hello, I'm looking for a good sediment filtration system and wondering is there really a difference in performance between the 2 or 3 stage 20" cartridge ones and the large single tank 5in1 (puretech ones like on ebay) I don't need nothing fancy I'm in process of getting the water tested to see what else I have but so far no smells or bad stains just the usually sediment...Thanks and everyone have a safe 4th of July......thanks

Hi all, i'm new to this site though wanted to post a question about cost vs. value with water softeners. I have done quite a bit of searching on the net and have found this forum to be the have the most valuable information. I'm definitely a diy-er in many fronts, and sometimes that is part of the problem. There seems to be the high end (all-in-one sytem), specially made water softners from Hague, Kinetico, Culligan, Ionics, RainDance, etc.; then the "assemblers" of components that put their label on it. Of course, you could buy parts and build your own too i guess. It seems Kinetico is by far the leader on the high-end, though after having a salesperson come they quoted me $2,990 for the K-2060S with 1-1/4" service. The kicker was that this was just for the twin tank of resin, no carbon tank. The carbon tank was another $1,390. Pre-sediment filter was $200. This seemed extremely high, even for the California area that I live in (Bay Area). Obviously, the value is 24/7, reverse regeneration, no-electric, etc. But is it really worth the cost? Anyone out there pay roughly this cost for their Kinetico? On the carbon tank, does it really matter if it is Kinetico or would any generic carbon tank work? They have a 7 or 8" round tank that is about 44" tall. I figure having the water run through more carbon is better than less, but anyone have a comment on how much carbon the water should pass through? For a DIY-er, with a good Fleck controller, is there really a lot of maintenance to a water softener outside of adding salt? I've always got a ton of work on my plate from my wife, would maintaining this be just another task i need to worry about :)? What happens when the power goes out, will water not flow or just not meter (any issues on regeneration settings)? Sorry for all the questions but for something as simple as "getting a water softener" -- there are so many questions. Any advice will greatly be appreciated. Thanks!