Rainsoft acid neutralizer

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I moved into a house on well water and with a Rainsoft system for both neutralizing acidic water and softening the water.

I've had to schedule the annual maintenance mostly because I don't have enough information to do it on my own. They deliberately don't have intuitive manuals that could support the average dyi homeowner who could otherwise handle the annual maintenance.

But now, I think I have most of it figured out and would like to reduce the annual visit to more like every other year or every 3 years by doing it myself. The only problem is the acid neutralizer. I know it's some sort of magnesium based material in there, but I have no idea what specific material or mix of materials they are adding and how much of each. They dump out what's in there . . . why? Shouldn't they just add more? It only lasts 12 months for my family of 5. Could I add more or change the mix to make it last longer or that about right? Can I buy the stuff at Lowe's and just dump more into the tank myself to keep it filled periodically?

There's got to be a way to avoid the $200 annual visit. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

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Most acid neutralizers in my service area backwash daily and require yearly re-bedding.
Neutralizers double as excellent sediment filters.
The media mix used to re-bed neutralizers in my area is customized to deal with what is in the water - few are the same.
The backwash and maintenance schedule is dictated by your well water and usage.

HTH ~

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Re: Rainsoft acid neutralizer

davidb wrote:

I moved into a house on well water and with a Rainsoft system for both neutralizing acidic water and softening the water.

There's got to be a way to avoid the $200 annual visit. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Magnesium oxide is a fast acting (read it dissolves quickly) acid neutralizing mineral used with calcite or Georgia Marble which can be used alone or with MO in a mixed bed AN filter; MO is never used alone.

You need to find out what your raw water pH is, and then the size of your AN filter tank. Then I can tell you how much mineral it holds and if you need mixed bed mineral or not.

If your filter backwashes properly, there is no need to empty the tank and replace all the unused mineral, unless you have a mixed bed and then you would use the old to mix in new with. If the mineral has not been backwashed properly, then you would throw it out.

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Thanks. It does baskwash daily and it supposed to be rebed annually. So it does sound like there's a bit of art involved in terms of the mix of the bed. I'll bypass the system and get a raw ph (I have sensitive test kits for a large aquarium we keep) and get you the volume of the tank. I appreciate your assistance. Back later tonight.

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davidb wrote:

Thanks. It does baskwash daily and it supposed to be rebed annually. So it does sound like there's a bit of art involved in terms of the mix of the bed. I'll bypass the system and get a raw ph (I have sensitive test kits for a large aquarium we keep) and get you the volume of the tank. I appreciate your assistance. Back later tonight.

You're welcome Very Happy

It would also help to know if you are dealing with Iron, dirt or sediment.

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Unless your filter is way undersized, or you have visibly dirty water or serious iron content, there is no need to backwash an AN filter every day!

The vast majority of well water is not visibly dirty but most filters and softeners are undersized. What size tank do you have; that's either the physical size in inches or cubic feet?

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Gary Slusser wrote:

... there is no need to backwash an AN filter every day!

Wrong !!

Backwash acid neutralizers daily for best results.
This will keep the bed clean and prevent channeling.

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@davidb,

Just ourchase a bag od neutralizer (Marble chips) from the Rain Soft or Culligan people and put it in yourself. The scoop of magnisium is based on the condition of the water, they say I need it however I only used it one year and haven't since. You can purchase it at Culligan in small quanties.

Or try a POOL Store , they carry the products.

I have never emptied my unit in over 20 years, just add more neutralizer.

The Acid eats up the marble chips and the back flush washes out the tiney crap that is ate up.

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Rainsoft acid neutralizer

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