"Salt Free" or "No Salt" Water Softeners just DO NOT WORK! Replacement of Aquasana "Rhino" System

[@maxriptide]

They work as advertised. The customer likely did not read or understand what they were purchasing…a water conditioner not a softener. They crystallize the minerals so they dont scale up your pipes. If, however the water goes into a tank after conditioning it will re crystallize over time as shown in the humidifier tank, so best used with tankless water heater. I advise reading up a bit on the subject sir

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

You haven’t a clue “pinhead” about what you are talking about! What you said makes no sense - recrystallize after going through a tank? What? Huh? Clogs heat exchanger in tankless water heaters just as bad even worse. I’m sorry “zippy” but they really have NO scientific studies showing that they work at all - none - I challenge you to read up yourself and find one just one.

[@camaperture8116]

@@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland "pinhead" and "zippy"? Nice reply. I wouldn't hire you with an attitude like that. And the person who posted that comment is right. The Aquasana is not a softener, it's a conditioner which does not reduce hardness, rather it conditions the water to prevent scale. It's listed on Amazon as a water softener alternative, not a water softener. Whether or not it actually works, I don't know.

[@titaniummaster1532]

@@camaperture8116correct

[@slowknowing]

Aquasana is water conditioning system. It turns scale into crystals. Mineral crystals do not build up on pipes. In fact mineral crystals will descale old pipes over time. With a conditioning system the water will not be soft and laundry will still feel stiff but your pipes are free from scale build up.

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

Erik I know what this “conditioning system” is advertised to do but other than making the water taste better because of the carbon filters it comes with - it does nothing. There are NO scientific studies even proving the descaling claims. Fake! That is the best way to put it - like witchcraft. The humidifier panel shown in this video demonstrates that the system has no effect on the scaling from calcium hardness.

[@maxriptide]

@@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland …They work. it crystallizes the minerals so they do not collect in the pipes as scale. If, however the water is stored in a tank after conditioning, the minerals will de crystallize over time as shown in the humidifier tank. So best used with a tankless water heater system. Your customer purchased a product that is not designed to give them the results they were expecting that is all.

[@janneyovertheocean9558]

I don't know the exact nature of this Aquasana system, but it does not look like a salt-based water softening system but rather a 'salt-free' hard water 'conditioning' system, which uses either TAC or other material to crystalize calcium and magnesium ions into micro-crystals, then these flow back into the water stream, used by customers for house hold usages, then flow into the sewage. I happen to be looking for a salt-free water conditioning system for over a year now, and I had viewed and read about the traditional salt based system vs the salt-fee system extensively, so I know they are totally different way of dealing with hard water situations. To call a salt-free conditioner 'Water Softener' is a total misnomer !!! A 'No-Salt' or 'Salt-Free' system can be used effectively with two prerequisites: 1. the water source cannot be too high in the inherent calcium and magnesium concentration or other materials that increase granular count, also cannot be high in iron or manganese, if so, the water needs to be pre-treated to lower these latter minerals, otherwise it will NOT work. 2. If the water is sourced from a well, it needs to be pre-treated with adequate/effective pre-filters or filters. The several brands of salt-free hard water conditioner manufacturers that I have viewed online all mention about these information about their product. It'd foolish and asking for trouble (in having dissatisfied customers if they don't make it clear. Although I have not gone back to view Aquasana's website about this, I am pretty sure they did advise about these two important aspects. If a customer fails to read carefully and thus know about it, but proceeds to buy it online, then installed, esp. given their water source is well water (as mentioned by the narrator), I do not think it is surprising that the granule count is the same before and after the system ! It's certainly not fair to blame or claim that Aquasana made false advertisement. (I am just a regular consumer and I have no connection with any brand of these water treatment systems.)

[@elmateo624]

Mr Water - Howdy! I have the exact Aquasana setup from your video and we’re in a new build for about 8 months. We are on well water. We are not happy. Shower heads, faucet heads etc are getting clogged up, when I wash the car if I don’t dry it quickly I have substantial mineral deposits left on the car. Wish I was in Maryland but I’m not! Would you recommend installing a water softener before or after the Aquasana system? Or just doing what you did in your video and rip the whole system out? Thanks!

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

Just remove it and get one from Lowes or Home Depot if you have too. At least it will work to actually soften the water. Snake oil salesmen are what they are - sorry you got taken for a ride.

[@CosminRotaru]

I can buy in my area some "cationic resin filter" that should last like 6 months, as advertised. Is this a water softener where you replace the filter instead of regenerating it with salt? Or is it still a water conditioner? Thanks!

