ByronBob
Veteran Member
Boustany is right.........
No Salt water softner, or conditioner
- Thread starter OKnewguy
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JazzDad
Gold Member
Too soon to report anything definitive, as we installed our softener just a couple of months ago. We have only used potassium chloride. One consideration was to avoid additional sodium ingestion, the other was the septic system. We have an aerobic system, and our research found that spraying potassium on the ground might actually aid lawn growth. (What do the 3 numbers in fertilizer represent?) We couldn't see how spraying sodium on the grass could be beneficial. On the other hand, our state recently reversed their opinion on dumping water softener brine into septic systems, saying they saw no ill effect. (Sorry, I can't provide the link.)
GaryM
Veteran Member
I use Potassium Chloride for the main reason that I wasn't smart enough to plan to discharge the waste from the softener other than into my septic system.
I had read that the potassium was less of a problem than sodium. And as there are only two of us, the slightly higher cost is not an issue.
I had read that the potassium was less of a problem than sodium. And as there are only two of us, the slightly higher cost is not an issue.
ByronBob
Veteran Member
I asked about this when I was building my home. They told me that the concrete formulation really is better today than back 10 years or longer ago.
I discharged my salt into the sump basin anyway. Rather not have it go into the septic.
I discharged my salt into the sump basin anyway. Rather not have it go into the septic.
Jagmandave
Veteran Member
What about a really good filtration system (not a RO, just a multi media)? They're not that expensive, and you can buy one that back flushes automatically periodically so you don't lose efficacy. Would that do the trick?
boustany
Platinum Member
No. A filter won't do. Calcium and Magnesium are in solution, so you can't filter them out using a taditional filter.
I think a reason people go with the potassium is because they are concerned (justifyably in a small number of people) about sodium sensitive high blood pressure. Despite the hype and hysteria, salt, or sodium, isn't bad for most people. The sodium you get from the sodium bicarbonate is very, very, small, and not likely to be a problem unless you have extreme sensitivity, and then, well, then its probably the least of your problems.
I don't dump the discharge into the septic, even though I understand it does no hard. Mine goes out the sump pump pipe into a field 100 feet from my house. The weeds, etc., seem no worse for it.
I think a reason people go with the potassium is because they are concerned (justifyably in a small number of people) about sodium sensitive high blood pressure. Despite the hype and hysteria, salt, or sodium, isn't bad for most people. The sodium you get from the sodium bicarbonate is very, very, small, and not likely to be a problem unless you have extreme sensitivity, and then, well, then its probably the least of your problems.
I don't dump the discharge into the septic, even though I understand it does no hard. Mine goes out the sump pump pipe into a field 100 feet from my house. The weeds, etc., seem no worse for it.
fractal
Gold Member
I have never heard of a no-salt product that actually softened water.
The potasium salt is more environmentally friendly than the sodium salt and a modern machine should leave little to no salt after the purge cycle. Both are salts though..
I have hard water. Very hard water. Off the scale hard water. My clothes don't come clean and I am constantly soaking the dish washer in vinegar to disolve the crud. I still won't install an ion exchange unit. Water is just plain too precious to waste more of it than you use by running it through an ion exchange unit (aka water softener). Ok, the new units are close to 60% efficient but still.
I really and truely wish there were a viable alternative. I hate the problems of hard water. The only thing is that to me, the cure is worse than the disease.
The potasium salt is more environmentally friendly than the sodium salt and a modern machine should leave little to no salt after the purge cycle. Both are salts though..
I have hard water. Very hard water. Off the scale hard water. My clothes don't come clean and I am constantly soaking the dish washer in vinegar to disolve the crud. I still won't install an ion exchange unit. Water is just plain too precious to waste more of it than you use by running it through an ion exchange unit (aka water softener). Ok, the new units are close to 60% efficient but still.
I really and truely wish there were a viable alternative. I hate the problems of hard water. The only thing is that to me, the cure is worse than the disease.
OP
OKnewguy
Platinum Member
I hear you FRACTAL. I have searched for some real info and do not know what to make of all the propaganda. I found a article in consumer reports that I will check out at the library (to cheap to pay for the online service). I think there must be something to some of these alternative systems, it can not all be smoke and mirrors. But I would love to get some real proof that these alternative systems work. Good luck, dave
kensfarm
Veteran Member
"constantly soaking the dish washer "
I have very hard water too.. the bottom of a pot I use to boil water every morning for coffee is solid rock.
Run some CLR through your dish washer cycle.. since the buildup is probably pretty thick.. you'll have to do it several times.. it'll bring your dish washer back to life. If you run the CLR w/ the dishes in.. "if you have frosted white glasses like me".. it make the dishes look very clean.. just be sure to re-rinse the dishes again after the cycle w/ CLR in it. I run some through once a month or so.
Some dish washers have a pre-rinse cycle.. I wait till this finishes and then add the CLR for the main wash cycle.
I have very hard water too.. the bottom of a pot I use to boil water every morning for coffee is solid rock.
Run some CLR through your dish washer cycle.. since the buildup is probably pretty thick.. you'll have to do it several times.. it'll bring your dish washer back to life. If you run the CLR w/ the dishes in.. "if you have frosted white glasses like me".. it make the dishes look very clean.. just be sure to re-rinse the dishes again after the cycle w/ CLR in it. I run some through once a month or so.
Some dish washers have a pre-rinse cycle.. I wait till this finishes and then add the CLR for the main wash cycle.
Junkman
Super Member
I have found that putting a splash of ammonia in the dishwasher does a great job of keeping things sparkling and deals with the hard water. Guess that I will be doing a lot more dishes by myself now..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
