Cabinet Model Design - Pros and Cons
The only pro is they take up a little less space than separate Resin tank and separate Brine tank ( although small square brine tanks installed right next to Resin tank would not take up more space ).
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Con, it's very difficult to work on the Valve and Resin tank when it's inside a cabinet. Very hard to grip the Tank and unscrew the Valve head.
Con, when it's time to change the RESIN ( 10 - 20 years ), it's very difficult, because you can't just lay the Resin Tank "down" to dump out the RESIN.
You have to suck out the Resin from the tank, and then remove the tank ( if you don't have too much SALT holding it in place ) to finish cleaning out the tank before adding new Resin.
Con, the salt water will weakness the polyglass Resin tank over time. They have been known to "rupture" ( below salt level ) after 10 - 30 years.
Con, it's nearly impossible "clean" the brine tank area since the RESIN tank is sitting in the tank ( and the valve is connected to your plumbing ).
Con, the salt is more likely to "bridge" due to the size and shape of the salt area.
see example Below.
* Those are the first problems that come to mind when I think "cabinet".
Aside from "looks", the design is flawed in many ways
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Bridging Problem ===
Salt may be Bridged ( become solid ) above water that is at the bottom of the salt tank.
If you have been using Pellet salt for many years you could have a lot of undissolvable
residue at the bottom. This residue will not dissolve and also can block water flow in and out
of the salt tank.
