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Water Softeners
Choose the Right Water Softener for Your Home
From value-priced Bluetooth models to premium ceramic disc and continuous-duty twin tank systems, compare our four water softener series below to find the best solution for your home.
Which Water Softener Is Right for You?
Clean Water Store offers four water softener series because different homes have different priorities. Some homeowners want simple Bluetooth setup, some prefer a heavy-duty ceramic disc valve, others want the salt-saving advantages of upflow brining, and some need continuous soft water around the clock.
All four series remove calcium and magnesium hardness, reduce scale buildup, improve soap performance, and help protect plumbing fixtures, water heaters, and water-using appliances. The main difference is the control valve, regeneration method, flow capacity, and whether the system uses one resin tank or two.
| Softener Series | Best Choice For | Valve Type | Bluetooth | Upflow Brining | Continuous Soft Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5900-BT Bluetooth Downflow | Most homes seeking excellent performance, easy programming, and strong overall value | Piston and seal | Yes | No | No |
| 7500 Ceramic Disc Downflow | Well water, demanding applications, and homeowners who want a heavy-duty ceramic disc valve | Ceramic disc | No | No | No |
| 7500 Ceramic Disc Upflow | City water, larger homes, high flow rates, and maximum salt and water efficiency | Ceramic disc | No | Yes | No |
| Twin Tank Continuous Duty | Homes and businesses that need uninterrupted soft water at any hour | Twin alternating Bluetooth valve | Yes | No | Yes |
5900-BT Bluetooth Downflow Water Softeners
The 5900-BT Bluetooth series is our all-around choice for most homes. It combines dependable demand-initiated regeneration with convenient Bluetooth programming and diagnostics.
- For typical residential use
- Bluetooth setup and operating information from a compatible smartphone or tablet
- Meters actual water use and regenerates only when needed
- Uses a proven downflow regeneration process
- Available in several capacities for small and large homes
- Excellent choice for both city water and properly pretreated well water
Choose the 5900-BT if: You want an easy-to-use, efficient water softener with Bluetooth control and do not require uninterrupted soft water during regeneration.
Shop 5900-BT Bluetooth Water Softeners »
7500 Ceramic Disc Downflow Water Softeners
The 7500 Ceramic Disc Downflow series is designed for homeowners who want a rugged, heavy-duty control valve. Instead of a conventional piston and seal assembly, the valve directs water through durable ceramic discs.
- Heavy-duty ceramic disc control valve
- Excellent choice for private well-water applications
- Traditional downflow brining and regeneration
- Demand-initiated regeneration based on actual water use
- Good choice for homes with sediment or more demanding water conditions when proper pretreatment is installed
- Available in compact through high-capacity residential sizes
Choose the 7500 Downflow if: You want the durability of a ceramic disc valve or have a well-water application where dependable downflow regeneration is preferred.
Shop 7500 Ceramic Disc Downflow Softeners »
7500 Ceramic Disc Upflow Water Softeners
The 7500 Ceramic Disc Upflow series combines a durable ceramic disc valve with high-flow internal components and salt-saving upflow brining.
During normal service, water flows down through the resin bed. During regeneration, the brine enters from the bottom of the tank and moves upward through the resin. This allows the brine to contact the most exhausted resin first and can reduce the amount of salt and water required for regeneration.
- High-efficiency upflow brining
- Heavy-duty ceramic disc valve
- High-flow 1.25-inch internal distributor design
- Low pressure drop for larger homes and higher water demand
- Demand regeneration based on actual water usage
- Especially well suited for city-water applications
Choose the 7500 Upflow if: You have city water and want maximum salt efficiency, high flow, and the durability of a ceramic disc valve.
Shop 7500 Ceramic Disc Upflow Softeners »
Twin Tank Continuous-Duty Water Softeners
The Twin Tank Continuous-Duty series is designed for homes and businesses that cannot afford to run out of soft water.
One resin tank supplies softened water while the second tank remains regenerated and ready. When the operating tank reaches capacity, the valve automatically switches to the standby tank. The exhausted tank then regenerates with softened water and returns to standby.
- Continuous soft water 24 hours a day
- Soft water remains available while one tank regenerates
- No untreated hard-water bypass during regeneration
- Automatic tank switching based on actual water usage
- Regenerates using softened water from the tank in service
- Bluetooth setup and diagnostics
- Excellent for large families, variable schedules, vacation rentals, and light-commercial use
Choose a twin tank softener if: You need soft water at all times, use water throughout the day and night, or do not want to depend on reserve capacity and overnight regeneration.