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

Basically it’s a filter with cation exchange water softener resin in it. Once exhausted it’s finished working - done. There are empty filter cartridges you can buy and refill with softener resin, dump out and refill again and again. Best just get a water softener installed instead.

[@kbbvwelsh9334]

I'm on city well water and it's hard. The system that came with the house was already installed by kinetico. It doesn't work so it's bypassed. The new system you installed looks somewhat easy to install. My house is 2100 sqft. Would that work for this house. Thanks

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

City well water? Your water has to come from somewhere but you just have municipal water. The resin in the Kinetico system is most likely kaput from the chlorine - and if they weren't such a pain to work on I would say replace the resin but thats not going to be worth the trouble. A 32,000 grain softener system with carbon pre-filter is what you need.

[@kbbvwelsh9334]

@@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland Thanks for your help. Home Depot has the Rheem 32,000 for $350 bucks. Is this any good. I appreciate it.

[@Allworld365]

I was about to order the aquasana system and saw this video. I would like this system you installed in that customer’s home. I also live in Maryland

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

Use this link to my contact form and fill it out please: www.ifixh2o.com/contact-mr-water/

[@ericc8895]

Our well water smells like sulfur, would this get rid of that smell?

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

An aeration system works best Eric.

[@janneyovertheocean9558]

No, it won't. Iron, sulfur, Manganese containing well water needs to be treated first before the water entering this kind (salt-free) of system. You can fund information about this aspect of water issues readily online.

[@nathanboswell2097]

The softener and main filter are installed incorrectly (should flow through the rhino filter first then to the softener), and the flow through each one is backwards. No wonder the owner was having issues.

[@GregMeece]

I note that you tested the dissolved levels before removing the AquaSana system - did you do the same *after* you installed the water softener? Seems like that would help sell your point if you had the data to back it up. Not challenging your expertise or whatever - just curious as to what the hardness levels were after you installed your system.

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

Hardness 0 gpg of course

[@gabrielstern4992]

You do have a point. My only criticism is why did you not also install a neutralizer after the softener. And check the acidity levels. As I watched another of your videos. In my case I am on city water. Which is very hard and loaded with chemicals. And I am in a condo in southeastern PA. So I am going to start with to dislodge all the crap in my pipes a yarma descaler system and the 48 version and install after it. Either one or 2 10 stage filters after it that tier 1 makes that are really good. And if that does not clean up my water enough I will install a conventional softener but if I do I like to set the bypass valves to a half a degree so the hardness is just enough to not get the slimy feeling. And the reason why I bring up why aren't you also installing neutralizer after the softener is because salt based softeners take out almost all the minerals and a calcite based neutralizer puts calcium and magnesium back into the water and rebalances the ph. I know this because my mothers house is on well water and her set up is sediment filter after the preasure tank softener with the bypass valves set to a half degree and a neutralizer as the final unit. And the water untreated has a really high iron content also. And her water with that setup looks feels and tastes just like spring water. My case is different. Also the yarnna guys keep saying it is not recomended to use their capacitive based descaler softener systems with a salt based system but that is simply untrue. And there guys keep saying salt based softeners put high amounts of sodium in the drinking water which is also untrue as the salt is only used to clean the resin during the regeneration process. Yes it might put a high amount of salt in the septic tank or sewer system. But that's about it. I bring that up because I think 1. You should test the yarna descaler system and research it. 2. I think you should be aware of some of the nonsense some guys are saying about salt based softeners which is not true. 3. The yarna capacitive descaler systems which send electrical frequencies through the pipes will in some cases work well with your systems. By keeping the pipes clear before it hits the filters and softeners on well water homes. But can be beneficial on city water. And it has really good reviews.

[@trlalli92]

This customer seriously didn't push to return the system!? Amazon generally takes everything back, especially seeing the proof that the system isn't performing as Aquasana promises! How much did you charge to install your system?

