Nigel Molesworth wrote:
On Tue, 21 Mar 2006 17:46:43 +0000, rjs wrote:

the pros and cons and what each system
is designed to do

Water Conditioners claim to reduce scale by magic. They don't.

Water Softeners virtually eliminate the calcium carbonate (limescale)
in the water by swapping the carbonate ion for the chloride ion.

And making the calcium carbonate sodium carbonate which adds an
interesting mineral water flavour.

As a
result scale is removed, the water feels more "luxurious", soap forms
a lather more easily and doesn't form scum, you need less detergent in
your washing machine, and you don't need salt in your dishwasher. I
would never go back to hard water.

Ditto.