Couple softener questions

panteramatt

I have 2 softeners since my well water is so hard. Its still not really drinkable even with them and it my water is turning my tub and other things green so I picked up 2 inline filters. Anyway, heres my questions:

1. How often should it regen? My timers are set but it does it every night!

2. How can I tell if its working? It seems like the salt isnt going down at all. When it was regenning, I looked in the bin and didnt notice any water flowing.

3. Maintanence? Do I have someone come out to clean them? I bought some powder from HD that Im supposed to add to the salt, not sure if it does anything.

4. Any other tips for maintainence or repair?

Bob999

The green stains suggest acidic water that is eroding your copper pipes. Please post an analysis of your water--and if you don't have one that is the first step in determining proper water treatment. Without test results you will not get informed advice. At a minimum the water should be tested for pH, total hardness, iron, manganese, and coliform bacteria.

panteramatt

Ok so I just tested my water. It passed for everything but hardness (100 ppm)and it looks like it tested positive for pesticides. I can taste a big difference in the water though.

VIPlumber

Your report showed pesticides? I wonder who is using them in your area and is too thick to realize that they're polluting the very well they drink from, as well as the drinking water of their neighbours.

Andy CWS

Providing water test results would be helpful. There are really no situations where TWO water softeners are needed in residential water treatment. Timer systems are not at all a good choice.

If you are not using salt during regenerations then you have a function problem with the softener(s).

get your water tested---only then can anyone give you advice on how to set your water treatment system.

Andy Christensen

panteramatt

Why are timer systems not good? The kit I used just basically tells you what you have. Doesnt really break it down for you. How much does a good test cost. Really strapped right now. Im starting to wonder if my tap water killed my dog recently. She died from lymphoma and we always used tap water.

panteramatt

Heres my results.
Lead-no
Pesticides-yes
total nitrate/nitrite 1.5 ppm
nitrite-0 ppm
ph-5 ppm
hardness- 100
chlorine-0
bacteria-0

Bob999

You posted elsewhere that the test results are at the kitchen tap--presumably after the two filters. You also posted elsewhere that only one filter has a brine feed--there is no brine feed for the second filter.

Test results should be provided for the raw water--before any treatment. You also need to remove the control head from the second filter and find out what kind of media is in the second filter.

pH is not reported in ppm--it is reported as a number betwee 0 and 14.

panteramatt

Ok. Well my ph is low so that explains the green bathtub. How can I add calcite to the water? Also, I figured I would test the water where I would be using it at.