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

I agree he maybe should have tried to return at least the UV Light that was clearly defective. He was so disgusted with the performance of the system as a whole he just blamed himself. He is an attorney, this demonstrates how slick the false advertising is as to fool him. ALL ULTRAVIOLET LIGHTS have the same water quality parameters for proper operation (less than 7 gpg of hardness) - so given the fact THIS IS NOT A WATER SOFTENER - how Aquasana (and Amazon) justify selling this combination of equipment when they certainly know it isn't going to work properly is not only unethical but should be illegal. Giving families a false sense of security that the water is going to be disinfected and soft only further illustrates the lack of regulation in the industry I have proudly been a part of for 34 years. The warranty for a UV Light installed on hard water is no doubt voided the second the installation is completed - tell me something isn't wrong with that!! Now, if customers know ahead of time that cleaning the quartz sleeve on a routine basis, making sure the light has a SIGNIFICANTLY larger GPM rating then the max water usage in an average residence of about 5-7 GPM and NO iron, sulfur or turbidity and the bacteria you are trying to kill IS NOT E-COLI - then maybe you could get away with it. If you are treating for e-coli you had better make damn sure it's installed correctly with the proper pretreatment in place. Fortunately most people are healthy enough that being exposed to low levels of coliform bacteria in their water supply can be tolerated and not make them seriously ill and therefor a UV Light not working as it should seldom is a very serious issue - but e-coli is from animal feces - and is a totally different and nasty issue!!

[@AGoogleUser-x1n]

amazon has gotten really bad...and now are starting to rip off american buyers. they are using foreign offshore workers from the phillipines and india who get paid only around 1 or 2 usd..... thus following every american coroporate instructions from the usa to make it very very difficult for custoemrs to return items. even warranties...from those sellers no logner exits. as soon as they a product on amazon...they go out of business and change names and reappear on amazon. and gues what ...amazon is promoting this fraud scheme

[@gabrielstern4992]

The yarna systems actually descale the water quite well using electrical frequencies and they have 3 different versions. And their 48 model sells for around 400 dollars. And needs to be installed before any filters or other equipment. The problem is their tech people keep spreading misinformation that you can't use in conjunction with a salt based system and neutralizer if necessary which is just not true. As in really severe cases it can help keep the softeners and filters from getting overloaded as much. And make it easier on them. So the salt based softener over time might not have to regenerate so often and the filters before a softener would in some cases last longer over time. Fine if you want to sell a product but when on Amazon in the question section people keep asking can I keep my existing softener or use it in conjunction with a salt based softener. Their tech people should just say. Yes it's possible but you should consult your local plumber or water treatment specialist. If you are unsure. Instead of factual inaccurate information that confuse people and make them think they have to get rid of their existing system to with a salt based softner to use the yarna. Maybe I am harping a little but that kind of stuff just makes me mad. Even if the product is good and works if installed and use in the proper way.

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

Sorry Gabriel those systems do not work at all. They have never been proven by ANY scientific studies and are a total waste of money. Home Depot and Lowes sold similar systems years ago but stopped because of all the consumer complaints and therefore refunds. Has zero effect on water quality tantamount to witchcraft. You are absolutely incorrect stating that it will prevent “overloading” of a water softener. These so called “electric frequencies” have no effect on water quality at all - nothing. There is a sucker born every minute - please Gabriel don’t let that be you!!

[@gabrielstern4992]

@@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland I am definitely listening to you. I definitely agree with you about those culligan I spring systems. Especially if they are carbon based that does nothing. Except remove sediment and some chlorine. What bothers me is companies that are selling so called salt free softeners. The system I was referring to was a descaler. System That uses electrical frequencies. In my condo the challenge is I am on city water that is very hard and is overloaded with chemicals including lead and high amounts of contaminants that are beginning to destroy my copper pipes. I am trying to get rid of the copper over time and go pex. I did use a countertop version of the old enviro new wave 10 stage filters. And that absolutely works. But 3 years ago new wave redesigned it into a junky filter. Thankfully tier one has come out with that exact same filter that is a 2.5 by 10 filter which works better than reverse osmosis without the waste water and can filter the whole house. And that filter has calcite in it. And lasts up to 1500 gallons If set up correctly. But I am still deciding if I should go traditional softener and neutralizer. After filtering out all that junk as I also have developed severe skin sensitivities. As for descalers I don't like the ao Smith one at all because it wears out. I am just trying to start out with the basics. What concerns me is that yarna while it may be a decent product for some cases and get good reviews. Is the misinformation they are spreading about traditional softeners. And making people think they have to get rid of their existing salt based softeners to use them. I am actaully going to post to you the link on Amazon so you can actaully see what I am talking about. System

[@gabrielstern4992]

@@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland I have also decided before I do anything to call the guy who I have known for years to come out and test my Water. Who also handles my mom's system. And consult with him on what I need to do to clean up my water.

