Water Softeners and Air Filtration Systems - Sanitizer Series Water Softener

Hi,

Has anyone had any experience with the Sanitizer series of water softeners made by Water-Right?

How did it perform? Did it do what the manufacturer says it can do: reduce iron, soften water, reduce rotten egg odor (depending on the model of softener), etc.

If anyone can provide model number and cost, much appreciated.

I was a dealer for them a long time ago... I hope that qualifies me to reply. ;)

A... that's rotten egg odor only caused by bacteria colonization in the 'resin' bed, not to include H2S gas in the incoming water. The chlorine they generate is supposed to prevent bed colonization. The equipment is a bit pricey but a good company and they us a great control valve (a Clack but not the WS-1), and if using their Zeolite, it requires a fairly high gpm to backwash it so your well system will have to be checked to see if it can provide adequate flow rates and will have less capacity per cuft than regular resin so you need larger sizes and more water to regenerate than a regular softener using ion exchange resin.

Gary
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Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2

Gary, as always, thanks for the knowledgeable reply.

How would I check if my system produces enough gpm of water? I know when I've opened the bottom of the pressure tank, it comes out like jet. Would simply attack a hose to the pressure tank outlet and time how long it takes to fill a 5-gallon bucket and then do some math?

Thanks

Forgot to add: A couple of months after my well was drilled, but not used, a few years ago, my water softener guy advised running an outdoor hose the whole day before he came to sample water. As it flowed from the hose, I would occassionally catch a faint wiff of rotten egg odor. Does that confirm hydrogen sulfide gas or could it be iron/sulphur reducing bacteria or just plain sulphur in the aquifer? Maybe the well driller's equipment contaminated the well with IRB and there is sat unused for a couple of months during construction? If I ever do it again, I'll know to put some bleach in the well right after drilling!

I understand that you can sample for hydrogen sulphide gas in a lab. Must be done on-site?

Yes that's a good way to find your gpm. You can do a lot better price wise with nonproprietary equipment using a stock Clack WS-1 and installing it your self. And I suggest another way of treating your water problems; an inline erosion pellet chlorinator followed by a special mixing tank and then a Centaur filter and then a sotener.

No, a well driller's rig isn't going to contaminate a well, and yes I know some people say otherwise but make them prove contamination instead of voicing an opinion and they kinda slip away silently. But shocking a well isn't a bad idea when drilled or the pump is pulled although I'm usually not a fan of doing so due to it potentially causing problems with the pump and water quality.

Gary
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Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2

Thanks again, Gary.

Yes, it is pricey, but I don't think using non-proprietary equipment is as easy as you say: I don't think many water treatment guys in my area have true zeolite media softeners and I've searched the net for similar equipment that generates chlorine and uses it for regeneration of the zeolite, and found none.

But they don't use it for regeneration, the unit produces a small amount adn the softener will have a media guard or at least some KDF-85 in it. And you can trust me (but verify) that my and many other dealers' nonbranded equipment will be equal to and above the WR softener you buy locally. Many DIYers buy over the internet and install the stuff themselves. Plus, Zeolite has a number of disadvantages that resin doesn't and if you have more odor and/or bacteria than their softener can treat, then what? Do I really sound as if I don't know what I'm talking about. lol I really did used to be was a dealer for them. That was awhile back (1990, maybe '91) when I didn't know a whole lot... but I learned fast. Zeolite has a low capacity/lb of salt used and you need more of it than the same volume (cuft) of resin which means larger equipment and then you better have the gpm and pressure to backwash it or the unit doesn't last long. I think their marketing has swallowed you up!

Gary
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Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2

Gary, no, you certainly do sound like you know what you are talking about! That's why I keep asking you so many questions! LOL!

But I'm confused when you say the softener doesn't use the cholrine for regeneration? I thought that's exactly what it did to clean the mineral bed of iron, bacteria, etc?

Gary, no, you certainly do sound like you know what you are talking about! That's why I keep asking you so many questions! LOL!

But I'm confused when you say the softener doesn't use the cholrine for regeneration? I thought that's exactly what it did to clean the mineral bed of iron, bacteria, etc?

Ah yes, I understand. lol You said and I replied to: "generates chlorine and uses it for regeneration of the zeolite"... Actually it only produces a small amount during regeneration that they say is capable of preventing bed colonization, but not as a disinfectant or oxidizer for the treatment of H2S. They also add KDF-85 in the tank, so I ask what is doing what and don't believe the chlorine is actually doing as much as the KDF and there is a Media Guard that can be added to any standard softener... although I don't suggest it. Anyway, only a few days ago one of their home office guys explained this in an industry forum I post in, so my info is real current. :)

As to the use of zeolites, they are not near as efficient as resin and most softeners since WWII have used resins instead. But they do have the advantage of using chlorine with no harm, they can raise pH a bit and handle more iron, but that's the end of the advantages and the disadvantages kinda outweigh them. But then WR also sells softeners using resins.

Gary
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Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2