Water Softener Hardness level

[2pogi]

Hello,

I am looking for some feedback from all current water softener owner.

Just got my water softener installed but there are few suggestions as to what hardness level I should be setting for Calgary NW water.

Any suggestions?

hardness level - 1-30?
salt usage - HE or HC ?

Thanks

[codetrap]

I'm HE and I *think* 20 grains? If I remember off the top of my head. I'm also using Potassium instead of Sodium.

I do remember there's a calculation you can do based on a hardness test.. then adjust for your comfort.

[The_Rural_Juror]

What is the difference? My Kinetic installer told me to use the common $5 per bag variety.

[r3ccOs]

I use salt, doesn't matter if its pellets or not....

I can't remember the benefits of potassium other than the addition of potassium lol.

I use 18 as the hardness, as that's what was recommended, because that really just defines how many gallons of water of water before it regenerates.

As Calgary's maximum water hardness is 17.5, setting to 18 "should" be sufficient.

http://www.calgary.ca/UEP/Water/Page...dness-FAQ.aspx

I also set mine to regenerate at 8 days if that amount of water isn't reached, as you don't want to ruin your beads.

I also only fill the brine tank to about just over half, and top it up monthly. This prevents salt bridging from occuring.

[fajita123]

I have a Kinetico in the place we bought this spring. Where is a good place to find filters for them in Calgary (NW preferred)?

[suntan]

I live in the NW and have mine set to 14. Had it at 15, eased it back a bit to see what I really needed. 13 is too low I find during certain times of the year.

[2pogi]

Originally posted by The_Rural_Juror
What is the difference? My Kinetic installer told me to use the common $5 per bag variety.

Here is the link for potassium ($25) vs sodium ($5) http://www.wqpmag.com/potassium-chlo...odium-chloride
If you are on a strict salt diet than potassium is better off. (Only if you have your drinking water line running from the water softener). If not, there is no point of buying potassium chloride. Waste of money and there is no benefit.

I am going to set my hardness to 15 with HC and see what happen.

[codetrap]

2pogi. Like urine, I drink it because I like the taste.

In seriousness, I have a bypass set up for my outside water that I cut in periodically. The potassium in the water is great for the plants and the grass. Since I wash my vehicles on my lawn, I find that the potassium works better than the sodium.