Water softeners which is best
- Thread starter TimeFlies
- Start date
I have a Hellenbrand Promate 6 that has been great the past 9 years.
We had a Rheem installed a few years ago and when it comes time to replace it, I'll be looking at Water Boss units. They're made in Columbus OH and replacement parts are supposedly available. I imagine the typical units from Lowes, Home Depot, etc aren't repairable.
The best units are often not the most expensive. As mentioned above, Fleck control heads are really reliable. The mechanical ones (if you can find one) will last at least 25 years! Old school toughness, not much chance of electronic failure due to no electronics.
I suggest against a unit that has an integral salt tank.
There are some excellent discount water softener suppliers online.
Old school timer that I prefer.
Below is a 64,000 grain softener with a modern Fleck timer. Not a bad price.
If you decide to order online, make sure it is packed well. If they drop the tank, it will crack and leak.
https://www.amazon.com/Softener-Upgraded-5600sxt-Metered-Crosslink/dp/B0B5BBP49C/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2JXDHWI2CBWDM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gHe1ZFVVToi-orJ7QfcisRDd-WYGOYD0kwAhXQcCNWi2J4vb6u5JXrD0Fn148W9i1owDAAUDRInSmS9EiggOQE9nPMYzv_YNz5TrM4aeqqo2v78OIpOJnpbO3ylltWQOtn2zw96WI6GSeSSNhq36k4f8BRMZ7kIKt22eoD_QOF5lcNYBOxXd3g43KatMPyXMoDcgMyTr1UWf96viSnlndL0GUjpnImVL5GdF6TNnbcl6GE2U8TxK5XeArRWo3CPnSla0PID5U88Wez0c8jVktn6gxyhpQhj_kXckchpBKH8.tc0FPpra6616nJ5KWE91VWGS6NkHmIp-aVOEHotE9LQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=water+softener+64000+fleck&qid=1777830103&sprefix=water+softener+64000+fleck,aps,183&sr=8-2&th=1
I suggest against a unit that has an integral salt tank.
There are some excellent discount water softener suppliers online.
Old school timer that I prefer.
Below is a 64,000 grain softener with a modern Fleck timer. Not a bad price.
If you decide to order online, make sure it is packed well. If they drop the tank, it will crack and leak.
https://www.amazon.com/Softener-Upgraded-5600sxt-Metered-Crosslink/dp/B0B5BBP49C/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2JXDHWI2CBWDM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gHe1ZFVVToi-orJ7QfcisRDd-WYGOYD0kwAhXQcCNWi2J4vb6u5JXrD0Fn148W9i1owDAAUDRInSmS9EiggOQE9nPMYzv_YNz5TrM4aeqqo2v78OIpOJnpbO3ylltWQOtn2zw96WI6GSeSSNhq36k4f8BRMZ7kIKt22eoD_QOF5lcNYBOxXd3g43KatMPyXMoDcgMyTr1UWf96viSnlndL0GUjpnImVL5GdF6TNnbcl6GE2U8TxK5XeArRWo3CPnSla0PID5U88Wez0c8jVktn6gxyhpQhj_kXckchpBKH8.tc0FPpra6616nJ5KWE91VWGS6NkHmIp-aVOEHotE9LQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=water+softener+64000+fleck&qid=1777830103&sprefix=water+softener+64000+fleck,aps,183&sr=8-2&th=1
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I'm anxious to follow this thread, and see what I can learn, as I want to install a softener in my home.
A long time ago I had a softener in a home, and the controller recycled based on time. I understand some newer units recycle on water use, which makes more sense to me. Any expertise or experience on this?
A long time ago I had a softener in a home, and the controller recycled based on time. I understand some newer units recycle on water use, which makes more sense to me. Any expertise or experience on this?
Yes, it's based on measured consumption and usually hardness in ppm is the baseline for setting how often a regen takes place. Mine does a regen every 1600 gallons or so, and it is set to complete the regen at 2am as to not interrupt usage.
