Here Is Why You Should NOT Invest in a Fleck Water Softener
Why You Should *NOT* Invest In Fleck Water Softeners (2023 Update)
Although this article was originally comparing the best fleck softener out of the top 3 models, I have added this update because I am no longer recommending Fleck and here are my reasons:
Basic stand-alone Fleck softeners do NOT filter your water. This means that even though they only cost upwards of $1100, you will still need to pay for a plumber and for a filter otherwise your water is undrinkable. The final cost will be something closer to $1600 – $2000 and the final solution will be complicated with different machines doing different things.
Meanwhile there are better all-in-one softener + filter combinations from brands like Aquasana that will treat everything that affects your water NOT just hard water.
Fleck softeners don’t usually come with filters. However, the few Fleck units with integrated filters typically come with extremely basic filters.
They are likely to only filter sediments and some common contaminants. Whereas the filters that come with other salt based softener systems like the SpringWell Whole House Softener and Filter treat everything. This includes chlorine, viruses, mercury, bacteria and even pharmaceuticals.
Installing a Fleck by yourself can potentially void any warranty that you have. However, other whole house water systems like Aquasana provide you with a professional grade installation kit. This means you can potentially save yourself a small fortune and install it yourself.
Fleck Water Softener Reviews – The Top 3 Models Compared.
This article includes Fleck water softener reviews of the best selling models from this brand.
Fleck is one of the most trusted brands when it comes to water softening systems. This is because they are cheap, reliable, easy to install and have lots of positive customer reviews.
It is owned by a company called Pentair Water Treatment who provide a 5 year warranty on their products.
Having looked at many genuine Fleck water softener reviews online, I will quickly discuss the pros and cons of all the top models.
I will look at their different configurations, features and flaws.
However, I’ll start by explaining why people love Fleck so much and why I used to be one of them.
Yes, that’s right I used to rave about Fleck but no longer do.
I’ll explain.
Benefits of Using a Fleck Water Softener
Why would you want to consider getting a Fleck water softener? Well here are the best features of using a Fleck water softener:
First things first, the parts are easy to find. A quick Internet search will bring up plenty of sellers selling Fleck parts, systems and replacement cartridges.
Very good customer service – Most of the customer feedback online report of good and helpful customer service provision.
Eco-friendly products – Fleck units are typically made from good quality materials that are designed for lower annual power consumption. The result of this is that they use less salt and are ultimately better for the environment.
Affordable – Fleck provide some of the most affordable products in the water filtration market. This includes providing lots of different configurations, which means you can almost always find something in your budget.
Easy to use – Every Fleck water softener comes with an electronic power head that has a button panel, which lets you program the unit.
WQA certified – This is one of the highest forms of certification and attests to the brands quality.
Easy to assemble – Fleck units typically arrive fully assembled and ready to be plumbed. It will also come with an instructional video guide that provides you with step by step directions throughout the whole installation process.
Easy to program – As the video below shows, Fleck softeners (especially the best selling 5600SXT) are relatively easy to program.
Top Fleck Water Softeners
Finding the best water softener for you and your home depends on a number of different things.
The first and perhaps most important is to determine how hard your water is.
Water hardness is when your water contains a high amount of hard dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Once you work out your water hardness, then you’ll get a better idea of which type of water softener model is best for you.
ALL the fleck models below treat a high level of water hardness. The key difference being their ability to deal with things like low pressures systems, high capacity etc.
1. 5600SXT = 1-4 person household + medium hard water
2. 7000SXT = 4-6 person household + medium to very hard water.
3. 9100SXT = 5+ person household + very hard water.
Fleck Water Softener Comparison Table
Fleck 5600SXT | Fleck 7000SXT | Fleck 9100SXT |
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| Capacity: 48,000 | Capacity: 64,000 | Capacity: 96,000 |
| Regeneration: meter based | Regeneration: meter based | Regeneration: meter based |
| Size: 10" x 54" tank, 14" x 17" x 33" brine tank | Size: 18" x 33" brine tank, 12" x 55" resin tank | Size: 10"x54" resin tank, 18" x 35" brine tank |
| Resin: 1.5 ft3 | Resin: 2 ft3 | Resin: 1.5 ft3 + 1.5 ft3 |
| Water hardness treatment level: High | Water hardness treatment level: High | Water hardness treatment level: High |
| Why get it? It is the cheapest model. | Why get it? Larger capacity than the 5600SXT | Why get it? It has the LARGEST capacity with twin tank processing technology. |
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Fleck 5600SXT Water Softener
Good for: High hardness level and 3-6 family home capacity.
This is by far one of Flecks most popular water softener systems. The 5600 SXT comes with a 48,000 grain capacity that can treat flow rates with up to 12 gpm.
This option is good for…
…homes that have a medium to high hardness level. The capacity is good for homes that house three-six people.
When buying the Fleck 5600 water softener you will also get an electronic controller.
The best part is that the controller has a backlit LCD display. Its very own touch pad control allows you to easily program the water softening unit.
When it comes to actual softening, the Fleck 5600 uses the ion exchange process. In English, this means that anything considered to be hard ions like calcium and magnesium ions are removed from the water.
Because you can but the regeneration process on a meter, the Fleck 5600 SXT only creates soft water when it needs to.
The brine tank design means it can hold up to 250 pounds of pelleted salt. (Pelleted salt is a better choice if you’re thinking about costs. While potassium chloride pellets are for you if you prefer the eco-friendly option.)
