Brine Tank Question - Easy Answer Probably
#1
09-17-06, 06:52 PM
Brine Tank Question - Easy Answer Probably
I have a Rainsoft Water Softener.
The previous owner of the house, i think, never emptied and clean the brine tank.
well, i just did that after scooping about 3 ft of salt pellets out. all of which are wet.
question1.) when i put salt back does it have to be new dry salt or can i use the same salt i took out?
question2.) do i add water or does the system do that on its own?
question3.) if i do add water, how much should i add?
Thanx in advance.
matt
The previous owner of the house, i think, never emptied and clean the brine tank.
well, i just did that after scooping about 3 ft of salt pellets out. all of which are wet.
question1.) when i put salt back does it have to be new dry salt or can i use the same salt i took out?
question2.) do i add water or does the system do that on its own?
question3.) if i do add water, how much should i add?
Thanx in advance.
matt
#2
09-17-06, 07:23 PM
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Hi Matt,
EZ answers to EZ questions ...
question1.) when i put salt back does it have to be new dry salt or can i use the same salt i took out?
NEVER resuse salt that has been wet. Salt is cheap.
question2.) do i add water or does the system do that on its own?
Add a couple gallons down the brine well (round tube where the float lives). The water will need about two hours to dissolve the salt to make brine so don't regenerate immediately.
When the softener regenerates it will put the correct amount of water back in the brine tank based on the control valve's setting.
question3.) if i do add water, how much should i add
See answer to question #2
Cleaning out the brine tank is a routine maintainence procedure. The dirtier the salt you use the more often you need to clean out the brine tank.
Info on softener salt here ... www.softeningsalt.com from the BIG DOG, North American Salt.
It's a good idea to put only enough salt in the brine tank to cover the water. The more salt you put in the more weight there is on the wet salt and the better the chance of a salt bridge. Check the brine tank weekly and add enough salt to cover the water.
Also not a bad idea to add a gallon of hot TAP water down the brine well once a month or so to dissolve any minor salt bridge that might be starting.
EZ answers to EZ questions ...
question1.) when i put salt back does it have to be new dry salt or can i use the same salt i took out?
NEVER resuse salt that has been wet. Salt is cheap.
question2.) do i add water or does the system do that on its own?
Add a couple gallons down the brine well (round tube where the float lives). The water will need about two hours to dissolve the salt to make brine so don't regenerate immediately.
When the softener regenerates it will put the correct amount of water back in the brine tank based on the control valve's setting.
question3.) if i do add water, how much should i add
See answer to question #2
Cleaning out the brine tank is a routine maintainence procedure. The dirtier the salt you use the more often you need to clean out the brine tank.
Info on softener salt here ... www.softeningsalt.com from the BIG DOG, North American Salt.
It's a good idea to put only enough salt in the brine tank to cover the water. The more salt you put in the more weight there is on the wet salt and the better the chance of a salt bridge. Check the brine tank weekly and add enough salt to cover the water.
Also not a bad idea to add a gallon of hot TAP water down the brine well once a month or so to dissolve any minor salt bridge that might be starting.
Last edited by justalurker; 09-17-06 at 07:36 PM.
#3
09-17-06, 08:16 PM
thanx
that added a new question though...
the brine well is enclosed at the top. i do not have access to add the water down the tube.
am i right in assuming i should put salt in first then fill the water thru the brine tube if that were possible?
*** the top of the brine tube comes off. didnt notice that at first***
the brine well is enclosed at the top. i do not have access to add the water down the tube.
am i right in assuming i should put salt in first then fill the water thru the brine tube if that were possible?
*** the top of the brine tube comes off. didnt notice that at first***
#4
09-17-06, 08:38 PM
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The following only after brine tank cleaning and tank is dry and empty ...
1. put in a couple gallons of water
2. add salt until you see no water
3. wait at least two hours
4. do a manual regeneration (don't use water during regeneration)
5. after regeneration look in brine tank and add salt to cover water.
The following as a routine maintainence every month or every couple months ...