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

@@gabrielstern4992 Gabriel - you keep referring to water softeners as “salt based systems” but that is not how water softeners work. They are ion exchange systems that exchange cations. Calcium, lead, ferrous iron, radium, zinc are among the cations exchanged - there is no salt in your water at all with a water softener. Salt is sodium chloride. Sodium is a metal cation positively charged - chloride is an anion negatively charged. They combine as common table salt. The resin in a cation exchange water just “exchanges” one ion for another that is it. In other words for every cation (hardness as calcium) that sticks to the resin beads an equal amount of sodium is sloughed off imparted into the water supply - just one swapped for the other. That is how a water softener actually REMOVES the calcium from water - sodium is much less reactive in water and therefore much more desirable than calcium. This is the only method that really works. “Electrifying” does nothing because the calcium is still in the water unchanged. The chlorides are wash away down the drain during regeneration and the sodium adheres to the resin again making it charged with cations ready to start the cation exchange process over again. Please read my patents - patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/9c/9a/8c/f45768eccd773c/US9499417.pdf

[@gabrielstern4992]

@@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland yes I know that I know salt is only used during the regeneration process. To clean the resins the reason I am referring to it that way is because if you look at that Amazon link I sent you which is really a descaler system. Not a softener system. Is because a lot of guys as a marketing gimmick are trying to trick people into thinking salt based or traditional softeners are bad. Please look at the Amazon link I sent you for the yarna descaler system and what they are telling people and the question section. Where people kept asking can I add this to my salt based softener. Meaning it uses salt to clean the resin. And what these guys seling were saying. I pushed back as much as I could and said typically yes but i would talk to a professional first. Again like I told you I personally love my moms properly treated well water with a traditional water softener and a neutralizer that goes after her sediment filter as the water in my area is very acidic and hard. And yes I know no salt actaully goes into the water if the softener is working corectly. But if you look at the yarna site on Amazon they make it sound like the water treated is filled with ions of salt after going through a water softener. Which I know is false. As for a water softener itself I prefer to set both bypass valves on the intake and outake a half a degree to avoid the slimy feeling. Also yarna is not the only one but I have seen upon doing a youtube search several companies doing that. Again for me personally I have no issue with a good electronic descaler placed before a good filtration system And adding a softener to that setup and along with a neutralizer if that's needed. But what I have an issue with is referring to an electronic descaler system as a water softener.

[@trejea1754]

Is this house on well water, or city water?

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

Good question - constant pressure well system

[@imbatido]

Thanks for the video. I saw an Amazon reviews of this product, some guy posting before and after tests and it seems hardness went down from 400 PPM to like 150. He also claims that strong sulfur smell went away. How is it even possible?

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

It’s only possible for a short time if the system has some carbon either filters or contained in the tank for the sulfur to be removed - 150 ppm hardness is still 8.7 gpg and hard water. Like I said maybe softer and no smell for a few hundred gallons or so then system caput

[@Big_ol_bass]

They're great for hard water. Customer is inept, can't blame the system.

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

You have no clue what you are talking about dude - they do not work at all

[@Monterrey_Manila]

Thank you!!!!!! Close to buy this crap ,thanks

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

Yes just remember - "No salty, no worky!"

[@jpthsd]

I've been using Aquasana same systems for 6 years, I could tell the system doesn't descale or just very very minimal descaling done. It's been 6 years,,,2 or 3 more years I will replace it by Springwell or Pelican system. Their systems do remove the scales!

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

Springwell and Pelican system exactly like the Aquasana system - don’t be fooled!! Zero descaling I’m sorry - remember “No Salty, No Worky”

[@jpthsd]

@@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland Ah ha! Good to know so I will not waste money on another system which does exactly the same then LoL !!

[@gabrielstern4992]

Yes don't spend 2 thousand dollars on so called salt free softeners. Certain frequency capicitive based descalers can help depending on the situation or in conjunction with filters and salt based softeners as necessary. And they cost less than 500 dollars such as the yarna descalers. Systems and they don't require any pipe cutting. And they have good reviews but beware of the misinformation the yarna or sellers on Amazon are spreading that confuse people who may want to keep their existing softeners and setup. Even if their product is a good product.

[@bearmeister98]

Aquasana doesn't produce a water softener, it's a water conditioner that keeps the minerals from binding to existing plumbing. It does not remove minerals and their systems are not advertised as being capable of doing so. If the owners did their homework or inquired about the systems purpose to the builder they would have realized this. I have this exact system and it works great, it just doesn't "soften" the water. Water softeners generally don't filter the water so it greatly depends on the customers needs. But the false statement in your opening monologue that Aquasana is somehow advertising this is disingenuous. Read their product information, it's very clear. As for the UV light, if the crystal sleeve it's inserted into or the light itself was damaged that isn't the UV lights fault, but possibly the installer.