This unit also comes with a safety float and overflow drain, which prevents overfilling.
Fleck 5600 SXT has not 1 but 2 separate warranties. It comes with a 5 year warranty on the head and a 10 year warranty for the tank.
It has many positive customer reviews, which you can check on Amazon.
Fleck 7000SXT Water Softener
This Fleck model is ideal for people who need a bigger capacity water softener.
This is because it can handle 64,000 grains (which is a lot!).
This specific model uses the Fleckâs 7000 valve, which is one of the latest valve types.
It is a 1.25 valve that allows a high pressure flow and works with 35 gpm.
The Fleck 7000 SXT water softener has got an integral microprocessor which controls the device.
However, you can program it to make sure it is highly efficient at creating new soft water but uses minimal salt consumption.
Fleck 9100SXT Dual Tank Water Softener
The 9100SXT is a twin tank system. This means it is much more efficient and has a faster processing time.
The tanks alternate which means you never run out of soft water.
If you have a high level of hardness and need a larger capacity, this machine is right for you.
It is particularly good for a large family household or commercial setting.
This is because the Fleck 9100SXT has something called an “On-Demand Flow meter”.
The meter looks at how much water you use and then only produces more soft water when necessary.
Here is some technical information for those that need it.
The maximum flow rate for this unit is 12 gpm. While the resin for each tank has a 1.5 cubic feet capacity.
Fleck Water Softener Installation
One of the best things about fleck is that you don’t need a professional plumber to install it for you.
This is unlike many other water softeners that are more expensive.
There are tons of online videos that take you through the installation process step-by-step.
Below is one example of an official video by ABCwaters (the makers of Fleck) showing you how to install a Fleck water softener.
Water Softener Installation Tutorial | Video by ABCwaters
Fleck Water Softener Price
Fleck whole house waster softening systems tend to cost upwards of $1100, with units that provide a higher capacity of water softening being more expensive.
Is Fleck Softener WORTH It?
The short answer is no.
If you go through the many customer Fleck water softener reviews online a common remark is how easy it is to use the units.
Others comment on how efficient Flecks machines are and most people seem to be very happy with the water softening results.
If you’re on a tight budget Fleck has more affordable offerings that still deliver good water softening capabilities.
However, I no longer think buying a Fleck is a good idea.
The main reason is that fact that Fleck softeners don’t provide you with adequate or integrated water filters.
Flecks ONLY treat hard water. That’s it.
This means that when I recommended people to get a Fleck in the past they usually come back asking for how to get their water filtered and I didn’t have any quick or easy solutions.
But there are more reasons why I don’t recommend Fleck anymore.
Let me explain further.
Fleck vs Aquasana? (Whole House Salt FREE Softener + Filter)
The Aquasana Rhino will treat ALL the problems with your water not just hard water like a regular water softener. This system will treat sediments, contaminants, hard water etc.
Comes with a good capacity which means it can sufficiently provide purified water for the average home of 1-4 people.
It will treat 1,000,000 (1 million) gallons. This essentially means it can take 10 years before you need to replace the filters.
The powerful filters remove things like volatile organic chemicals (VOC’s), herbicides, chlorine, heavy metals like mercury, lead and much more.
Comes with a professional installation kit.
It does NOT use or need salt.
Despite not needing any salt it can still effectively treat hard water up to 24 parts per million (which is extremely hard).
The UV filter will effectively treat bacteria viruses and chlorine resistant cysts.
Its filters are certified to IAPMO and NSF standards.
Get direct from Aquasana (the manufacturer) in order to get a 90-Day “Pure Satisfaction” guarantee.
Fleck vs SpringWell? (Salt-Based Softener and Filter)
This salt based softener and whole house filter is ideal for very hard water.
Consider getting this softener and filter model because:
This is a combined salt-based softener and whole house filter in one single device.
It can take care of itself (set it and forget it).
Good at dealing with very hard water.
Treats water with a multi stage filtration process including a powerful carbon medium filter.
Comes with a valve so once installed it will allow you to control and monitor the machine.
Comes with a 6 month guarantee and limited lifetime warranty.
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| Treats hard water UP TO 25 ppm (low to medium low hard water). | Treats hard water OVER 25 ppm (medium to extremely hard water). |
| Does NOT require electricity. | Requires electricity if using the electronic head monitor. |
| Control Your System With An App:? NO | Control Your System With An App:? YES |
| - Powerful salt-FREE water softener. - 1,000,000 one million gallon capacity. - Aquasana Rhino exceeds NSF standards. - Treats hard water WITHOUT salt. - Removes chlorine, bacteria, iron, sulfide, manganese, mercury, lead etc. - Includes pre-filter, copper-zinc and carbon filtration stages with standard fittings. - 90-Day Pure Satisfaction Guarantee. - Limited 10 year warranty. | - Powerful salt-BASED water softener. - 1,000,000 one million gallon capacity. - Also includes a multi-stage filter. - Easy installation (inside or outside) - Sufficient for 1-3 bathrooms (options for 4-6 and 7+ bathrooms also available). - 6 month money back guarantee. - Limited lifetime warranty. |
| $$$ Ships to US and CA. | $$$ Ships to US, CA and Puerto Rico. |
| Sale prices automatically applied by clicking this link. | |
| If there is *no* sale try coupon code: AQGEEK50 | Coupon Code: GEEK5 |
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