Water Softeners and Air Filtration Systems - Whole house system options

I have recently had our house water tested and we need a softener & filter system. We have a hardness of 12 gpm, clear iron of .43 mg/l, manganese of .22 mg/l, pH of 7.3, and sulphur of 1.5 ppm. I've already had a water systems company come in and give me a quote. $$$ My neighbors have had this system for the last 20 years and are quite pleased with the results and service of the company. They not only install but service the system and the wells as well. Anyhow, the system is Hydrotech and they recommended an iron filter with air pump (we have a jet pump on our well) and a water softener (two tank). Can I get a system at Home Depot or at a plumbing supplies store that would work just as well, for considerably less? What brands should I look for? How difficult is this going to be for my husband and I to install this (we are reasonably competent people). We have plenty of room for the system, but I'm concerned about the backflow drain since we are in the basement and it would have to run uphill. Would I be smarter to buy the equipment and have a plumber install them? Please educate me.

Softeners from HD and Sears won't have the capacity and durability to deal with your water situation. With the condition of your water and the fact that you are on a well you need a more complicated water treatment solution than the average urban household with just hard water.

Check around with your neighbors and see if they recommend anyone. Don't overlook shopping around locally. If you find a local dealer that you trust to provide a complete solution to your needs and will service what they sell and has competetive prices give them consideration.

Remember that with an Internet seller service is non-existant, advice is always a phone call and timezones away, and parts are always FedEx or UPS away.

Your water quality is important ... take it's treatment seriously.

Keep in mind that know-it-alls don't.