- Water softener resin comparison
- Best water softener resin 2021
- Softener resin types
- Water softener resin 8 vs 10
- Water softener resin reviews
- Standard ion exchange resin 8 % cross link
- 10 cross linked Water softener resin
- Fine Mesh Resin
- Portable water softener resin
- Typical tank sizes and resin used
- Water softener resin how it works?
- Water softener resin in faucet/ toilet tank/drain
- Water softener resin life
- What is Water softener resin made of?
- Water softener resin disposal
- Are water softener resin poisonous / toxic /hazardous /harmful/dangerous?
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The water softener requires resin to suck hard minerals present in your hard water.
Most of these resins last for about 10-20 years when feed with tap water and when it reaches its life expectancy it no longer provides, soft water.
Most resin manufacturers recommend a lifetime to be 10 years, but this can be lower depending on the condition of your water.
Therefore resin beads do not last forever they need to be replaced when it reaches its life expectancy or no longer hold hardness ion in your water.
Water softener resin comparison
| 1 | Name | Image | Cross link | Type | Capacity | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | ABC water softener Premium Resin Replacement Kit |   | 8% | standard ion exchange resin/cation | 1 Cu. Ft. bag | Amazon |
| 3 | Tier1 IER-100 |   | standard ion exchange resin/cation | 25-liter bag | Amazon | |
| 4 | LiquaGen |   | 10% | standard ion exchange resin/cation | 1.5 Cu. Ft. bag | Amazon |
| 5 | Resintech |   | standard ion exchange resin/cation | 5LB/pounds | Amazon | |
| 6 | Hydrotec systems |   | 8% | standard ion exchange resin/cation | 1 Cu. Ft. bag | Amazon |
| 7 | AFW filters |   | standard ion exchange resin/cation | 1 Cu. Ft | Amazon | |
| 8 | Aquatrol Water Softener Resin |   | 8% | standard ion exchange resin/cation | 1 CuFt | Amazon |
| 9 | Purolite C-100-E Cation Exchange Resin |   | Fine mesh resin | 1.5 cubic feet | Amazon | |
| 10 | Nelsen Fine Mesh |   | 8% | Fine mesh resin | 0.5 Cu. Ft. | Amazon |
| 11 | Mobile-Soft-Water' Water Softener Resin |   | portable water softener | 0.5 Cu. Ft. | Amazon | |
| 12 | Ifilters Water Softener Resin Media Replacement |   | portable water softener | 0.25 cu ft | Amazon |
What is a water softener resin?
It is a media inside the ion exchange water softener minerals tank that used to remove hardness in your water.
The resin has a negative charge that attracts a positive charge in your hard water making your water soft.
So if you are using a salt-based system, the resin is one of the critical products you need for your system to work effectively or produce soft water.
The size of these resins ranges from 0.3-1.2mm.
Best water softener resin 2021
- Best for iron: Nelsen Fine Mesh High-Capacity
- Best for iron: ABC water Water Softener Premium Resin Replacement
- 1.5 cu ft: ABC water Water Softener Premium
- 1.5 cu ft: Liquagen
- 8 % crosslink: ABC water SOFRES1 – 1cu ft
- 8 % crosslink: Hydrotec systems
- 8 % crosslink: Aquatrol
- 10 % crosslink: ABC water Water Softener Premium
- 10 % crosslink: Liquagen
- 0.88 cu ft: Tier1 IER-100
- Resintech MBD-30 Nuclear-Grade Mixed Bed DI
- 1 cu ft: AFW filters Birm Filter Media
- Purolite C-100-E Cation Exchange Resin
- For portable water softener: Mobile-soft-water’ 0.2 Cuft Water Softener Resin
- For portable water softener: ifilters Water Softener Resin
Softener resin types
Which water softener resin is best for you?
Most people become confused when it comes to choosing the right resin for your unit.
There are two different types of water softener resin available in the market.
- Fine mesh resin
This type has small sized beads which are used to soften water and remove iron up to 10P.P.M.
