Hard Water

[Pushing_Tin]

Real helpful addition. Thanks.

Pot meet kettle.

 

[LMTC]

Pot meet kettle.

Then I suppose you just joined that group as well.

My point earlier was that most folks talking positively about magnets were not saying the magnets removed anything, but rather that they apparently caused some change that resulted in less scaling & better lather. That point was apparently lost on the poster who posted NOTHING in the way of information, but did make two sarcastic comments filled with green smileys. In no way did my second post attempt to belittle anthony, who I think completely misinterpreted my last paragraph. In fact, that day I sent him a PM apologizing that it could even be misunderstood, as I had no intent of criticizing his post. Even at that my post was NOT sarcastic, but rather was singularly pointed in stating that those two comments seemed to provide nothing and that putting multiple smileys does not make the comments less sarcastic.

But then here come the johnny-come-latelys to make additional sarcastic comments. I came here asking for information, and I can see why the number of people who PMd me about magnets did so and asked that I keep them confidential. Apparently they have already experienced this. I made no untoward remarks about your posts whatsoever. I hope you get the information you requested with less sarcasm than mine has received. Done. Period. If anyone really wants to have any dialogue...serious dialogue...feel free to PM me. If anyone would rather just make more sarcastic comments, have at that too.

 

[Hammy]

How long have you had it? Any negatives with the system?

I've had it for about 1 year. It is a two tank system and the tanks are only about 24" tall. I built a shelf and they sit on it, off the floor. Apparently with the two tank system, you still have softened water while the other one is regenerating. If it regenerates while you're taking a shower, you wont know it and will still be provided soft water because it switches to the other tank. I believe most of the others (single tank design) will leave you with regular hard water while its regenerating. However, you can set the timer on them to regenerate during the middle of the night so it might not be an issue with some.

Our well water is a little acidic so when we added the softener, we started seeing copper staining in the shower's and sinks. I could fix this problem with a pH neutralizer but I don't want to spend the money at this time so I bi-passed the water softener to see what it would do. With it disconnected I have no more copper staining.

Our water isn't very hard. In fact, it only has 5 grains. The main reason I got it was for our on-demand hot water tank. However, when I installed my water softener I installed a sand filter and whole house filter as well. Right now they are the only things I'm using with great success.

With the Kinetico you can go on vacation for as long as you want and as long as there is no water running through it, it wont regenerate. I was also sold on the fact that they only use a very small amount of water and salt during regeneration. I can't remember the exact amount of water it uses during regeneration without looking it up but I think it takes about 11 minutes and uses 7 gallons of water and 1 pound of salt. Most other units use upwards of 50 gallons of water and 10 pounds of salt. That being said, my water isn't very hard so it takes less salt but I did check out other units before I went this route.

Mine is set to regenerate at about every 450 gallons used.

If someone has more accurate numbers, please correct me.

My wife has the camera but if you want, I can post a photo of my set up.

Craig

 

[RayH]

D*mn, I hate it when people use real science in their posts! Personally I found this very informative and believe it de-bunks the myth of the magnet systems but as the saying goes " there's a sucker born every minute".

Caveat emptor

Did you actually read all the posts about the magnets?

As far as I know, Im the only one who has posted anything good, bad or otherwise about them and, once again for those who couldnt seem to comprehend it the first two times, here is what I posted.

I will quote myself:
"Something that needs to be understood is that the magnets dont take any of the "hardness" from the water. All they claim to do it change the molecular qualities of the iron, lyme or whatever is in your water, so that it doesnt stick to pipes and fixtures. What little bit Ive read and studied, it seems that the magnets break the molecules down so they dont clump together into scale. So they dont actually remove anything, they just change its properties so theres not as many problems with it."

Im not sure what "myth" needs "debunking" since the information that I posted agrees with what Anthony posted, which you apparently agree with. That means all three of us agree on the function of the magnets. It only follows that there are three suckers born every minute. I guess the only real difference between us is the fact that Im the only one who has actual experience using them.

 

[Pushing_Tin]

I've had it for about 1 year. It is a two tank system and the tanks are only about 24" tall. I built a shelf and they sit on it, off the floor. Apparently with the two tank system, you still have softened water while the other one is regenerating. If it regenerates while you're taking a shower, you wont know it and will still be provided soft water because it switches to the other tank. I believe most of the others (single tank design) will leave you with regular hard water while its regenerating. However, you can set the timer on them to regenerate during the middle of the night so it might not be an issue with some.

Our well water is a little acidic so when we added the softener, we started seeing copper staining in the shower's and sinks. I could fix this problem with a pH neutralizer but I don't want to spend the money at this time so I bi-passed the water softener to see what it would do. With it disconnected I have no more copper staining.

Our water isn't very hard. In fact, it only has 5 grains. The main reason I got it was for our on-demand hot water tank. However, when I installed my water softener I installed a sand filter and whole house filter as well. Right now they are the only things I'm using with great success.

