Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Question About Life Source Water Conditioner and Hard Water and Corrosion

Hello -  I have a water analysis from National Testing Labs I can email you.  I currently have a whole house cartridge filter for sediment and a Life Source water conditioner installed.
Problems I have are corrosion of hydronic heating elements, copper leaching (blue stains in shower), and heavy water spotting on plumbing fixtures from hard water.

We intend to order your 7000-SXT Calcite 2.5 CF to adjust PH. Please advise on an appropriate water softener to add to system. Also, please advise on proper way to integrate acid neutralizer and water softener into current setup (before or after Life Source component?).

Charles


Charles,

The best way would be to have the neutralizer first, then the softener, and then the life source component last.  For the neutralizer, it is best if you used the calcite-blend neutralizer, as it works better on hard water, although in some cases we also recommend a soda ash feeder in place of a neutralizer blend.





For the softener, a Fleck 7000 2.5 CF (which has 80K grain capacity) would work great for your water, and not cut back on the flow rate or water pressure.









 




Here is some more information regarding these systems.


Calcite Neutralizer

A calcite neutralizer filter will neutralize the low pH (acid water) and help eliminate the corrosive effects of the water. Many customers with this type of water used to have blue-green stains from copper pipe corrosion and after installing the neutralizer see their blue stains disappear within a few weeks.

The neutralizer filter comes with everything you need including the calcite and corosex media and simple instructions. Any plumber or person familiar with basic plumbing can install them.

Unlike older style neutralizers our neutralizers use Vortech neutralizer tanks which have an advanced internal screen which eliminates the use of a gravel base, which reduces backwash water used by 30%. A quick once-per-week backwash for 8 to 10 minutes is all it takes to keep the calcite media in good shape.

A top-fill plug and an easy-to-use bypass valve makes adding additional calcite so quick and easy, you don't need a service technician to add the calcite. Most of our customers just add an additional 25 to 50 lbs of calcite once per year, no other maintenance is required.

These neutralizers require little maintenance. Once a year, just add more calcite to the neutralizer tank. Most customers use 25 to 50 lbs. a year at a cost of approximately $50 per year.



Softener 7000-SXT

Enjoy scale free fixtures and appliances with soft water.  No more dry skin or dry hair caused by excess minerals in the water!  Save money by using less soap and laundry detergent and extend the life of clothes, water heater and appliances with soft conditioned water with the Fleck 7000-SXT on-demand softener.

Well designed and reliable, the Fleck 7000SXT Electronic Meter-Demand Valve provides larger 1-1/4" internal ports for the best flow rates and least pressure drop, making this valve perfect for use in larger homes with 1", 1-1/4", or even 1-1/2" plumbing.  No matter what size home you have, there is less pressure drop through this softener than other residential softeners.

The new 7000-SXT softener uses less salt by monitoring the amount of water used in the house and regenerating only when necessary.  If there is a power failure it can keep the correct time up to 48 hours.  Also, the system keeps time electronically, so the drive motor only runs during regeneration, saving energy and lasting longer than other softeners with standard timer motors.

We recommend a Calcite Neutralizer, followed by a Softener. To ensure against sediment or large grit from the well, we recommend a 60 mesh pre-filter first in line.


Flow Diagram

Here is a diagram of a typical installation. These systems are designed to be easily installed by any plumber or person familiar with basic plumbing:  





              
Neutralizer 7000-SXT Calcite 1.5 CF


Neutralizer 7000-SXT Calcite uses the higher quality, more expensive Enpress tank with Vortech distributor which allows the neutralizer media to be backwashed at lower flow rates with less water, saving water and energy. Eliminates acidity in the pH range of 6.0 to 6.9 by slowly dissolving Calcite (calcium carbonate) into the water as it flows through the filter.

Dimensions: 10" diameter x 61" height of Filter tank



              


Softener 7000-SXT Meter 48K Grain

Prevent scale and calcium build-up inside pipes; water heaters; fixtures; appliances. Precise electronic meter measures the amount of water used and regenerates the softener based on actual water usage; saving salt and water.

Dimensions: 10" diameter x 61" height filter tank, 18" x 33" brine tank, 1" or ¾" pipe size



Excellent warranty: 10 years on the media tank; 5 years on the control valve.

              


Lakos Twist II Clean 1" NPT 60 Mesh

Lakos Twist II Clean 1" NPT 60 Mesh: TwistIIClean is an easy to use sediment filter for home use. It can remove sand, sediment, and organics from the incoming water supply. Twist-II-Clean pre-filter works better than standard spin-down filters because the filter screen is backwashed from the inside to outside when cleaning. Just a gentle 1/4 TWIST of the handle begins the patented reverse flushing action, and the TWISTIICLEAN backwashes itself from inside-out.