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Water Softener ( Conditioner ) Sizing

The average residential application ( your single family residence ) will get good flow through any commonly sold size tank ( 8" , 9" , or 10" diameter ). So, the most important consideration is always the quality of the water to be treated.


What is the Hardness ( in grains or 17.1 ppm equals one grain )?

What is the Iron level in ppm ( if there is any in your source )?

Each ppm of Iron should be added to the hardness total as 5 grains of hardness when calculating the amount of resin ( size of tank ) needed, or when calculating the total "working capacity" of your tank before it will need to be regenerated ( critical to know when "setting" the metered demand regeneration valves common today ).
For example:
18 grains hardness plus 2 ppm Iron would give you 28 grains when deciding how large of a system you would need.


Here is a basic guide to which common size to choose:

Between 5 - 15 grains, use a 24,000 grain ( 3/4 cu.ft. ) tank ( typically 8 x 44 inches ).

Between 16 - 35 grains, use a 32,000 grain ( 1.0 cu.ft. ) tank ( typically 9 x 48 inches ).

Between 36 - 50 grains, use a 48,000 grain ( 1.5 cu.ft. ) tank ( typically 10 x 54 inches ).

Between 50 - 65 grains, use a 64,000 grain ( 2.0 cu.ft. ) tank ( typically 12 x 52 inches ).

Between 66 - 100 grains, use a 80,000 grain ( 2.5 cu.ft. ) tank ( typically 13 x 54 inches ).

NOTE: Oxidized iron, Tannin color, low pH acid water, and Hydrogen Sulfide Odor all require additional media or filtration equipment.
Please e-mail us if you have questions about your equipment needs.


Please provide the answers to the following questions when you contact us.

How many people use the water in your home?
What is the hardness level of your water before any filters? ( grains per gallon or ppm )
What is the iron level ( if any ) of your water before any filters? ( ppm = Parts Per Million )
What is the pH level of your water from the source ( before any filters )?

* Additionally ( though Not necessary for the "sizing" of the Resin Tank ):

If there is "Odor" in the water,
What is the level of Hydrogen Sulfide ( ppm )?
This would be needed before we could recommend a separate filter for that,
since a water softener ( and resins ) do nothing to remove H2S gas from the water.

Or if source is chlorinated "city" water,
What is the level of chlorine ( ppm )?
Carbon filtration is commonly used to Remove Chlorine from the water.

* What "color" is the water when first drawn ( before any iron oxidizes )?
Some Well Water Sources have "Tannins" = Reference the Tannin Removal Resin for more details.
Feel free to send photos if you have questions about color removal.


** Recommended Maximum Number of Days between Regenerations?

Resin manufacturers have always recommended that RESIN be backwashed / regenerated once every 7 - 10 days ( or more often ).
Otherwise, you can get "channeling" of the resin bead... water will find "paths" that are easier for flow, and not actually get "treated" by the entire Resin Bed.
The result is hard water "bleed through".

And if the water source is chlorinated, the resin will Swell and Fragment over the years.
The fragments will "pack down" at the bottom of the tank ... clogging the bottom distributor, resulting in loss of water pressure / reduced flow rate.

This is why it's proper to SIZE a Resin tank, such that it "requires" Regeneration once or twice a week.
Over sizing a unit ( that only "needs" to regenerate once or twice a month ) will reduce the "quality" of the conditioned water, and will shorten the life ( but only slighty ) of the Resin.



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