anyone use a water softener??

[The Zigman]

So I finally got my water softener fixed, it hasn't worked in a couple years maybe. Anyway I was wondering if anyone else is using a softener and if so do you bypass the softener for tank water?

I mix RO with my tap water to get the right hardness, and ph. I am using the softened water now, since the thing is working..

I might add a deionizer unit if needed..

Any thoughts?

 

[SubRosa]

Bypass it for tank water. For most fish exchanging calcium or magnesium for sodium is a bad trade.

 

[The Zigman]

I have my feed lines for the tank faucets connected either way, so I can close a valve to bypass the softener, not a big deal...

 

[jpappy789]

Unless yours uses potassium chloride. Either way I prefer to bypass.

 

[The Zigman]

Yeah I switched over to bypass mode...

 

[coach_z]

i remember reading a whole big thread on here which basically said: bypass your softener

 

[MarkInNC]

Sodium Content?

I use a water softener and have no problems. Many people misunderstand what a water softener does. You add salt to most so the common belief is that you are adding salt to the water. That is not correct. The softener uses a brine mix to carry away mineral deposits on the filter media. This brine does its job followed by a backflush, a long term rinse, and a quick rinse.

I tested for sodium several years ago and then again when I started my aquarium and the sodium content of the water supply after the softener is actually marginally lower than water before the softener.

Mark

 

[jpappy789]

My understanding is that the brine tank is only used in the regeneration of the ion-exchange resin, not the actual softening process. The ion exchange is one step and the water passing through the resin goes right out. So bascially...

H2O with Mg2+ and Ca2 ions go in, H2O with Na+ or K+ ions go out. Keep in mind that you need two "soft" ions to replace each "hard" ion. The sodium added depends on the hardness of the water entering.

Once the resin is depleted of sodium (or potassium) a separate solution of aqueous salt from the brine tank is flushed back in thus the previously trapped magnesium and calcium are drained out and the resin is recharged with the salt. This is commercial salt added to the tank which in turn the sodium is eventually entering the water supply.

http://home.minneapolis.edu/~boraaski/C1152%20Handouts/7.%20Water%20Hardness%20Determination%20v.1.09.pdf
http://home.howstuffworks.com/question99.htm
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/157/2/218
http://www.qualitywatertreatment.com/faqs_water_softeners.html#7
http://home.howstuffworks.com/question99.htm

 

[Reframer]

There are times I really appreciate the nerds on this site.

 

[KarlTh]

Why are people who actually understand some basic science nerds? I often wonder. To me, the "nerds" are people who can remember who plays for which football team; a totally useless collection of information.