Time for softener/neutralizer system

[pete c]

Well, way past time actually.
Over the last decade, I have repaired numerous pinholes in copper pipe, replaced a new bock indirect heater (coiled corroded causing potable water to pressurize the boiler). Replaced that with a different indirect which has a replaceable coil. Well, that coil is stil perfect, but the tank itself is leaking somewhere, slowly.

I have decided to buy an electric water heater as I believe with the cost of oil, going to electric so I don't have to run the boiler all year probably makes sense.

Anyway, I did have a water test done a number of years ago. My water is hard and acidic, so I need a softener and neutralizer. I went by lowes and HD. neither had a neutralizer or anyone working there with a clue. yeah, big surprise there.

Went to sears. The guy there seemed to think that sears no longer sold a neutralizer. Their website says otherwise. he recommended I go ahead and install the softener, then check the water and go from there. Research I have done on the web, says this ain't such a good idea because the softener will not work well on acidic water and that I needed to have the neutralizer in place ahead of the softener.

I am handy and am a fan of buying stuff used for pennies on the dollar through CL.

Can I do this? Should I just bite the bullet and my checkbook and hire a pro?

Ideally, I wouldn't mind paying someone a consultation fee and do the work myself.

Any recommendations appreciated.

Pete

[mialynette2003]

You can buy both (new)online and save a lot of money. I just shipped a softener and neutralizer and saved the person $650.00.

[pete c]

You can buy both (new)online and save a lot of money. I just shipped a softener and neutralizer and saved the person $650.00.

thanks.

any recommendations?

[mialynette2003]

I don't know the sales practices of any online seller so I don't recommend any of them. They are very easy to find, cause type in the type of valve you want to use, Fleck, Clack, Autotrol, Canature etc are all good valves.

[Mikey]

I'm reluctant to recommend any on-line seller because no matter who I recommend I'm sure to incur the wrath of one or more of the pro's here. That said, I've done business with cleanwaterstore and have been happy. I've also done business with a couple others and have not been happy; PM me if you'd like more detail. CWS offers PDFs on "How to Treat Acid Well Water" and "The Definitive Guide to Well Water Treatment" that seem pretty comprehensive, advice via live chat and telephone, free shipping on orders over $100 (you'll be well over $100 ) and of course they sell complete systems. Googling "acid neutralizer systems" results in over 600,000 hits, with these guys at the top of the list. (Of course, being at the top of the Google list says nothing about how good they are at what they do, just how good they are at getting to the top of the Google list.) Disclaimer: I am not a pro, not in the business at all, and not affiliated with any person or company in the business.

I'm not so sure about CL. I've had good and bad luck there. At least you get a chance to kick the tires, so to speak, if somebody is selling a complete system. There are obvious risks, and maybe some not-so-obvious risks. But if the guy is seling a system that's installed and working properly, not too old, with name-brand components, for pennies on the dollar, and you are in fact handy, go for it. The very worst that can happen is the tanks rupture and the valve/controllers need to be rebuilt, but that's not likely. In these troubled times, I've seen such systems being sold out of a home that's been foreclosed or otherwise sold under pressing circumstances, where the homeowner is trying to squeeze out a few extra bucks; often a good deal. But I've heard of such deals where the seller really didn't have the legal right to sell the stuff -- he was renting the home or buying the system on time, had closed on selling the home and was cheating the buyer out of the water system, whatever. You're on your own there. If he says he can deliver and shows up with all the parts and pieces in the back of a pickup truck, I'd be reeeaal careful.

Good luck.

[pete c]

Got back water test from CUNO. Here are the results.

pH - 6.26
TDS - 252 PPM
turbidity - .14 NTU
Hardness - 7.6 GPG
Iron - <.05 PPM
Manganese - <.05 PPM
Copper - .11 PPM
Sodium - 31.1 PPM
Tannin <.10 PPM
Alkalinity - 50 PPM

Their recommendation is:

Aqua Pure acid neutralizer APUN101
Aqua Pure whole house filter AP902
Aqua Pure water softener CWS100ME