Water softener question

[Rookie]

We got our softener replaced and the installer set it to 7(he said it's 700 gallons) but we still have hard water and rust. Would I set it higher or lower?

 

[Fargo]

We got our softener replaced and the installer set it to 7(he said it's 700 gallons) but we still have hard water and rust. Would I set it higher or lower?

I think you mean 7 grains. The number refers to how many grains of calcium per gallon it is neutralizing. Upping the number will up the amount of mineral removed. You should have your water tested to see how many grains of hardness it has. The harder your water, the higher the setting should be.

 

[Leadeye]

We got our softener replaced and the installer set it to 7(he said it's 700 gallons) but we still have hard water and rust. Would I set it higher or lower?

What type of salt are you using?

 

[Rookie]

Culligan rust remover

 

[Leadeye]

Good grade of salt, sounds like it going to take more recharge time.

 

[Rookie]

So, move it up past seven?

 

[mrjarrell]

If your rust is bad enough you might need to add a iron filter to your system. We did and it made a real difference.

 

[chezuki]

So, move it up past seven?

Since you want someone to tell you to turn it up...


Turn it up, to at least 11.

 

[bulletsmith]

Do you happen to know the brand of water softener?

 

[Rookie]

If your rust is bad enough you might need to add a iron filter to your system. We did and it made a real difference.

What kind did you install

 

[Rookie]

Do you happen to know the brand of water softener?

Culligan

 

[Fargo]

Culligan

How long has it been installed and running?

 

[Rookie]

A few days. They replaced the old unit after it stopped working and I had to fight with them to get it replaced. I don't think they set it high enough

 

[bulletsmith]

I only ask because you mentioned that you thought it might be set by gallons. Kinetico and others like it use a volume setting to determine when to regen. Keep in mind that you will have to flush all of the water through your pipes and water heater tank before you really know how well your softener is working. Turning might still be necessary.

Use caution with the idea of an "Iron Filter". They take regular maintenance and can harbor a type of slime bacteria that lives on the iron. The only real way to filter out iron is to oxidize it first, using oxygen or an oxidizer like chlorine or peroxide. Somewhat beyond the typical home owners system.

If you have really high iron, you might consider a little iron out sprinkled in your brine tank every couple of bags.

 

[Fargo]

A few days. They replaced the old unit after it stopped working and I had to fight with them to get it replaced. I don't think they set it high enough

Give it a couple of days, if I run mine out of salt it is usually a week or so before I get soft water back. Remember, you have everything in the hot water heater etc. diluting your softened water with hard water.

 

[Knight Rider]

Ironout. 1/4 cup per 40# bag. It really does help.

 

[CZB1962]

Give it a couple of days, if I run mine out of salt it is usually a week or so before I get soft water back. Remember, you have everything in the hot water heater etc. diluting your softened water with hard water.

This ^^^^

In addition, the number is the grains of hardness. What it does behind the scenes is calculate how many gallon of water flow through it between regenerations. Softeners are rated in grains capacity such as 30,000 grain. A setting of 14 would regenerate twice as often (based on gallons) as a setting of 7.

In the old days they used to just regenerate once a week, twice a week, or every other day regardless of how much water was used. It was wasteful.

 

[Fargo]

Are you on Indiana America water? They show Kokomo as between 18 and 20 grains of hardness. You may want to call your Culligan guy and ask him why he has it set for seven.

 

[bulletsmith]

Ironout. 1/4 cup per 40# bag. It really does help.

 

[Rookie]

Are you on Indiana America water? They show Kokomo as between 18 and 20 grains of hardness. You may want to call your Culligan guy and ask him why he has it set for seven.

I'm on well.