What does everyone think of this softner/filter

[davesnothome]

http://www.waterfilter-usa.com/natur...ins-p-361.html This was in the house when we bought it. Are they any good? or just a big filter.

[Cass]

I'm not sure on that one there is nothing that explaines how it works...I suspect magnets...but....

[Cass]

What do you think of your water quality compaired to where you lived last...was your water hard and did you have a softner...

[davesnothome]

I have not really noticed anything...The pre filter, I just replaced and it was caked with a dark sediment so I guess its doing its job. Im just wondering if over time that however this thing works will it cause restrictions in my water flow? I assume it collects something from the water somehow, but it has no backwash...so it has to plug up eventually. The plumber who was out to my house said they are useless...period, end of story. It was here when I moved in, and I can see they are expensive to buy...would I buy one, probably not. Just wondering what others think of them?

[Cass]

I suspect the same thing...

[Gary Slusser]

http://www.waterfilter-usa.com/natur...ins-p-361.html This was in the house when we bought it. Are they any good? or just a big filter.

It uses a mineral called Softsorb etc. which is very very expensive and has an operational life of 5 yrs. There is very little in the bottom of that tank, maybe 18"-20" or a bit more.

It is supposed to make hard water act like softened water. They don't do a good job of that or get anywhere near softened water.

They are not "Salt Free" softeners because they do not remove any hardness, iron, manganese etc. etc. as a softener does.

From that web site;

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The Pelican NaturSoft system utilizes a commercial grade media granule, offering you superior performance and unlimited lifespan.
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That unlimited lifespan is an outright lie. The manufacturer and the supplier I bought a small one from for testing both say 5 years. And if I wanted to hunt for it, I could find the manufacture's spec sheet that I have for it.

[Peter Griffin]

There are a couple other companies marketing these same type units, Watts being the one that comes to mind. Though they have some sucess, it is important to note that not only does the media have a finite life (usually around 5 years, depending on the severity of the water conditions) they all are only useful for marginal water hardness conditions.

[Wally Hays]

I agree with Peter here. I have installed a few of them and if the water conditions are not horrible, they work.

[davesnothome]

Can you get new media for them? and install it yourself? or is it when they reach 5 yrs or so they are garbage? Just curious what then....take it out of the system? Thanks.

[Gary Slusser]

You can replace the media but my wholesale cost is all but $8,000 per cuft bag of it. And a cuft bag of resin delivered to your door is like $115. And your water is nowhere near as nice as softened water. And a softener costs much less to start with.