Home Water Softener Review
What must you consider with purchasing a water softener? Exploring various types,
sizes, brands and comparing prices is a general rule of thumb. You also need to consider what
type of environment the water softener will be set up in, installation requirement, the size,
durability of the unit, and convenience. This site is provided to give you some understanding
on the primary purpose of a water softener, the benefits of owning a water softener, different
types of softeners, and how they work.
The Primary Purpose Of A Water Softener
Although hard water is beneficial to humans, plants and animals it creates problems with build
up of calcium in plumbing pipes, plumbing fixtures and appliances as well as hot water heaters,
which cost Americans hundreds of millions of dollars each year. The negative effect of calcium
bonding to our hair and skin has created a windfall for hair and skin products designed to counter
act these effects. The Primary purpose of a water softener is to neutralize the negative effects of
hard water.
On this site you will find information about the different styles of water softeners that will aid
you in your selection process to determine the right style for you.
Benefits of owning a water softener:
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It allows for up to 50% less soaps or detergents to be used, saving money
Completely removes and prevents 100% of the scale from forming in pipes and
hot water heater.
Longer life of appliances including washing machines, dishwashers, water
heaters and fixtures.
Less use of household cleaning products, such as detergents and dish soaps.
Personal care products, such as shampoo and conditioner.
Reduction of water spotting; cleaner, softer feeling clothes.
How a water softerner works:
Calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) ions that cause water hardness can be
removed by using an ion exchange procedure. Water softeners are cation exchange
devises. Cations refer to positively charged ions. Cation exchange involves the
replacement of the hardness ion with a non-hardness ion. Salt-based water softeners
use sodium (Na+) as the exchange ion. Sodium ions are supplied from dissolved
sodium chloride salt, also called brine. In the ion exchange process, sodium ions are
used to coat an exchange medium in the softener. The exchange medium can be
natural “zeolites” or synthetic resin beads that resemble wet sand. As hard water
passes through a softener, the calcium and magnesium trade places with sodium ions.
Sodium ions are held loosely and are easily replaced by calcium and magnesium ions.
During this process free sodium ions are released to the water. After softening a large
quantity of hard water the exchange medium becomes coated with calcium and
magnesium ions. When this occurs, the exchange medium must be recharged or
regenerated. To recharge the softener with sodium ions, a softener is back flushed with
a salt brine solution. During a back flush the brine solution replaces the calcium and
magnesium ions on the exchange medium with sodium ions from the salt solution. The
time between recharging cycles depends on the hardness of the water, the amount of
water used, the size of the unit, and the capacity of the exchange media to remove
hardness.
Clack Metered softener
(Digital Head)
8X44 24,000 grain
9X48 32,000 grain
10x52 48,000 grain
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Fleck 5600 Metered
softener
8X44 24,000 grain
9X48 32,000 grain
10x52 48,000 grain
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Fleck 5600 day dial
softener
8X44 24,000 grain
9X48 32,000 grain
10x52 48,000 grain
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Autotrol day dial
softener
8X44 24,000 grain
9X48 32,000 grain
10x52 48,000 grain
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The Clack Water Specialist 1.25" Control Valve (WS1.25) incorporates all the latest
technology and design you expect from the Water Specialist line in a control that offers
unbeatable flow rates of 34 GPM at a 15 PSI drop - perfect for light commercial and large
residential applications.
The WS1.25 provides six fully programmable cycles including a second backwash;
programmable using a simple, easy to use LCD display. The control valve also uses
EEPROM memory with battery back up to remember valve settings, which eliminates the
need to reprogram after a power outage.
One of the most interesting aspects of the Clack Water Specialist valve is its revolutionary
design. The valve employs clips, threaded caps, nuts and latch style fasteners for simple
valve servicing that can be performed with a small and large blade screwdriver, pliers and
a pair of hands. These highly designed features make the Clack Water Specialist an
excellent choice in any application.