Shop Twin Tank Continuous-Duty Softeners »
Quick Recommendations
- For most homes: 5900-BT Bluetooth Downflow
- Heavy-duty choice for well water: 7500 Ceramic Disc Downflow
- Best for high flow and salt efficiency on city water: 7500 Ceramic Disc Upflow
- Best for uninterrupted soft water: Twin Tank Continuous Duty
What All Four Series Have in Common
Regardless of which control valve you choose, a correctly sized water softener provides the same important whole-house benefits:
- Removes calcium and magnesium hardness
- Reduces white scale on fixtures, faucets, shower doors, and appliances
- Helps protect water heaters and plumbing systems
- Improves soap, shampoo, and detergent performance
- Reduces soap scum and makes bathrooms easier to clean
- Helps dishes and glassware come out cleaner
- Makes laundry feel cleaner and softer
- Regenerates automatically based on household water usage
Choosing the Correct Softener Size
Once you select the softener series, the next step is choosing the correct resin capacity. Water softeners should not be sized by bathroom count alone.
Proper sizing depends on:
- Number of people in the home
- Average daily water usage
- Water hardness in grains per gallon
- Dissolved iron and manganese
- Required service flow rate
- Plumbing size and available water pressure
- Desired salt efficiency and regeneration frequency
| Nominal Capacity | Typical Resin Volume | General Residential Use | Common Tank Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24,000 grains | 0.75 cu. ft. | Small home, apartment, or low water use | 8-inch diameter tank |
| 32,000 grains | 1.0 cu. ft. | Small to average household | 9-inch diameter tank |
| 48,000 grains | 1.5 cu. ft. | Average household or moderately hard water | 10-inch diameter tank |
| 64,000 grains | 2.0 cu. ft. | Larger household, higher hardness, or greater water use | 12-inch diameter tank |
| 80,000 grains | 2.5 cu. ft. | Large home or high water demand | 13-inch diameter tank |
| 96,000 grains | 3.0 cu. ft. | Very large home or demanding residential application | 14-inch diameter tank |
Important: The nominal grain rating is the theoretical maximum capacity. For better salt efficiency, water softeners are normally programmed at a lower operating capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all four softeners produce the same quality of soft water?
Yes. When correctly sized and programmed, all four series remove calcium and magnesium hardness. The differences are primarily the valve design, regeneration method, flow capacity, programming features, and whether the system uses one tank or two.
What is the easiest softener to program?
The 5900-BT and twin tank Bluetooth systems are the easiest choices for customers who want to view and adjust settings with a compatible smartphone or tablet.
What is the advantage of a ceramic disc valve?
A ceramic disc valve directs water through rotating ceramic discs instead of using a conventional piston and seal pack. It is designed for long service life and is a good option for customers who prefer a heavy-duty valve design.
What is the difference between upflow and downflow brining?
In a conventional downflow system, brine flows from the top of the resin bed toward the bottom. In an upflow system, brine enters at the bottom and travels upward during regeneration. Upflow brining can regenerate the resin efficiently with less salt and water when the system is correctly sized and programmed.
Does a single-tank softener provide hard water during regeneration?
Most single-tank softeners place the home into bypass during regeneration. Because regeneration is normally scheduled for the middle of the night, many homeowners never notice it. A twin tank softener avoids this completely by placing the second resin tank into service.
Does a twin tank softener use twice as much salt?
No. Only the exhausted tank regenerates. The tanks operate alternately, so salt use is based on actual water consumption, hardness, programmed capacity, and salt dosage.
Should I choose upflow for private well water?
For many private well-water applications, we generally recommend the 7500 downflow version. The upflow model is especially well suited for treated city water where salt efficiency and high flow are the main priorities.
Can a softener remove iron?
A water softener may remove limited amounts of clear-water dissolved ferrous iron, but iron consumes softening capacity and can foul the resin. Moderate or high iron, manganese, sulfur odor, oxidized iron, or iron bacteria may require dedicated pretreatment before the softener.
Need Help Choosing?
Clean Water Store has specialized in residential and private well-water treatment since 1986. Our non-commissioned water specialists can help you select the correct valve, resin capacity, and programming based on your actual water conditions and household needs.
For the best recommendation, have the following information available:
- Water hardness in grains per gallon
- Iron and manganese levels
- Number of people in the home
- Number of bathrooms
- Plumbing diameter
- Well flow rate, if applicable
- Any odor, staining, sediment, or pH concerns
Not sure which system to choose? Call Clean Water Store at 888-600-5426 or contact one of our water specialists for help selecting the right water softener.