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

So called “salt free” or “no salt” Water Softeners are NOT Water Softeners at all and DO NOT actually soften water by removing any calcium, magnesium or iron from the water and they have NO peer reviewed scientific studies proving they work at all. Claims of catalytic processes and anti-scaling properties have no demonstrated validity. Cation exchange Water Softeners have been in use for over 85 years and are the ONLY type of water softener system any home or business owner should consider purchasing. So "bearmeister98" the Aquasana systems they sell have NO scientific studies proving they work at all. I have read their website for years and watched them slowly retreat from the "water softener" claims they had for a long time. I have replaced countless numbers of these useless systems in the last 20 years.

[@tomjarvis3171]

Wow, I’ve been ripped off by these thieves. I bought this 1,000,000 gal system in 8/2014 the descaler just developed a leak so I bought a replacement for it. Got on KZbin to find the flushing time and bingo saw this video❗️ I will be returning it for a refund and possible law suit to get my money back from the fake system❗️ Have you heard of anyone attempting to sue this company for false advertising❓

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

Yea Tom sorry to hear that, it's a shame to think that people have to be so dishonest to make a living. Reminds me of the snake oil salesman in the Clint Eastwood movie "The Outlaw Josey Wales". There is plenty of money to be made in my industry without having to resort to such sales tactics. My understanding is that it has gotten so bad in some states that there is talk of class action law suits.

[@tomjarvis3171]

@@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland If you hear of a class action law suit I would appreciate a heads up on it. Thanks again for speaking the Truth and for your response.

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

@@tomjarvis3171 Sure will Tom 👍

[@gabrielstern4992]

I guess I have been lucky my mothers house is on well water. And that's how I learned about salt based softeners and neutralizer. As the guy that installed and services the system is really good. And specializes in water treatment. There was a period of time where she stopped using this person and company and went with another company at the insistence of her general contractor several years ago who installed a smaller grain softener. And that company was using neutra mix in the neutralizer instead of just calcite. And ended up starting to destroy the copper pipes. And it was at this point I brought back into the picture the original company not run by the son. And he told me the reason why he likes to use oversized softners and neutralizers is because he likes to set them to backwash more frequently than the factory setting. Anyway that company who I brought back into the picture several years ago. Who is good and family owned and small. Replaced the neutralizer. And has been servicing her systems once again ever since with no issues. I just don't like when guys come on and think they are saving the custumer money by undersizing units. It's much better to go bigger slightly and not have issues.

[@AGoogleUser-x1n]

amazon has gotten really bad...and now are starting to rip off american buyers. they are using foreign offshore workers from the phillipines and india who get paid only around 1 or 2 usd..... thus following every american coroporate instructions from the usa to make it very very difficult for custoemrs to return items. even warranties...from those sellers no logner exits. as soon as they a product on amazon...they go out of business and change names and reappear on amazon. and gues what ...amazon is promoting this fraud scheme

[@roberttrevino62800]

so glad I skipped the Salt free mumbo jumbo

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

Yea, save your hard earned $$$$

[@bullbutter9699]

I put a 50000 gallon tank in my backyard and get it filled with Perrier water from france quarterly no city water at all Yuck!!!!

[@asgplumbing781]

Either this was installed incorrectly are you simply do not know what aquasana is capable of

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

This system was installed correctly my plumber friend - and I do know what Aquasana is capable of. They are very capable of misrepresenting their product and taking peoples money. I have replaced several systems just like this because none of them worked whatsoever.

[@Familyfun2006]

You just installed an overpriced system that charged customer first of all the aquasana was not installed properly all the fittings comes 1inch I don’t know who ever installed reduced it 3/4 plus you need a loop system and change pre filter and post and every 6 months or so and big once every 10 years my brother has one installed right 3 years no issues at

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

Yea OK whatever dude. You and your brother are not the sharpest guys around apparently. What is a loop system? Means nothing Einstein! My customer is delighted now that he has a system that really softens the water. No issues with your brothers system? Well yes because a system that does nothing causes no problems!!

[@sportsonwheelss]

This guy is such a scam. wasting the customer more money instead of really solving their problem. UV trip should be an easy fix instead of replacing a new one. Maybe look into if those were resin tank or charcoal tank to solve the problem to solve the scale problem.

[@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland]

You clearly have no clue about what you are talking about. Don't be a jerk or I will block you from making comments.

[@sportsonwheelss]

Nice way to not have negative feedback. What was that you Said? "Jerk" Very nice and convincing way to prove your point scientifically.@@Mr-Water-LLC-of-Maryland