Since the fine mesh resins are small-sized, you need an upper flow basket so that the beads will not come out during regeneration.
- The standard ion exchange resin
Most water softeners use Standard ion exchange resin which is excellent to soften water and remove iron between 3-5P.P.M.
It regenerates using either Sodium Chloride/salt or Potassium Chloride.
Standard resin comes into two sizes: 8% Crosslink and 10% Crosslink.
The cross-link is a connection between the inside resin bond.
For easier understanding cross-link is like twisting a string.
Water softener resin 8 vs 10
10% has more connection that holds resin together making it last longer than 8%.
10% Crosslink is suitable for chlorinated water without iron so best for municipal water. We recommend that households choose the 10% cross-linked resin if they get it from the city or municipalities which contain chlorine.
The 10% Crosslink is more costly compared to 8% crosslink resin.
8% Crosslink is commonly used in most places. It is best for non-chlorinated and without iron so best for well water
Water softener resin reviews
Standard ion exchange resin 8 % cross link
Summary
- Cross link-8%
- Type – standard ion exchange resin/cation
- Capacity -1 Cu. Ft. bag
Afwfilters SOFRES1 is a high standard resin used in all standard water softeners. It comes in a 1 Cu. Ft. bag which is suitable for a standard 9″ tank.
It is easy to replace and has a shelf life of 12-15 years.
It is a high-capacity, bead-form, and conventional gel polystyrene sulfonate cation exchange resin ready to use in industrial or household system.
The resin is capable of removing hardness ions (calcium and magnesium), dissolved iron, manganese, and also suspended matter.
It is approved by USDA, NSF, FDA, and High quality 8% cross-link resin
Summary
- Cross link-8%
- Type – standard ion exchange resin/cation
- Capacity -2 Cu. Ft. bag
It is packaged in 2 cubic feet for 64,000-grain capacity water softener suggested for tank size minimum 12″ x 52″ and is 8% Cross-Linked Resin.
ABC water Water Softener Premium Resin Replacement Kit
Buy here
8% Cross-Linked Resin medial for all water softeners 48,000 Grain Capacity
Summary
- Cross link-8%
- Type – standard ion exchange resin/cation
- Capacity -1 Cu. Ft. bag
The hydrotec systems resin is cation-ion exchange media in sodium form.
This product is 8% Crosslinked and packaged in One (1) Cubic Foot which is equivalent to 50lbs/22.68kgs.
- Mobile-Soft-Water’ Water Softener Resin 0.5 Cuft (Spare Part) for the 16,000 Grain Unit.
Mobile soft water resin is 8% Cross Link 0.5 cu for the 16,000 grain unit.
Mobile-soft-water’ 0.2 Cuft Water Softener Resin
Mobile soft water resin is 8% Cross Link 0.2 cu for the 64,000 grain unit.
Summary
- Cross link-8%
- Type – standard ion exchange resin/cation
- Capacity -1 Cu. Ft. bag
Aquatrol Resin is an 8% crosslinked ion exchange which is sold in 1 CuFt Bag.
It works in any residential 32,000-grain system.
Purolite is strong acid gel-type cation exchange resin and sold in 50 pounds.
It is designed for the treatment of foodstuffs, beverages, potable waters, and water used in the processing of food.
The resin is in compliance with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration Code of Federal Regulations section 21, paragraph 173.25; for the use in the treatment of foods for human consumption.
- Resin High Capacity Replacement Water Softener Resin – 8% Crosslink 1/2 cubic foot
- 8% Polystyrene cross-linked with Divinylbenzene
- 1/2 cubic foot
10 cross linked Water softener resin
Oceanic water systems are 10% Cross Linked Strong Acid Cation Water Softening Resin.
10% cross-linked resin is used for chlorinated water. It can also be used for well water sources
The American water solution is 10% strong acid resin.
10% is designed to be used in high chlorine areas.
This type is coated with an extra layer that helps it to withstand the breakdown process that happens when it comes in contact with Chlorine and Chloramines.
Summary
- Cross link-10%
- Type – standard ion exchange resin/cation
- Capacity -1.5 Cu. Ft. bag
This is replacement kit for a 48,000 grain capacity water softener.
