Water Softener Tip

[RR Fan Dan]

So I replaced my water softener and started eating through a lot of salt. Salt prices have gone up two fold, so I thought I would put it on manual regen, but to my dismay, the manual regen setting only allows 6 days off without forcing a regen. I thought, this is ridiculous, what a money making scam for the salt suppliers. So I unplugged it. Water still flows through the resin and is softened, and the resin gets backwashed when I say so. I have test strips to test hardness, and my nose for if I can start smelling rust, then I just plug it back in and regen, then unplug it again. So far I am only regenerating once per month versus 5 times a month. Problem solved. I thought I would share this if you hadn't thought about doing this.

 

[68gtxman]

I switched from a salt regen water softener to a hydrogen peroxide injection system with charcoal filtration bed. It got rid of all rust and sulphur smell. Now, my blond wife won’t complain that the well water is turning her hair strawberry blonde.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

I switched from a salt regen water softener to a hydrogen peroxide injection system with charcoal filtration bed. It got rid of all rust and sulphur smell. Now, my blond wife won’t complain that the well water is turning her hair strawberry blonde.

I just looked at one online. It said typical usage 1 to 2 gallons of Certified Hydrogen Peroxide at 7% per month. Amazon sells the H2O2 for $27/gallon. Is that correct? Seems to be a higher cost than salt usage. Since I unplugged my softener almost 2 months ago I haven’t added any salt. I was adding 3-5 bags per month when it was constantly regenerating. I typically pay ~$10/bag for rust inhibitor salt.

 

[68gtxman]

I just looked at one online. It said typical usage 1 to 2 gallons of Certified Hydrogen Peroxide at 7% per month. Amazon sells the H2O2 for $27/gallon. Is that correct? Seems to be a higher cost than salt usage. Since I unplugged my softener almost 2 months ago I haven’t added any salt. I was adding 3-5 bags per month when it was constantly regenerating. I typically pay ~$10/bag for rust inhibitor salt.

Yes, I’d say about one gallon per month. I buy direct from a wholesaler for $10 per gallon (5 gallons per shipment MB Industries - MB Industries Store | BOV Bottling| MB Industries). But using the salt/softener, my wife’s hair turns strawberry blonde and I never hear the end of that. Plus, the salt/softener left some rust get through and a lot of sulphur smell too. The H2O2 gets rid of everything.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

But using the salt/softener, my wife’s hair turns strawberry blonde and I never hear the end of that. Plus, the salt/softener left some rust get through and a lot of sulphur smell too.

I see. Well, sounds like a neat setup. I would consider it just for the fact of not having to lug 40# bags of salt around. Just a couple of months ago I hurt my back doing just that. Unfortunately I don’t think i would have enough room in my pump house for installation. Also I read that the H2O2 has a short shelf life, and I like to stock up for end times. Sulfur smell isn’t an issue with my well water. The sulfur smell is from hydrogen sulfide gas caused by bacteria growth. The charcoal media you are using is effective for filtering that out. It’s a cool system you have there, I didn’t know they made Harry home owner versions.

 

[68gtxman]

I see. Well, sounds like a neat setup. I would consider it just for the fact of not having to lug 40# bags of salt around. Just a couple of months ago I hurt my back doing just that. Unfortunately I don’t think i would have enough room in my pump house for installation. Also I read that the H2O2 has a short shelf life, and I like to stock up for end times. Sulfur smell isn’t an issue with my well water. The sulfur smell is from hydrogen sulfide gas caused by bacteria growth. The charcoal media you are using is effective for filtering that out. It’s a cool system you have there, I didn’t know they made Harry home owner versions.

Cramped quarters for my system, as I left the water softener in place (I use it when filling the pool).

 

[QuickBpBp]

I just looked at one online. It said typical usage 1 to 2 gallons of Certified Hydrogen Peroxide at 7% per month. Amazon sells the H2O2 for $27/gallon. Is that correct? Seems to be a higher cost than salt usage. Since I unplugged my softener almost 2 months ago I haven’t added any salt. I was adding 3-5 bags per month when it was constantly regenerating. I typically pay ~$10/bag for rust inhibitor salt.

I put a new water softener system in over the summer cost me $2500. Mine regenerates once a week too and I have used 5 40lb bags in about 8 months so far...

 

[RR Fan Dan]

cost me $2500

 

[QuickBpBp]

The whole corner was a mess with the old system… So it’s all new there including the pressure tank and all the plumbing…so not all the “system”…

 

[toolmanmike]

Mine uses a bag a month. It regen's as needed by gallons used and I can tell when it needs to regen.

 

[QuickBpBp]

Mine uses a bag a month. It regen's as needed by gallons used and I can tell when it needs to regen.

Probably about what mine is using too cause it took a few months BEFORE I started adding to it to maintain it... We do use a lot of water as a household.