1. open top of brine well (remove cap)
2. add a gallon of hot TAP water down the brine well
3. put cap back on brine well
1. put in a couple gallons of water
2. add salt until you see no water
3. wait at least two hours
4. do a manual regeneration (don't use water during regeneration)
5. after regeneration look in brine tank and add salt to cover water.
The following as a routine maintainence every month or every couple months ...
1. open top of brine well (remove cap)
2. add a gallon of hot TAP water down the brine well
3. put cap back on brine well
Last edited by justalurker; 09-17-06 at 10:14 PM.
#5
01-06-08, 07:41 PM
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justalurker,
i was given a 4 year old AQC 50 Rainsoft gold series.
The unit has been uninstalled for the past 3 years. I have no experience with a softener. I plumbed it in yesterday. A plumber told me to add a little bleach and a gallon of water to kill probable bacteria in the unit. I put it in the tank instead of the well. I also added 160 lbs of pellets. Im sure i did something wrong, because it doesn't seem to be working properly. I also ran the regeneration. Please set me straight. Tell me how to get this unit working.
ddh
i was given a 4 year old AQC 50 Rainsoft gold series.
The unit has been uninstalled for the past 3 years. I have no experience with a softener. I plumbed it in yesterday. A plumber told me to add a little bleach and a gallon of water to kill probable bacteria in the unit. I put it in the tank instead of the well. I also added 160 lbs of pellets. Im sure i did something wrong, because it doesn't seem to be working properly. I also ran the regeneration. Please set me straight. Tell me how to get this unit working.
ddh
Originally Posted by justalurker
The following only after brine tank cleaning and tank is dry and empty ...
1. put in a couple gallons of water
2. add salt until you see no water
3. wait at least two hours
4. do a manual regeneration (don't use water during regeneration)
5. after regeneration look in brine tank and add salt to cover water.
The following as a routine maintainence every month or every couple months ...
1. open top of brine well (remove cap)
2. add a gallon of hot TAP water down the brine well
3. put cap back on brine well
1. put in a couple gallons of water
2. add salt until you see no water
3. wait at least two hours
4. do a manual regeneration (don't use water during regeneration)
5. after regeneration look in brine tank and add salt to cover water.
The following as a routine maintainence every month or every couple months ...
1. open top of brine well (remove cap)
2. add a gallon of hot TAP water down the brine well
3. put cap back on brine well
#6
01-07-08, 10:24 AM
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It would be best to start a new thread so your post doesn't get lost tagged to an old thread...
You were given a used water softener that you don't know was working properly and has been sitting out of service for 3 years. You have no idea of the size or features of the softener and no idea of your water conditions so you have no idea if that softener will do the job even if you get it working. You have been talking to a plumber about water treatment, big mistake. You put 160lbs of salt in the brine tank and the softener is not working.
You've introduced about every variable there can be and are batting zero.
My advice is to hit the Yellow Pages and find a local independent or Rainsoft (franchised) water treatment professional that services Rainsoft and get them to come out and give you an estimate to repair the softener. They should test your water to see what needs to be treated and then they can identify your softener to make sure it will do the job if repaired.
If the resin is fouled and the control valve needs repair it may be more cost effective to replace that softener with an industry standard model from that independent water treatment pro.
You were given a used water softener that you don't know was working properly and has been sitting out of service for 3 years. You have no idea of the size or features of the softener and no idea of your water conditions so you have no idea if that softener will do the job even if you get it working. You have been talking to a plumber about water treatment, big mistake. You put 160lbs of salt in the brine tank and the softener is not working.
You've introduced about every variable there can be and are batting zero.
My advice is to hit the Yellow Pages and find a local independent or Rainsoft (franchised) water treatment professional that services Rainsoft and get them to come out and give you an estimate to repair the softener. They should test your water to see what needs to be treated and then they can identify your softener to make sure it will do the job if repaired.
If the resin is fouled and the control valve needs repair it may be more cost effective to replace that softener with an industry standard model from that independent water treatment pro.
Last edited by justalurker; 01-07-08 at 11:01 AM.
