Water Softener Review - Water Boss Pro 180 and Pro Plus 380 High Efficiency Water Softeners

[@katiemadden2667]

Hi Gary thanks so much for such a helpful video I know it's been 4 years since you posted but still glad I found it. Just had a WaterBoss Pro 180 installed, and was reviewing the manual because I was suspicious that things were not running efficiently. I discovered a couple of things one being what a salt bridge is. I'm not sure that's exactly what was going on but I had over packed the salt into this softener. It was only installed about a month ago by a qualified contractor though he is not a licensed plumber. I also had reached out to the company itself for support on setting up the unit after the contractor left. And the woman on that phone call told me to go ahead and fill up the reservoir with salt all the way. I think this was a big mistake. I live in a farming community in Central Illinois where it is quite humid. So the combination of overpacking and humidity I ended up with a very solid wall of salt that I could not penetrate when I tested it with a broomstick. That is when I did some research and found what a salt bridge is. However I did not find a pocket of air like they said you would under a salt bridge, but more so it was a solid wall of hardened salt that I could not break through. Now I understand not to overfill for sure. But through all this I discovered a part is missing from the back of the pro 180. It's the gravity overflow connection elbow. I cannot get anyone to answer the phone at WaterBoss. So I'm reaching out to you to see if that is something you sell? Not sure if that part was missing in the packaging or if the contractor just didn't use it and threw it out. Another thing that's very confusing is the salt itself, as I have found mixed feedback as to which type is really best. The company recommends a solar salt or a pellet, and I chose a solar crystal salt but I'm not sure that is ideal for my region. I don't know if you have any comments about the compressed pellets, iron out vs not, etc. My little farming Community has well water supplied to its residents and it is known for having some iron content as well as pretty significant tannins. Any comments you might have would be deeply appreciated, thanks for all you do I enjoyed your video.

[@water_estore]

Generally speaking, I prefer pellets, this video might help kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5jVpmukqrmCes0

[@deere3321]

I'm going to be installing one of these in my sons home this weekend. There are 2 people and a baby with hardness of 20. Is the 180 the right size?

[@scottkuyawa67]

I'd say yes just got the 180 for household of 1-2 and hardness 21 with 0 iron.

[@Gragon]

Hi. Whats the difference between pro 180 and waterboss 700? Which one would you recommend?

[@water_estore]

good question! Waterboss or Aquamaster 700 has a much better controller waterestore.ca/products/aquamaster-ams-700-high-efficiency-water-softener

[@stevehufnagle4165]

How many cubic feet of resin in a Water Boss PRO3800? Do you recommend replacing the resin? It's in good shape but been sitting 3 years and does not seem to be softening the water even after using the Water Boss resin cleaner.

[@water_estore]

I would not try to change the resin in one of these. Too difficult.

[@edmiddleton8138]

Hi Gary, love your videos. Just watched your video on High eff. water softeners...waterboss models. I'm torn between these canister type softeners and the two tank system that you also sell. Are the two tank systems as efficient? My leaning towards the two tank system slightly is the ease for maintenance both with respect to accessibility and availability of parts. I have no concern over space as this is going in my unfinished basement. Can you give me some help on which model is better...waterboss...or Clack? thx.

[@water_estore]

Great questions. Unfortunately there is no clear cut winner, which is why we offer both. WaterBoss uses less salt and water during regeneration. Clack is easier to maintain and parts or more readily accessible. Generally speaking if you are on well water with some iron, the Cl;ack softener is the better choice. On a municipal water system the WaterBoss is the way to go.

