be cleaned at least every 4-6 mths.  The pot perm used to regenerate the greensand filter is dang expensive.  UV filter is changed every year, the sediment filter every 6 mths.

   If all you need is softening, then you can use the non-salt tablets in a salt softener.  Our treatment company discouraged it as the tablets don't disolve as easily and can form a cone in the storage tank above the brine more easily than the salt.  I tried the tablets once and they were right.  Regardless, I've found once a month you need to drive a rod into the salt/tablets to ensure a cone is not forming.

   Hope that helps, Paul

1. 
   DanH | Apr 30, 2008 12:14am | #6

   In 30 years of using water softeners I've never had a salt bridge form.
   What is wanted is not the will to believe, but the will to find out, which is the exact opposite. --Bertrand Russell

1. 
   Varoom | Apr 30, 2008 04:44pm | #7

   No kidding?

   My brother is on well water as well.  He was amazed that his salt was lasting so long, hadn't added a bag in a year .... until I told him to poke down into the salt ...

   Broke the cone and down went the salt ... he had been wondering why he was getting scaling on the bath taps.

   Paul

1. 
   DanH | Apr 30, 2008 05:40pm | #8

   No kidding. Have always used Morton's pellets. Three different softeners -- never a salt bridge.
   What is wanted is not the will to believe, but the will to find out, which is the exact opposite. --Bertrand Russell