With the Kinetico you can go on vacation for as long as you want and as long as there is no water running through it, it wont regenerate. I was also sold on the fact that they only use a very small amount of water and salt during regeneration. I can't remember the exact amount of water it uses during regeneration without looking it up but I think it takes about 11 minutes and uses 7 gallons of water and 1 pound of salt. Most other units use upwards of 50 gallons of water and 10 pounds of salt. That being said, my water isn't very hard so it takes less salt but I did check out other units before I went this route.

Mine is set to regenerate at about every 450 gallons used.

If someone has more accurate numbers, please correct me.

My wife has the camera but if you want, I can post a photo of my set up.

Craig

Excellent information thanks for taking the time to share all of that.

 

[Pushing_Tin]

Then I suppose you just joined that group as well.

My point earlier was that most folks talking positively about magnets were not saying the magnets removed anything, but rather that they apparently caused some change that resulted in less scaling & better lather. That point was apparently lost on the poster who posted NOTHING in the way of information, but did make two sarcastic comments filled with green smileys. In no way did my second post attempt to belittle anthony, who I think completely misinterpreted my last paragraph. In fact, that day I sent him a PM apologizing that it could even be misunderstood, as I had no intent of criticizing his post. Even at that my post was NOT sarcastic, but rather was singularly pointed in stating that those two comments seemed to provide nothing and that putting multiple smileys does not make the comments less sarcastic.

But then here come the johnny-come-latelys to make additional sarcastic comments. I came here asking for information, and I can see why the number of people who PMd me about magnets did so and asked that I keep them confidential. Apparently they have already experienced this. I made no untoward remarks about your posts whatsoever. I hope you get the information you requested with less sarcasm than mine has received. Done. Period. If anyone really wants to have any dialogue...serious dialogue...feel free to PM me. If anyone would rather just make more sarcastic comments, have at that too.

LOL, it's the internet man chill out. I just found it sort of ironic that you were mocking another poster for contributing nothing of substance, yet you felt compelled to do the same. The irony was too much to pass!

Anyway, I'm glad to hear that magnets work for some people. But some people "firmly" believe that Extenze or Enzyte works as well. To each their own.

Good reading here.

Magnetic water treatment and pseudoscience

 

[RayH]

OMG, you people are incredable.
So far Ive been told that I think magnets are magical, Im a sucker and I believe in natural male enhancement.
Clearly some people have just fallen in line like sheep and havent at all bothered to read what has actually been said about the magnets.
I dont think I make any wild claims. The most outragious claim I make is "I cant say for sure that the magnets are helping but I can say that we have hard water but none of the problems associated with it." Somebody stop me, I must be delusional.


Once again, here is the post that you guys are tearing apart. Is it really that awful.

"Im always hesitant to mention that Ive used the magnets for about 12 years now. I was very skeptical of them but to this day, we still use them and have never considered getting a "real" water softener.
12 years we are still on the same waterheater element, second shower head, same coffee maker and the same dishwasher and we have no problem getting soap to suds up. We do get some scale but it cleans off easily.
I cant say for sure that the magnets are helping but I can say that we have hard water but none of the problems associated with it.
Something that needs to be understood is that the magnets dont take any of the "hardness" from the water. All they claim to do it change the molecular qualities of the iron, lyme or whatever is in your water, so that it doesnt stick to pipes and fixtures. What little bit Ive read and studied, it seems that the magnets break the molecules down so they dont clump together into scale. So they dont actually remove anything, they just change its properties so theres not as many problems with it."

 

[Egon]

There are lots of Google hits on this subject.

One of them.

SCIENCE OF MAGNETIC WATER TREATMENT & DESCALING

And another.

Magnetic water treatment and pseudoscience

Take your pick?

 

[450EXC]

You really have to watch these magnet salesmen close.

I once had a guy try to tell me if you move a magnet across a wire it will make the electron thingys bounce along and induce a current. Yea right

 

[Phils]

As far as I know, Im the only one who has posted anything good, bad or otherwise about them ...

Dang Ray... didn't you read my post?

"
We installed the magnetic "softeners" a year or two ago. I doubted they'd work and would've been ready to send 'em back within the 90 days. Not only did I immediately notice the difference but when MY wife notices the difference, it's true. I got them in order to cross them off the "potential solution list" and go to the next idea.... but stopped there. Next try for me was the potassium chloride units but was reluctant because we are 'off-grid', however I was mentally preparing for the installation.

These don't remove the minerals but, as you describe the electronic ones, just make the water "feel" like it's soft. The residue in the shower has been reduced by 90% or better. We have never used a dishwasher because of the hard water residue, and always had to hand dry the dishes or they'd spot bad. Now we just let them air dry and they always look spotless and like new."

And Larry (450EXC)... I like your last post on the magnet moving across the wire.

Phil