[@edmiddleton8138]

@@water_estore Ok Gary here's my plan. Looking for your comments. We have chlorine around 2.5ppm, hardness is 23 gpg and 40 mg/l of Sodium. Not concerned over sodium as no one is on a low sodium diet. 1. Water comes into the house and we bleed a line off of it to first supply water to outside hoses for lawn and garden. 2. Remainder of water goes through a whole house carbon filter to remove the chlorine. 3. After the carbon filter a line is taken to the kitchen sink separate drinking water outlet and to the fridge water line. This will provide non-chlorinated, 40 mg/l Na hard water for drinking which I think should be ok. 4. Remainder of carbon filtered water goes through the softener to supply to all of the house needs including kitchen sink for dishes but not drinking. Should Sodium be a problem in the future (i.e. we need to cut it down for health reasons) we can change the supply of water to the sink and fridge to softened water and then add an RO unit. How does this sound? Any major problems. Still trying to figure out whether carbon filter is better than a backwashable carbon vessel in terms of cost in the long run. thanks,

[@stevegoulding574]

Gary, I have a Water Boss Pro plus 380 water softener that I purchased about 1 1/2 years ago. 2 days ago a water main broke in my subdivision and a Boil Order was needed. I would like to sanitize/disinfect the water softener. The owners manual (item 10 on page 4) said to add 4 ounces of bleach to the brine well, but the brine well cover is difficult to remove. I believe I should remove the nut on the back of the brine cabinet to remove the brine well cover and lift out the part that is over the cover, but was not sure if this is correct. Please let me know how to proceed. Thank you

[@water_estore]

Yes, the brine well cover is difficult to remove but you can open it up enough to add the bleach.

[@pilotdog68]

Hi Gary, how long does the KDF media last in these units? Does it need to be replaced like a normal filter would? Or does the softener backwash the KDF media when it does a regen cycle?

[@water_estore]

Great question. The KDF media will last about 25 years.

[@ellezee4017]

Hi Gary, I have a WaterBoss Model 700 that, nearly as I can tell, is about 17 years old. It seems like it may be using more salt than normal and I'm having trouble with water spots. What should I check or do/do first before I think about maybe replacing it with a new Pro 180? I really have been happy with the WaterBoss softener and would for sure like to go that route again if it would need to be replaced. Another question, if I would need to replace it..... what differences are there from the Model 700 and the Pro 180 that I should keep in mind? I'm in the US so am not able to stop in your store! Your videos are great and very helpful. Thanks so much!!!!

[@water_estore]

Have your raw water and treated water tested and once compared you will learn if it is working or not. The Model 700 has a better controller than the 180. did you check out my water softener troubleshooting video? kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqOWm6x9nq-XeZI

[@adiadon25]

My mom has a waterboss 380 and its blinking 00? It seems it should not do this. Can you advise on why? Thanks,

[@water_estore]

It is just showing the remaining gallons before regeneration. See page 12 of the manual here www.waterbosspro.com/media/Pro-ProPlus_Manual.pdf

[@newbee509]

Love my Water Boss. My 2nd. It is recommended to remove the dissolved salt in the bottom yearly? I've not added any salt lately so I have access to this and have loosened as much as I can? Thanks. Great video.

[@newbee509]

@@water_estore Thanks for your fast response. WOW! In the country I had a lot of iron. If a faucet dripped over night my sink/tub was stained dark orange. My Water Boss eliminated that issue. I now live in town and own one because laundry soap and bath soap lasts longer. Soap scum and corrosion are greatly reduced also. I hired a plumber to install mine but maintain it myself. Your ratings are spot on.!! I considered another brand and asked a company to give me an estimate on installation, water and salt consumption. I told him I was a previous owner of a Water Boss. The man finally admitted, "we can't hold a candle to Water Boss. Less salt and water usage when regenerating." It's unbelievable... Really.... Check out the stats on both water and salt usage, people! It's amazing. Thanks again for your quick response but more importantly your honesty Gary.

[@roxylovesdaisies]

What did Gary say about removing loose salt yearly ?

[@newbee509]

@@roxylovesdaisies He said it wasn't necessary but there was about 6-8" of hardened salt so I removed it anyway. Now I only use Morton Salt. I have a cousin who has had one for close to 30 years and raised 5 children and still has the original. Hope this helps.

