Limescale/Water Softening - can it be done without salt?

NIMAN

My MIL got a salt based system installed recently and is very happy with it. It wasn't just for limescale, but also a few metals and I think it cost close to the €800 - €1000.

I suffer from bad limescale and was wondering if there is any alternative to the salt based systems?

I spotted these online
http://www.uk-water-filters.co.uk/whole_house_filters.html

and the prices seem reasonable
http://www.uk-water-filters.co.uk/water_filters_buy_WW.html


Anyone know if these will really work as I thought salt was the only option for effective water softening?

Trademark

Reading the blurb it seems like you'd be paying a lot for a placebo.
I've seen similar setups which talk of "realigning ions" and such to prevent accumulation of ions/scale inside pipes etc, usually comprised of what appears to be an insulated electric coil surrounding the mains inlet pipe.

The how it works part seems to be complete pseudoscience too, a quick bit of googling finds a good guide for all the buzzwords!
http://www.chem1.com/CQ/gallery.html

Afaik if a salt based system is used and set up correctly then there should be no salt taste in the water, otherwise a smaller system can be used for tapwater/drinking water.

I was looking at getting a softener before moving house a while back, water2buy.ie seemed like a decent enough bunch and their website seems helpful for most queries.

Best of luck whatever you choose to do.

heinbloed

Here these systems work:

http://www.aqon-gmbh.com/produkte/AQON-HTS-WP-for-drinking-water-and-processing-water

Not to be mixed up with magnets etc.!

NIMAN

It wasn't a salt taste I was worried about.

I was just wondering if a salt-free option like the link I provided was a reality or a myth, like those little Cu coils you wrap around your inlet pipe for €50.

Joey the lips

The only one i heard of without salt electrosis and boiling and both tend to be either expensive(electroylis or temp (boiling)

paddy147

Bought this 5 stage pumped RO system from water2buy recently.
It was bought for both the 500 litre Discuss tank and also our 300 litre marine tank.

We make our own salt water for the marine tank now,thanks to this system and a large drum of sea salt.

Good bit of kit at only 210 euro all in.:)

sky6

There are a few Systems out there which don't use Salt as a softner.
Thy use a Resin in the cylinder which back washes the limescale and impurities out during the night.
The Resin is replaceable every 2 years approx at a modest cost less than $100
Raindance is one Company which comes to mind.

Be sure to have your Water Tested and know whats in your Water before you go buying anything. Limescale is only part of the problem.

DGOBS

and make sure to use a lab, not the kit supplier!