The kit include 1.5 cubic feet of high capacity 10% resin media, distributor basket, a funnel for loading resin, and a reusable blue bag.
10% cross-linked resin is used for water that is chlorinated and without iron
Summary
- Cross link-10%
- Type – standard ion exchange resin/cation
- Capacity -1/2 Cu. Ft. bag
LiquaGen ion exchange resin cation is not only used for softening hard water but also used for the treatment of food, beverages, water used for processing food and potable water.
This resin is 1/2 cubic feet, 10% cross-linked and comes with resin loading funnel.
Summary
- Cross link-N/A
- Type – standard ion exchange resin/cation
- Capacity -5LB/pounds
The five-pound bag is a mixture of both cation and anion resins.
It is a self-indicating mixed bed resin where anion resin is a Type I strongly basic gel with an indicator dye that changes from blue to colorless as the resin exhausts while cation component is a strong acid sulfonated polystyrene gel type that changes from a green color to a violet color when used up.
Resintech is intended to use in see-through housing and resin tank without a meter you only rely on changing of color when the resin is exhausted.
Summary
- Cross link-N/A
- Type – standard ion exchange resin/cation
- Capacity – 25-liter bag/0.88 cu ft
Tier1 IER-100 is suitable for both residential and commercial system.
It is a premium high-capacity gel polystyrene strong acid cation exchange resin suitable for most water softeners and is sold in a 25-liter bag.
This resin lasts for 10-15 years.
Summary
- Cross link-N/A
- Type – standard ion exchange resin/cation
- Capacity -1 Cu. Ft. bag
AFW filter birm filter media is 1 Cu. Ft. bag is suitable for removing manganese up to 6ppm and iron up to 8ppm.
- Ge WS01X10002 Water Softener Resin Genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Part
Fine Mesh Resin
Fine mesh is the best water softener resin for iron removal making it ideal for well water.
This type is a high-quality Fine Mesh Iron Treating Resin used in all water softener types.
In the package includes 1.5 cubic feet of high capacity Fine Mesh resin media, distributor basket, a funnel for loading resin, and a reusable blue bag exclusive to ABCwaters branded products. 1.5 cubic feet is suitable for a tank minimum size 10″ x 54″ and provides 48000-grain capacity.
Nelsen is fine mesh water softener sold in .5 Cu. Ft. suitable for treating water with iron and extremely hard water
This is 8% cross-linked and works effectively on both commercial and residential water softener system.
Portable water softener resin
- Ifilters Water Softener Resin Media Replacement 100% Ion Exchange Cation – 0.25 CuFt
Buy here
Ifilters is 0.25 cu ft resin for the 8,000 grain unit.
It is suitable for portable water softener
On the go Water softener resin replacement
Buy here
The refill kit include high capacity premium grade exchange cation resin and all tools to refill your tank such as funnel, silicone lubricant, distributor cap, and instructions.
The resin is for 8,000 grain on the go portable standard water softener.
Portable Double Standard Water Softener Refill Kit
Buy here
The refill kit include high capacity premium grade exchange cation resin and all tools to refill your tank such as funnel, silicone lubricant, distributor cap, and instructions.
The resin is for 16,000 grain on the go portable double standard water softener.
Water softener resin 1.5 cu ft
Best Water softener resin for iron
How long does the water softener resin last
Most manufacturer recommends resin to last 10 years, but the condition of your water determines this.
Water supplied by municipal has high content of chlorine that can reduce lifespan of the resin
Well water has high content of iron and that can affect the resin life span
When do you know it is time to change the water softer resin?
- Once the resin has reached its life expectancy. Most manufacturers indicate the life expectancy on the product label. Check product label before buying to be sure how long will your resin lasts
- When the resin reaches its life expectancy, the fines will start coming out and come into the house clogging faucet.