Clack WS 1.25 Metered
Water Softener
24,000 grain
capacity, demand
regeneration Includes
Bypass Valve
Clack WS 1.25 Metered
Water Softener
32,000 grain
capacity, demand
regeneration Includes
Bypass Valve
Sale Price:
Sale Price:
$585.00
Price
Includes Shipping
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$585.00
Price
Includes Shipping
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Clack WS 1.25 Metered
Water Softener
48,000 grain
capacity, demand
regeneration Includes
Bypass Valve
Sale Price:
$585.00
Price
Includes Shipping
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Clack WS1.25 - 24,000 Grain 8X44 High Flow Metered Water Softener
Clack® Water Specialist 1.25" (WS1.25) digitally metered high flow control valve
• Solid state microprocessor with easy access front panel settings
• Three modes of operation; meter immediate, meter delayed, or time clock delayed
• Up to 34 GPM flows at 15 PSI drop (includes meter)
• 6 fully programmable regeneration cycles
• Double backwash feature offers optimum regeneration, cleaning ability and efficiency
• Days override feature; 1 – 28 days available
• Backwash and brining ability to 22” diameter tanks
• Stores system configuration and operation data in nonvolatile memory
• Coin Cell Lithium battery back-up with an 8 hour carry over
• 12-volt output AC Adapter provides safe and easy installation
• Control valve design provides optimum service and backwash rates
• Reliable and proven DC drive
Structural Poly Glass™ 8 x 44" mineral tank
Clack® 15 x 17" rectangular brine tank
0.75 cu ft 8% cross-link high capacity softening resin
10 feet of 3/8" brine line
20 feet of 5/8" drain line
Media funnel
Complete assembly and installation instructions
Free Upgrades Included!
• Clack® mineral tank jacket
• Clack® 1" bypass valve
• Fleck® 2310 Safety Brine Valve - prevents brine tank overflow
• Salt grid - promotes uniform brining and reduces salt bridging
• System available in your choice of almond, black or blue
PRICE: $585.59
Clack WS1.25 - 32,000 Grain 9X48 High Flow Metered Water Softener
Clack® Water Specialist 1.25" (WS1.25) digitally metered high flow control valve
• Solid state microprocessor with easy access front panel settings
• Three modes of operation; meter immediate, meter delayed, or time clock delayed
• Up to 34 GPM flows at 15 PSI drop (includes meter)
• 6 fully programmable regeneration cycles
• Double backwash feature offers optimum regeneration, cleaning ability and efficiency
• Days override feature; 1 – 28 days available
• Backwash and brining ability to 22” diameter tanks
• Stores system configuration and operation data in nonvolatile memory
• Coin Cell Lithium battery back-up with an 8 hour carry over
• 12-volt output AC Adapter provides safe and easy installation
• Control valve design provides optimum service and backwash rates
• Reliable and proven DC drive
Structural Poly Glass™ 9 x 48" mineral tank
Clack® 15 x 17" rectangular brine tank
1.0 cu ft 8% cross-link high capacity softening resin
10 feet of 3/8" brine line
20 feet of 5/8" drain line
Media funnel
Complete assembly and installation instructions
Free Upgrades Included!
• Clack® mineral tank jacket
• Clack® 1" bypass valve
• Fleck® 2310 Safety Brine Valve - prevents brine tank overflow
• Salt grid - promotes uniform brining and reduces salt bridging
• System available in your choice of almond, black or blue
PRICE: $628.75
Clack WS1.25 - 48,000 Grain 10X52 High Flow Metered Water Softener
Clack® Water Specialist 1.25" (WS1.25) digitally metered high flow control valve
• Solid state microprocessor with easy access front panel settings
• Three modes of operation; meter immediate, meter delayed, or time clock delayed
• Up to 34 GPM flows at 15 PSI drop (includes meter)
• 6 fully programmable regeneration cycles
• Double backwash feature offers optimum regeneration, cleaning ability and efficiency
• Days override feature; 1 – 28 days available
• Backwash and brining ability to 22” diameter tanks
• Stores system configuration and operation data in nonvolatile memory
• Coin Cell Lithium battery back-up with an 8 hour carry over
• 12-volt output AC Adapter provides safe and easy installation
• Control valve design provides optimum service and backwash rates
• Reliable and proven DC drive
Structural Poly Glass™ 10 x 54" mineral tank
Clack® 18 x 33" round brine tank
1.5 cu ft 8% cross-link high capacity softening resin
10 feet of 3/8" brine line
20 feet of 5/8" drain line
Media funnel
Complete assembly and installation instructions
Free Upgrades Included!
