I have had a Culligan MGA94 (30K grain)water "conditioner" for appox 3
months. I went with the culligan because I was able to get them to install
the loop (difficult re-route for outside set-up) and a 3month no obligation
trial for a very minimal price.
When they came in they tested the hardness and it came out to be about 15-17
Grains. We are 2 adults in a 2 bath home(we only use one really) in Gilbert
AZ.

The 3 month trail is about up and they monthly fee will go to 30+ a month. I
am looking to replace it (buy) but wonder...

The water really does not feel that "soft", I.I the slick feeling normally
associated with soft water isn't there. SOMETIMES you can feel it a bit,
but for the most part nothing feels different that before. I have called
culligan and they have assured me that the water is either "soft" or its
not, needless to say this did not seem right.

Culligan asked us to use the "tester" they left us which consists of a vial
and some soapy liquid to shake up with the water and it does "lather" better
than when they came in.

Shouldn't we be "feeling" the softness? This just doesn't seem to be
there/seem right.

All that said, what are your thoughts on the all in one units available a
sears(Kenmore) any other suggestions( this we be outside in the AZ heat.

Thanks for your input

"GotBonus?" wrote in message

Culligan asked us to use the "tester" they left us which consists of a
vial and some soapy liquid to shake up with the water and it does "lather"
better than when they came in.

Shouldn't we be "feeling" the softness? This just doesn't seem to be
there/seem right.

It may need some adjusting if it is not soft. There are other types of kits
that will tell you if it is soft. Othes will tell you just how hard it is.
One has a blue liquid you drop into the water and if it is soft, it says
blue, if hard, it turns pink. OTOH, some people like it to have some
minerals and not soft, just reduced.

If you keep this or change to another brand, yo will want to do some testing
to check it periodicaly, so the kit will not be wasted.

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
.. .

"GotBonus?" wrote in message

Culligan asked us to use the "tester" they left us which consists of a
vial and some soapy liquid to shake up with the water and it does
"lather" better than when they came in.

Shouldn't we be "feeling" the softness? This just doesn't seem to be
there/seem right.

It may need some adjusting if it is not soft. There are other types of
kits that will tell you if it is soft. Othes will tell you just how hard
it is. One has a blue liquid you drop into the water and if it is soft, it
says blue, if hard, it turns pink. OTOH, some people like it to have some
minerals and not soft, just reduced.

If you keep this or change to another brand, yo will want to do some
testing to check it periodicaly, so the kit will not be wasted.

I have very hard water and a softener that is functioning properly. I
don't *feel* the softness but glassware comes out of the dishwasher without
water spots which isn't the case if I let the softener run out of salt.

I do test the hardness at infrequent intervals using a chemical test kit
with a blue dye indicator as previously suggested. These are somewhat more
informative than the old soap-test routine. Culligan should be able to
supply one. They are also available at aquarium supply stores. You would
want the one that tests for *total hardness*. Usually about $5.00. Not
difficult to use.

SJF

GotBonus? wrote:
I have had a Culligan MGA94 (30K grain)water "conditioner" for appox 3
months. I went with the culligan because I was able to get them to
install the loop (difficult re-route for outside set-up) and a 3month
no obligation trial for a very minimal price.
When they came in they tested the hardness and it came out to be
about 15-17 Grains. We are 2 adults in a 2 bath home(we only use one
really) in Gilbert AZ.

The 3 month trail is about up and they monthly fee will go to 30+ a
month. I am looking to replace it (buy) but wonder...

The water really does not feel that "soft", I.I the slick feeling
normally associated with soft water isn't there. SOMETIMES you can
feel it a bit, but for the most part nothing feels different that
before. I have called culligan and they have assured me that the
water is either "soft" or its not, needless to say this did not seem
right.
Culligan asked us to use the "tester" they left us which consists of
a vial and some soapy liquid to shake up with the water and it does
"lather" better than when they came in.

Shouldn't we be "feeling" the softness? This just doesn't seem to be
there/seem right.

All that said, what are your thoughts on the all in one units
available a sears(Kenmore) any other suggestions( this we be outside
in the AZ heat.
Thanks for your input

Well I would say that the feeling you are looking for is the result of
over softened water.

Why did you get the softener in the first place? Has that problem been
resolved? If you can not identify a specific problem before you installed
the softener, then I suggest you don't need one. You don't put a softener
in to make water feel slick.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

GotBonus? wrote:
The water really does not feel that "soft", I.I the slick feeling
normally associated with soft water isn't there.

The slick feeling (I think of it as slimy) is from the sodium carbonate
in the water that the softening system substituted for the original
calcium carbonate. You really shouldn't feel it all the time, only time
I do is just after regeneration.

--
dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

any pool store (you should have tons of them in Arizona) will sell you a
test strip to find out exactly how hard the water is. I am really surprised
Culligan didnt do a before and after test for you. LAst time I bought some
it was about $10 for a bottle of them.

IF your cheap, go to a hardware store and look for aome literature on Morton
system saver salt. There usually is a free test strip tucked away in it.
Menards has them in my area

"GotBonus?" wrote in message
news:AFDyf.43243$QW2.15423@dukeread08...
I have had a Culligan MGA94 (30K grain)water "conditioner" for appox 3
months. I went with the culligan because I was able to get them to install
the loop (difficult re-route for outside set-up) and a 3month no obligation
trial for a very minimal price.
When they came in they tested the hardness and it came out to be about
15-17 Grains. We are 2 adults in a 2 bath home(we only use one really) in
Gilbert AZ.

The 3 month trail is about up and they monthly fee will go to 30+ a month.
I am looking to replace it (buy) but wonder...

The water really does not feel that "soft", I.I the slick feeling normally
associated with soft water isn't there. SOMETIMES you can feel it a bit,
but for the most part nothing feels different that before. I have called
culligan and they have assured me that the water is either "soft" or its
not, needless to say this did not seem right.

Culligan asked us to use the "tester" they left us which consists of a
vial and some soapy liquid to shake up with the water and it does "lather"
better than when they came in.

Shouldn't we be "feeling" the softness? This just doesn't seem to be
there/seem right.

All that said, what are your thoughts on the all in one units available a
sears(Kenmore) any other suggestions( this we be outside in the AZ heat.

Thanks for your input

Got,

As others have pointed out it is easy to get your water tested for
hardness. If you don't want to buy the kit take a glass jar of cold tap
water to Sears, stand near the water softeners, look prosperous. A salesman
will show up quickly to test your water.
It's possible that your hot water tank is a reservoir of hardness. After
3 months I would be surprised though but drain and refill it.
I own a Sears unit. It works ok but the rotary valve needs to be cleaned
annually and the price of Sears parts is scandalous.

Dave M.