Thinking of getting a water softener

[Jean_S]

We been in and loved places where the water was very hard, leaving our skin like itchy lizard scales.

[ncrowley]

We use the Flo Pur RV Pro 10000 water softener. As already stated, it used 2 pounds of ordinary table salt to regenerate. The only issue we have had was with the plastic Y at the outlet port. It broke and we replaced it with a metal one. You flush it after regenerating so there should not be salt that would eat up your drain plug. We put a Y just before the hose goes into the water softener and I get drinking and cooking water there. Some people do not worry about the trace salt in the water. It is the same issue when you use a water softener at home. After we started using the softener, we do not get all the water spots and scale we used to get using the hard water out west.

[calewjohnson]

We use a Flow Pur water softener and love it. The first couple of times I regened it, I did not ensure the salt was gone and made a gallon of sweet and salty tea...it was a shock to the system. Now, after I regen, I run the cold water until there is no salt taste... Daughter and wife loves the soft water in the shower.

Cale

[MTPockets1]

rdhetrick wrote:

MTPockets1 wrote:

dbbls wrote:
I considered a softener but i am on a restricted salt diet. Doctor said not to get one.

. There is no salt effect in a water softener. Salt is used as the chemical agent which releases the hard minerals collected during use. After regenerating with salt, any salt residue is rinsed and gone=no salt. Doctor needs to stick to the no salt part which he is qualified, but the softener doesn't contain salt except while regenerating. Don't use water until regen is complete.

Perhaps you should stick to commenting on what you are qualified to answer. Water softeners do in fact add a small amount of sodium during operation - it is this ion exchange that makes them work. During operation, the resin captures a calcium or magnesium ion and releases a sodium ion. During the regeneration process, it swaps back the captured calcium/magnesium ion with a sodium ion.

Granted, it is a small amount, but depending on the extent a person is trying to limit salt intake, it might be significant.

Mayo Clinic FAQ

. I think this supports what I said, using the words insignificant is doctor talk. Doctors are best at covering their butts, proper use and regeneration and the salt is all washed away.

[blkdodge]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

blkdodge wrote:
I also have a water softener
I have noticed that the water heater Anode Rod will get eatin up faster because of the salt.
Just something else to watch out for.

You could swap to an aluminum anode rod..........but it may not protect as well when using softener

I do have an aluminum anode rod and have to replace it roughly every 12 months.

[Old-Biscuit]

blkdodge wrote:
I also have a water softener
I have noticed that the water heater Anode Rod will get eatin up faster because of the salt.
Just something else to watch out for.

You could swap to an aluminum anode rod..........but it may not protect as well when using softener

[2oldman]

dbbls wrote:
I considered a softener but i am on a restricted salt diet. Doctor said not to get one.

That must be a very strict diet. You don't have to drink it.

[Clay_L]

I have the FloPur Mark 8000.
Cost is $220 and includes shipping if bought from the site above. Regeneration is done with a box of common table salt.
It is similar to others like the "On-The-Go" water softener which is the one Camping World sells I believe.

Both are 8000 grain units which means they will last longer without requiring regeneration. Some folks use "Water Sticks" but the biggest one of those I have seen is only 1500 grains.

In AZ where we spend most of the winter the water hardness is about 50 grains per gallon. That means that an 8000 grain unit will soften about 160 gallons before needing to be regenerated. Since we use about 13 gallons of water per day we have to regenerate every 12 days or so.

In our home in CO we have a water hardness of 20 GPG, there the softener will last about a month. It is possible to regenerate using potassium chloride if sodium is an issue.

[blkdodge]

I also have a water softener
I have noticed that the water heater Anode Rod will get eatin up faster because of the salt.
Just something else to watch out for.

[rdhetrick]

MTPockets1 wrote:

dbbls wrote:
I considered a softener but i am on a restricted salt diet. Doctor said not to get one.

. There is no salt effect in a water softener. Salt is used as the chemical agent which releases the hard minerals collected during use. After regenerating with salt, any salt residue is rinsed and gone=no salt. Doctor needs to stick to the no salt part which he is qualified, but the softener doesn't contain salt except while regenerating. Don't use water until regen is complete.

Perhaps you should stick to commenting on what you are qualified to answer. Water softeners do in fact add a small amount of sodium during operation - it is this ion exchange that makes them work. During operation, the resin captures a calcium or magnesium ion and releases a sodium ion. During the regeneration process, it swaps back the captured calcium/magnesium ion with a sodium ion.

Granted, it is a small amount, but depending on the extent a person is trying to limit salt intake, it might be significant.

Mayo Clinic FAQ

[MTPockets1]

dbbls wrote:
I considered a softener but i am on a restricted salt diet. Doctor said not to get one.

. There is no salt effect in a water softener. Salt is used as the chemical agent which releases the hard minerals collected during use. After regenerating with salt, any salt residue is rinsed and gone=no salt. Doctor needs to stick to the no salt part which he is qualified, but the softener doesn't contain salt except while regenerating. Don't use water until regen is complete.

[dbbls]

I considered a softener but i am on a restricted salt diet. Doctor said not to get one.

[SCVJeff]

Got the blue one.. If the resin is properly flushed there should be no salt to damage to any of the plumbing. On the other hand, mineral deposits around the faucets and in the shower are almost gone.

[Old-Biscuit]

Use one (On-The-GO) for 7 yrs. FTng.

No build up on faucets, no excessive water spotting in shower, no scaling in porcelain toilet bowl and minimal scaling in water heater.

Not worth a hoot for making coffee........:B

On-The-Go, Flow-Pur, WaterStick make portable softeners.
8000 grains and 10,000 grains are popular sizes.

[YC_1]

Ditto: And grab some quick disconnects and one short jumper hose for backwashing and regenerating. Ours works great.