• Clack® mineral tank jacket
• Clack® 1" bypass valve
• Fleck® 2310 Safety Brine Valve - prevents brine tank overflow
• Salt grid - promotes uniform brining and reduces salt bridging
• System available in your choice of almond, black or blue
PRICE: $693.68
Fleck 5600 Metered
Water Softener
24,000 grain
capacity, demand
regeneration
Includes a 3/4" or 1"
Stainless Steel
Bypass Valve
Sale Price:
$545.00 Price
Includes Shipping
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details
Fleck 5600 Metered
Water Softener
32,000 grain
capacity, demand
regeneration Includes a
3/4" or 1" Stainless
Steel Bypass Valve
Sale Price:
$585.00 Price
Includes Shipping
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Fleck 5600 Metered
Water Softener
48,000 grain
capacity, demand
regeneration
Includes a 3/4" or 1"
Stainless Steel
Bypass Valve
Sale Price:
$625.00
Price
Includes Shipping
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details
Fleck 5600 - 24,000
Grain Metered Water
Softener
SKU: TC56EM24M
Fleck® 5600 Econominder control
• Metered system regenerates when necessary conserving water, salt, and electricity
• Injector drain module containing the brine valve, flow controls and injector are removable from the
valve’s exterior for easy servicing
• Metered control is easy to program
• Non-corrosive, UV-resistant Noryl® valve body with 1" pilot
• Meter-Demand regeneration
• Excellent valve flow rates – 20 GPM continuous, 26 GPM peak
• Economical – small annual power consumption; keeps the time and activates the piston/valve
mechanics with a single motor
• Backwash capacity handles tanks up to 12" diameter for softener applications
Structural Poly Glass™ 8 x 44" mineral tank
Clack® 15 x 17" rectangular brine tank
0.75 cu ft 8% cross-link high capacity softening resin
10 feet of 3/8" brine line
20 feet of 5/8" drain line
Media funnel
Complete assembly and installation instructions
Free Upgrades Included!
• Clack® mineral tank jacket
• Fleck® 3/4" or 1" stainless steel bypass valve
• Fleck® 2310 Safety Brine Valve - prevents brine tank overflow
• Salt grid for supporting salt above a portion of the concentrated brine solution
• System available in your choice of almond, black or blue
PRICE: $484.11
Fleck 5600 - 32,000 Grain Metered Water Softener
SKU: TC56EM32M
Fleck® 5600 Econominder control
• Metered system regenerates when necessary conserving water, salt, and electricity
• Injector drain module containing the brine valve, flow controls and injector are removable from the
valve’s exterior for easy servicing
• Metered control is easy to program
• Non-corrosive, UV-resistant Noryl® valve body with 1" pilot
• Meter-Demand regeneration
• Excellent valve flow rates – 20 GPM continuous, 26 GPM peak
• Economical – small annual power consumption; keeps the time and activates the piston/valve
mechanics with a single motor
• Backwash capacity handles tanks up to 12" diameter for softener applications
Structural Poly Glass™ 9 x 48" mineral tank
Clack® 15 x 17" rectangular brine tank
1.0 cu ft 8% cross-link high capacity softening resin
10 feet of 3/8" brine line
20 feet of 5/8" drain line
Media funnel
Complete assembly and installation instructions
Free Upgrades Included!
• Clack® mineral tank jacket
• Fleck® 3/4" or 1" stainless steel bypass valve
• Fleck® 2310 Safety Brine Valve - prevents brine tank overflow
• Salt grid for supporting salt above a portion of the concentrated brine solution
• System available in your choice of almond, black or blue
PRICE: $521.99
Fleck 5600 - 48,000 Grain Metered Water Softener
SKU: TC56EM48M
Fleck® 5600 Econominder control
• Metered system regenerates when necessary conserving water, salt, and electricity
• Injector drain module containing the brine valve, flow controls and injector are removable from the
valve’s exterior for easy servicing
• Metered control is easy to program
• Non-corrosive, UV-resistant Noryl® valve body with 1" pilot
• Meter-Demand regeneration
• Excellent valve flow rates – 20 GPM continuous, 26 GPM peak
• Economical – small annual power consumption; keeps the time and activates the piston/valve
mechanics with a single motor
• Backwash capacity handles tanks up to 12" diameter for softener applications
Structural Poly Glass™ 10 x 54" mineral tank
Clack® 18 x 33" round brine tank
1.5 cu ft 8% cross-link high capacity softening resin
10 feet of 3/8" brine line
20 feet of 5/8" drain line
Media funnel
Complete assembly and installation instructions
Free Upgrades Included!
• Clack® mineral tank jacket
• Fleck® 3/4" or 1" stainless steel bypass valve
• Fleck® 2310 Safety Brine Valve - prevents brine tank overflow
• Salt grid for supporting salt above a portion of the concentrated brine solution
• System available in your choice of almond, black or blue
PRICE: $579.66