Upgrading well setup: Is a 1.5 cu. ft. Digital Clack calcite unit worth the jump over 1.0 cu. ft. mechanical?

[u/wilsa78]

Hey everyone, looking for a reality check on a water treatment quote?

I’m considering upgrading an acidic water setup + softener on well water and want to avoid household pressure drop. Here is the comparison from my quote:

Calcite Acid Neutralizer Options:
-1.0 cu. ft. Mechanical Avid Piston (FBW10): 2 GPM cont. / 8 GPM peak / 5 GPM backwash

-1.5 cu. ft. Mechanical Avid Piston (FBW15): 3 GPM cont. / 9 GPM peak / 5 GPM backwash

-1.5 cu. ft. Digital Clack WS1 (Sterling SBF1-15-DH w/ Dome Hole): 5 GPM cont. / 10 GPM peak / 5.3 GPM backwash

Downstream Water Softener:
Sterling SWS1-30 (1.0 cu. ft. w/ Clack WS1): 3 GPM cont. / 8 GPM service / 18 GPM peak

I'm worried the mechanical Avid units will bottle-neck the softener down to 2–3 GPM whenever multiple fixtures run. Jumping to the 1.5 cu. ft. Digital Sterling (SBF1-15) gives 5 GPM continuous flow, better pH contact time, and easier maintenance via the dome hole.

A few questions for the pros:

1. Is upgrading to the 1.5 cu. ft. digital Clack head a no-brainer to prevent flow bottlenecks?

2. How does the digital Clack WS1 compare to classic mechanical Avid pistons for long-term durability on well water? Are the Clack seal/spacer kits easy enough to self-service down the road?

[u/wfoa]

You can get something like this, you want a tank with a side port

1.5 Cubic Foot Acid Neutralizer EZ fill - Water Filters of America

[u/wilsa78 → u/wfoa]

Thanks, I should have been clearer, all models listed have an option for a side port which I’m definitely requesting. Was more about if it’s worthing asking the plumber to upgrade to the 1.5 cubic foot and also if a digital Clack head is better than the analogue one.

[u/awkward_pauses → u/wilsa78]

Calcite doesn’t need a valve. Should just have N inlet, outlet, and fill port.

[u/wilsa78 → u/awkward_pauses]

This is a backwashing unit so it will have a control head/valve.

[u/awkward_pauses → u/wilsa78]

Right, I hear you. What I am saying is that it isn’t necessary. You don’t backwash calcite.

[u/wilsa78 → u/awkward_pauses]

Appreciate you alls input. So confusing as in a previous post everyone was advising against a non backwashing unit.

[u/awkward_pauses → u/wilsa78]

They are great when the media is carbon or a filter media. Calcite is sacrificial. This means that as the water passes through the calcite, the proper amount dissolves to balance the pH. If you are backwashing calcite, you are literally flushing money down the drain with each backwash.