- When you notice a resin tank has some sediment particles. You need to replace the resin and install a sediment filter before the water softener. There are salt-based water softener that comes with sediment filter like (sample and link)
- When the resin tank has sat for time unused, and you sense a strong odor. You can clean resin using cleaner but if it does not solve the problem dump resin and replace it with new ones.
- If your resin is coated with iron, you can remove it by cleaning with a strong resin cleaner but if the problem persists replace it with a new one.
- If the water pressure starts to be lower than it is used to be.
- When your water softener starts producing hard water. It does not give soft water like before.
- In case you clean your brine and resin tank, change the salt, and regenerate the system, the water coming through remains hard. This means its time to change resin
How much resin do you need for replacement?
If you want to know how much resin you need for your water softener make sure you are sure the size of your resin tank.
Your tank diameter matters. Some tank has a sticker somewhere that tells you the size while other you have to take the measurement yourself.
The sticker measurement is written as 1035. Meaning the first two digits (10) is tank circumference/width, and the last two is tank height (35).
If your tank doesn’t have a sticker, you can measure the tank.
How do you take the size of your tank?
Measure the height of the fiberglass tank that contains resin.
Sometimes the tank has a decorative plastic jacket placed over the fiberglass/polyglass tank.
Make sure don’t measure that plastic jacket it is meant for protecting your tank, so it is not the real resin tank
Then measure the diameter/width of the tank.
Measure the width or use the string to measure around the tank divide by pi 3.14.
For instance, if your width or circumference is 30 divide by 3.14 so the width inch is 9.5.
Then round down to the whole number, so that is 9 inches.
Typical tank sizes and resin used
9″ x 48″ – 1.0 cu ft.
10″ x 54″ – 1.5 cu ft.
12″ x 48″ – 2.0 cu ft.
13″ x 54″ – 2.5 cu ft.
14″ x 65″ – 3.0 cu ft.
You can use APS water calculator to give you the exact amount of resin you need for your softener.
Never fill the media to the top because different media behaves differently some require space for expansion when backwashing
How to replace Water softener resin
- Turn off the system and disconnect from the power source
- Disconnect valve head to the bypass valve
- Disconnect valve head from the tank
- Find someone to help hold the tank
- Pout out resin beads and gravel
Read detailed instruction here
How to change Water softener resin
Bonus video about water softener resin
How can I tell if I have Standard ion exchange resin or fine mesh resin?
It is hard to tell which resin type you have by looking using naked eyes.
So how do you the difference?
Take a pinch of resin and place on the palm of your hand.
Squeeze using your index figure so if it clumps that is fine mesh resin and if it forms like a ball that is the Standard ion exchange resin.
The resin beads is an important media in every water softener.
Without resin, you cannot get your hard water treated unless you use a conditioner that only descales but does not remove hardness in water.
Water softener resin how it works?
Resin is a media found in the water softener tank to remove hard minerals in the water. They are negatively charged and hard water is positively charged. So when hard water comes to contact with resin, the resin attracts minerals in hard water leaving you with softened water
Water softener resin in faucet/ toilet tank/drain
When the resin reaches its life expectancy, the fines will start coming out and come into the house faucet, drain, or toilet tank
Water softener resin life
How long does Water softener resin last? This is the question most people ask. Water softener resin is meant to last between 15-20 years
What is Water softener resin made of?
The resin is made of string/thread/strand of Polystyrene which is wrapped in crisscross foam along with Divinylbenzene (DVB). Divinylbenzene (DVB) acts as glue to hold resin together. The crisscross or connection of polystyrene in water softener resin is called cross-link
Water softener resin disposal
Since resin is not poisonous/toxic/hazardous /harmful/dangerous you can spread it on the flower bed or lawn. If you don’t have a flower bed or lawn you can put it in a container for disposal.
Are water softener resin poisonous / toxic /hazardous /harmful/dangerous?
The resin is not poisonous/ toxic/hazardous/harmful/ dangerous and can be spread on the flower bed or lawn.
Hoping our guide and review of the best Water softener resin will help choose the right product.
More articles on resin
- Water softener resin types
- Water softener resin replacement
- Best water softener resin cleaner
- How to clean water softener resin tank
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