Yes, I was planning to do the installation myself, looks very simple.
We have an Excalibur. Installed in 2010 and still works great. Made in Canada too.
https://www.excaliburwater.com/
https://www.excaliburwater.com/
I suspect this is the standard now. The Rheem we have measures water usage and regens based on that.
These days so many water softeners are made in the same factory with identical parts. Just different colors and covers. Our newer Rheem looked identical to the old Sears unit once you took the top off.
I like Clack, nothing wrong with Fleck. In the US, Clack controls purchase so we get to pay the middle man extra $s.
I used this company in Ontario and it was much cheaper for me especially given the exchange rate. With the tariff caca now, I have no clue what it would cost me but still may be less than an authorized clack dealer in Texas.
FYI, they sell both Clack and Fleck systems.
https://www.cwwltd.com/
GON
$175 Site Donor 2026
A few questions.
City or well water? What is in your water that you are trying to remove? If municipal water, is chlorine added to the water by the municipality? What is your hardness level?
Number one rule of water softener is that it can be removed , not replaced, or replaced, without disruption to the water supply to your home.
If well water is used, the softener must be recharged at a minimum of every 96 hours. You will want a controller that will do that.
My recommendation is to have a plumber prep the home for a water softener. Buy a fleck controller and the resin yourself, and do the install. The resin you pick will have a big impact. Almost no softeners come with the good resin, they almost always come with the cheap resin.
Currently I am running two softeners..one inside, with a fleck controller and will r chard every 400 gallons. I am also running a seasonal outside softener, which I can wheel into the garage when freezing weather approaches.
Whatever you do, think long and hard before calling out a local water softener company. Water softener salespeople often make slimy used car salesman look honorable.
City or well water? What is in your water that you are trying to remove? If municipal water, is chlorine added to the water by the municipality? What is your hardness level?
Number one rule of water softener is that it can be removed , not replaced, or replaced, without disruption to the water supply to your home.
If well water is used, the softener must be recharged at a minimum of every 96 hours. You will want a controller that will do that.
My recommendation is to have a plumber prep the home for a water softener. Buy a fleck controller and the resin yourself, and do the install. The resin you pick will have a big impact. Almost no softeners come with the good resin, they almost always come with the cheap resin.
Currently I am running two softeners..one inside, with a fleck controller and will r chard every 400 gallons. I am also running a seasonal outside softener, which I can wheel into the garage when freezing weather approaches.
Whatever you do, think long and hard before calling out a local water softener company. Water softener salespeople often make slimy used car salesman look honorable.
On a well water system in NC, I had a Watercare unit made in Wisconsin until it crapped out after 21years. Paid Culligan for a new system at a fair price. No issues after two years. Now in PA my water is disgustingly hard.
I have an Aquasure water Softener and I'm happy with it. It uses very little salt and has been great so far, which is 5 years.
My renal property has a softener with a clack controller and a seal failed on the drum thingy, making it leak water into the discharge tube all the time. It was less than 10 years old. So these can fail as well, but the good thing is that parts are a plenty.
My renal property has a softener with a clack controller and a seal failed on the drum thingy, making it leak water into the discharge tube all the time. It was less than 10 years old. So these can fail as well, but the good thing is that parts are a plenty.
At one time hellenbrand was using re labeled Fleck units. Not sure if still the case. Very good units either way.
I installed an Aquasure last year this time to replace my old 25 year old unit. So far so good, uses very little salt.
Had to call support for the same unit for a friend (order issue) and the tech support line is people in California, not overseas. Something to think about too.
Had to call support for the same unit for a friend (order issue) and the tech support line is people in California, not overseas. Something to think about too.
The last time I installed a water softener was about 20 years ago on eBay. I bought a system with a Fleck control valve with one tank and installed it myself. I don't quite remember what model it was. The system still is functional after all these years.