KCL vs NaCL for water softeners

Howdy RIU.

We use a water softener because our well water coats everything remotely connected to our plumbing with a layer of brown. It's what untreated well water likes to do.

And we currently use NaCL for our water softener because a bag of that Sifto white chunky salt is pretty cheap. But with Ca, Mg and Fe swapped with Na, I don't water the ladies with the softened tap water. Sodium over the long term is not kind to cannabis.

I have used the large jugs and water dispenser but thanks to way too many birthdays, dragging and lifting 20L jugs of distilled or spring water is not as easy as it once was. My right shoulder and knee made me aware of that a few weeks ago. To help keep all my appendages pain free, I would like to use the taps again. That means either use the softener bypass valve or switch the medium used for ion exchange in the softener.

I know potassium chloride is about 4 times the price of sodium chloride - but I am willing to pay that as a respite from hauling the jugs. Has anyone made the switch from NaCL to KCL for their water softener? Is there anything to be wary of if I decide do go that route?

I have well water to which I need to soften but is actually good for plants. I have a nice bypass between my the well pump and the softener that I can hook a hose on, then run out the basement door. I honestly think bypassing totally is the best route because why soften anything that is going outside or to plants. If you ambitious you can easily create a “clean” waterline using pex and shark bites and install a outdoor spigot or even an indoor one on the same floor (if you have access) so at least it’s all on the same floor. Just make sure if it’s inside to insulate it so it doesn’t sweat too much in the summer.

Sorry I have no clue on the potassium.

KCL will make the water taste different.

Coalcat said:

... I honestly think bypassing totally is the best route ...

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The levels of Ca,Mg and Fe in our well water is identical to the local spring that I get my water from now. The spring is only about 20 minutes away so our well and the spring probably come from the same aquifer.

There is a bypass valve installed already. I'll see how well (sorry!) that faucet works for me.

Shape Shifter said:

... KCL will make the water taste different ...

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Not sure I want to drop $40 per bag of KCL and change that. We are kind of used to the taste of the water now. And I don't think we are consuming enough Na in the drinking water to hurt us.

It will taste more metallic. You can get some at the grocery store as a table salt substitute. Only $3.

Shape Shifter said:

... It will taste more metallic. You can get some at the grocery store as a table salt substitute. Only $3 ...

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I was going to use the potassium chloride pellets to dump into the salt storage bin for the weekly softener recharge. Considering the storage bin can hold 7 of the 20 lb bags, I would need lots of those salt substitutes.

But we don't want that metallic taste in the water so I think the KCL is a no-go. Looking like the bypass faucet is good. Gotta reef it just a bit to stop that dripping after you turn it off - but that's nothing that a new washer won't fix.

I meant you can use KCL on your food instead of salt as a test.

Shape Shifter said:

... I meant you can use KCL on your food instead of salt as a test ...

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D'OH! ( Searches frantically for an appropriate face palm graphic ... )

StareCase said:

... Looking like the bypass faucet is good. Gotta reef it just a bit to stop that dripping after you turn it off - but that's nothing that a new washer won't fix ...

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One 8' washing machine feed hose tightly connected to the softener bypass. The 1 imp. gallon watering tank is filled in seconds and there are no leaks when the bypass tap is shut off.

No more fucking around with those 20L jugs. Yahoo!! I can hear my back and knees thanking me already.

Appreciate your input folks.