Hi Judith

You might want to consider something that is capable of treating hardness, chlorine and filters that are also capable of treating your TDS like this.

However, TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) are not always a bad thing because it just refers to the total dissolved contents of your water and this includes things like healthy minerals. But a good filter will take out anything harmful and leave in what’s good.

Stay hydrated,
Luke

Hi Taryn

Hmm it’s weird that you keep getting different results and I’m assuming you mean the water hardness results in GPG (grains per gallons).

The issue is that water softener alternatives can not handle medium to extremely hard water. For instance, Aquasana say their salt free softeners can only cope with hardness up to 25PPM (parts per million) which I calculate to be 1.458 GPG and this is pretty typical.

So if you really want your machine to effectively treat hard water then a salt-based softener might be the only way to go.

UPDATE: I personally contacted Pelican on your behalf and waited for their response (hence my slow reply to this comment) and it turns our their NaturSoft® Water Softener Alternative can effectively treat hard water with a 75GPG. So consider something like their Softener Alternative Combo + Pro UV because the UV filter will also effectively treats things like chlorine.

Stay hydrated,
Luke

I’ve been been spending a lot of time talking to sales people and don’t feel like I ever get a straight answer on softener vs. softener alternative. When my water was recently tested by the Pelican rep I was told it was a 6, but I have had other reps tell me as high as 9. Chlorine is more consistent, between 3-4. Live in central Florida, so what what I am reading seems like I would need a salt based softener, but I’m just not sure. I would love to be able to not go that route, no electricity, back wash, etc. Please let me know your thoughts and any recommendations for a solution.

Hi Ken

I calculate 24ppm to be 1.40gpg so salt free softeners are not good for anyone with moderate to very hard water and you should really consider a salt based softener if you have extremely hard water.

If generating soft water is your only concern then a standalone softener is sufficient. However, an integrated softener and filter system will deal with any salt from the softener and filter out anything else in your water making it drinkable direct from the faucet.

Stay hydrated,
Luke

Hi Julie

It sounds like you need a water system that specifically treats the common issues with well water like iron & manganese.

For instance, this, which comes in 1-3 bathroom or 4-6 bathroom options.
OR
Consider something like this that treats well water along with a salt free softener (great choice if you have hard water too). Aquasana machines come with an option to get a professional installation kit so DIY installation is also possible.

Stay hydrated,
Luke

We live on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin with well water. We are 100 feet from shore and I know salt is having its own impact on the environment. We also acknowledge that we can’t wash clothes or drink the water without a strong iron taste or orange stripes in our clothes while washing. The previous owners had lived in the cabin for 45 years without a softener. All the neighbors have one. We need softening and filtration in one unit. It’s a two bathroom cabin with about 1700 sq. ft. My hubby is handy which might (or might not) help with installation as plumbing is it’s own beast. Need it for two people most of the year — and if COVID ever subsides (a lot of guests). Thank you!

Hi Lisa

Yes, the Fleck 5600SXT should be fine for a small 2 person household.

However, this article will soon be updated because I am no longer recommending Fleck. This is because it ONLY softens your water.

So although it is a good sofener device and customer reviews on places like Amazon show this to be the case, you can’t drink the water and it does NOT treat any contaminants.

People tend to work around this by getting an additional filter to make the water safe to drink but this costs more money and adds more complexity to the whole process.

Meanwhile there are better all in one softener and filter products like this.

Stay hydrated
Luke