The electronic control head is programmable through a back-lit LCD screen. You can program four different modes for meter-based regeneration. This way the amount of water passing through this system is measured for an optimal regeneration process.  The modes available include delayed meter regeneration, immediate regeneration, a day of the week setting, and a delayed time clock regeneration. This option covers a lot of bases and makes using this unit much easier. This Fleck system also has a safety float which prevents overfilling of the brine tank. There’s also an overflow drain which is a further backup to avoid flooding.

Another thing that you will notice when during installation is that a few parts are missing to complete the setup. For the system to work, you will need to buy two more plastic lines. During installation, you might also notice that there are a few smaller plastic parts. Considering the material of choice and quality, you might experience minor leaks.

Finally, this system is heavy and big. The weight isn’t much of an issue when you put it in its place. In contrast, the size can make fitting it into small spaces challenging. That’s why you need to make sure you have enough room for this unit.

The entire box is quite heavy since it includes the resin beads and stainless steel parts. That’s why we decided to take one part out at a time and move the system to its final destination. Since the shipping weight is over 100 lbs., we recommend that you get someone to help you out or to move the parts one by one like we did.

One more thing to note is room requirements. Because of the bypass valve and connections leading up to water mains, this unit can take up to a foot of room behind the control head. When you add the tanks to this, you need to make sure the whole system can fit into its designated space.

You should also take care when installing the beads. The funnel in the package can be pushed out of the resin tank from the weight of the beads which will send them flying all over the floor. Finally, the package includes only one plastic line, but for the system to work you need three.

Depending on the type of salt you use, you might need to clean the brine tank more or less often. Salt high in impurities is cheaper but can cause significant build-up. The brine tank can hold a lot of softening salts, up to 250 pounds, and the system doesn’t use that much in comparison for regeneration.

Something that might cause maintenance issues are some of the plastic parts that come with this water softener system. We didn’t have any problems but weren’t impressed with the quality. Some users recommend buying a stainless steel shut off valve, instead of the plastic one that comes with this system.

As far as durability, there are no problems yet, which coincides with most of the reviews out there. We’ve been running the system for about two months without pause. But, this doesn’t mean that we don’t have any concerns. Many of the parts are plastic, and some can cause problems if they break down. A minority of verified Amazon reviewers had issues with leaks. Some were just drips, while other’s required immediate attention. Since the Fleck 5600 SXT offers such good value for its price, you might want to consider buying a few stainless steel replacement parts. You can install them right away or like us, opt to use them if the original ones break down.

WHY FLECK 5600SXT IS THE BEST WATER SOFTENER ON THE MARKET

We have tried out and reviewed many different softener systems. We have talked to plumbers that install and service water softener systems for a living, but also looked online for answers. In the end, the name most mentioned was the Fleck 5600 SXT, in a positive light, of course. It is a worthwhile purchase for many different reasons.

This product has a control head fitted with modern electronics and an LCD screen that minimizes maintenance. The programming offers everything a household could need. This unit can serve up to 6 people with ease continuously, not counting regeneration cycles which can be set to low usage hours. The included brine tank can hold enough salt so that you’ll need to refill it every few months or even less often. When it comes to quality, the most important parts are stainless steel, and tanks are 100% poly glass. For peace of mind, Fleck offers an excellent warranty on both tanks and the control head.

Considering what this system offers, you’ll need little else for water softening. All units come with their pros and cons, but none offer what the Fleck 5600 SXT offers. That’s why it is the best water softener system on the market.

Hard water can cause significant damage to your water installation over time. It can cause more maintenance issues with appliances like washing machines, boilers, and dishwashers. Furthermore, hard water lowers the effectiveness of all cleaning products. This then raises costs because you have to use more detergent to wash clothes for example. Finally, the biggest concern for you and your family should be health. Consuming hard water can affect your skin and hair, among other things.

Luckily for everyone facing these problems, there are many water softener systems available. The product that stands out for its performance, durability and price is the Fleck 5600 SXT. It is ideal for a household of up six people, a large family. This unit will save you money with through its efficiency and through the softened water it provides.