Calgon in potable water tanks

Question

I live in a "hard water" area. So when I fill up my tank from the house I get the "white" salt/calcium buildup in my system. When I drain my tank, I get the white "stuff" coming out in chunks. Also when I drain my water heater, I have to flush it out several times (up to 6 times) in order to remove the buildup.

I was wondering if I could use Calgon water softener to clean out the fresh water tank. I was thinking that I could put the calgon in the external water filter bowl and then turn the water on to get the water into the tank. Not really to fill it up but maybe halfway. Let it sit for a couple of hours or so and then drain it out. Maybe pump a little through the system and drain the tank and blow the lines for the winter.

Then next year I will sanitize the system.

Is there going to be a problem with this plan?

donn0128 · Answer

Calgon is a laundry booster not a potable water softener. To do it right would require thousands in equipment to make soft water correctly. What do you do at home for soft water?
We live on a well at home with arsenic. To fix the problem for the whole house would cost me around 10 grand. Not gonna happen, so I live with the situation. Lucky for us the arsenic level if barely above federal limits and an inexpensive filter system can take care of drinking water for the house. But it cannot produce enough water a day to fill my water tank, so its questionable water for flushing my system.

jrdebono · Answer

Well like you I guess I will just have to live with it.  Or I could spend around 400$ for a portable potable water system.  Which for our current situation is not going to happen any time soon.  I was hoping to find an additive or a filter that would reduce the buildup.

donn0128 · Answer

There are filter systems that will work  they are generally slow and produce a finite amount of water per day.

down_home · Answer

There are whole house filters out there that will take out iron, sulfur magnesium and so on. Calcium won't be taken out, except the stuff that is suspended. As it gathers on the filters it will take some of the dissolved calcium out too.
The filters will take the arsenic too. Our last home had well water, good well water, except it was loaded with calcium and sometimes some sediment. It got the sediment and other things that might have been in it and some, of the calcium.
I've experienced Texas water and a whole house filter will help a lot. You may have to change filters more often than some other places but at least you will be able to drink the water. I even watered my lawn through it. the level of stuff, in you water might load it up quicker though.

johng3 · Answer

We have the rechargable water softener from PPL RV.  Easy recharge, will do 300 to 600 gallons depending on the hardness of the water going in. Easy recharging. If I remember correctly it was $300.

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Calgon in potable water tanks

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