[@roxylovesdaisies]

@@newbee509 OH you found the salt bridge, my first water softener i had for 13 years , i thought fill it up to the top and did not know about not running water while regenerating. After 12 years the salt quit moving, I took it all out, the bridge of salt 1/3 way from the bottom & under that was loose salt. cleaned it all out, then oh i found the brine well :P then the pistons, i cleaned it all up , & tada it worked for 6 months and died, I got a new one Water Boss Pro 180 , now i know how to program it , fill it 1/3 full just covering the water level. (not to the top) & not wash clothes while regenerating :P etc. Plus can turn on by pass while watering the lawn. (which i did when the city flushed their system. I sure learned a lot in May 2021

[@roxylovesdaisies]

I use Morton salt too, just 40 pounds is getting heavy for this grandma.

[@nicholejacko2349]

my water boss is flashing E2. This softer has just been installed. What do I need to do?

[@water_estore]

I would call the manufacturer or whomever you purchased it from.

[@silvernursern4055]

@garythewaterguy Hi gary, Im on a municipal water service and im concerned about iron and other mineral deposits, I water is hard at 9 grains, the water boss 700, what can it do for me. My goal is to get a water softner and eventually an RO system under the counter.

[@water_estore]

We can definitely help you. Please email us at [e-mail] with where you are located and I can make some recommendations.

[@roxylovesdaisies]

What do you think of Morton Waves salt blocks instead of pellets. Easy to carry for Grandma here :P

[@roxylovesdaisies]

Single girl

[@water_estore]

I have never used salt blocks so I really do not know.

[@roxylovesdaisies]

@@water_estore I'll keep using my pellets.

[@jl456]

My new water boss is full of water what went wrong ?

[@jl456]

@@water_estore thanks for the information 👍

[@jimmedin4314]

What does the code "HO" Mean?

[@water_estore]

HO just means that the water softener is in service, that is, currently softening the water.

[@ryanbrand3946]

I tried 3 waterboss softners, and not one made it past 3 years.

[@water_estore]

Wow, most of my customers get well over 15 years and many over 20 years. What caused yours to fail and what symptoms did you have that they failed? Did you contact your dealer or the factory to troubleshoot and repair? Did you try to repair? Did all 3 fail the same way? Please let me know.

[@Jennifer-zx7hk]

If you sell Waterboss softeners, how does a person reach you.

[@water_estore]

Yes, we sell WaterBoss. You can reach us at [e-mail]

[@jl456]

If these are so great why so many bad reviews on the internet?🤔

[@jl456]

@@water_estore oh ok bought one of these yesterday and installed it in my home still waiting for the soft water . Maybe I need to turn up the hardness they tested my water at 24 grains.

[@jl456]

@@water_estore I think it was the hard water still left in the hot water heater because it is softner now..thanks!

[@paulaerickson2943]

Do not buy this product. It is billed as DYI but came without fittings that were needed. No one sells them so had to wait 3 days for customer service to send. Then when in the laundry area and ready to start, the hot/cold, in/out is backward from "normal" $550 plumbing bill later it is working. Never again. Go back to Morton. They owe us money.

[@paulaerickson2943]

@@water_estore Sorry. you are completely incorrect. The manual inside of the box clearly states(after a long read....)that the couplings are not included. I found an old manual online where it states they are included. If it is a DIY product, one does not want to have to figure out what to substitute. We called customer service and they took 3 days to arrive. They at customer service of your own company know they are no longer included and have no idea why. They are shipping them out every day to people like us. Go to Menards and buy one yourself. And the in/out to the water softener is backward from the last 2 softeners we have owned and installed ourselves in this house. Hence, the plumber for $550. Thanks for nothing.

[@57susiek]

@@paulaerickson2943 I bought my ProPlus 380 at Menards. Everything was in the box. I just had to hire a plumber to install.

[@ryanholford2731]

I searched how this works not what you thought about it. You didnt say one thing on how this system works. Just bought a house and this softener is in this house and I'm trying to figure out how it works. So you waste as much time reading this as I did watching your video

[@water_estore]

This video is a Review, if you want to learn about how a water softener works you need to watch this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5XQdmCenc1jbpY