Whole House Water Softener & Filter System

Hard water leaves scale on faucets, film on glasses and soap that will not lather. This system softens and filters the water for your whole home: a sediment pre-filter, a salt-based water softener and a carbon block post-filter, working as one.

At a glance

Two sizes: 1.5 cu ft, rated 48,000 grains, or 2.0 cu ft, rated 60,000 grains.
Two tanks: fiberglass or stainless steel. Both soften the same way.
Control head: Vtrol (a Fleck 5600). Timer regeneration standard; metered valve available at checkout.
Flow: 9 to 11 GPM (1.5 cu ft) or 10 to 13 GPM (2.0 cu ft), with 1 in connections.
Made in the USA since 1994.

How it works

Sediment pre-filter. A pleated cellulose cartridge catches sand, rust and grit, so the resin and the valve stay clean.
Water softener. Softening resin exchanges calcium and magnesium for sodium. The Vtrol control head cleans and recharges the resin with brine from the brine tank on its own.
Carbon block post-filter. Reduces chlorine, taste and odor on the way to your taps.

What soft water changes

Less scale to clean. Fewer hardness minerals means less buildup on faucets, showerheads and glass.
Better lather, less soap scum. With fewer minerals reacting with soap, there is less scum left behind.
A softer feel on your skin.
Less scale in your water heater, fixtures and appliances.

Which size do I need?

Both sizes soften the same way. The 2.0 cu ft tank holds more capacity, so it goes more days between regenerations and delivers more flow. Bigger households, harder water and homes with several showers running at once lean toward 2.0 cu ft.

To size it yourself, multiply the gallons your home uses each day (about 60, plus 30 per person) by your hardness in grains per gallon. That is the grains you use each day. Or let our water softener size calculator do the math. Not sure of your hardness? Check the water hardness map or test your water. One grain per gallon is about 17.1 ppm.

Fiberglass or stainless steel?

Fiberglass: our pick for humid rooms, garages and anywhere salt or condensation can sit on the tank.
Stainless steel: a steel finish for finished spaces. Stainless can pinhole or rust when humidity, salt or standing condensation stays on it, so wipe it down regularly. If the system will sit in those conditions or you cannot keep it wiped down, choose fiberglass.

Regeneration, your way

Timer valve (standard): regenerates on the schedule you set, overnight at 2:00 AM by default.
Metered valve (upgrade at checkout): regenerates only after you have used the capacity, which saves salt and water in homes with uneven use.
During a regeneration untreated water reaches the taps, which is why it runs overnight.
The valve holds its settings for at least 8 hours without power.

Care and maintenance

Task	How often
Keep softener salt above the water line in the brine tank	Check monthly
Replace the sediment and carbon cartridges	Typically 12 to 24 months, about 18 months for most homes; sooner if flow, taste or odor changes
Clean the brine tank	Once a year
Rinse the injector and screen	Once a year
Refill the softening resin	About every 10 to 15 years

Use clean softener pellets (sodium chloride) or potassium chloride. Never rock salt, block salt or ice melt.

Good to know before you buy

Well water: works on wells. Test for iron, manganese, sulfur and pH first; iron above about 2 mg/L or acidic water needs its own stage ahead of the softener. See our well water systems.
City water: works on city water. Chlorine reaches the resin before the carbon post-filter, so resin on chlorinated water can wear sooner.
Sodium: softening adds a small amount of sodium. On a low-sodium diet, use potassium chloride or drink from a reverse osmosis tap.
What it does not treat: a softener does not remove lead, PFAS, arsenic, fluoride, nitrate, bacteria or viruses. Pair it with the right filter for those.
Prefer no salt? For city water and lighter hardness, see our salt-free water conditioner. It reduces scale but does not soften.

Why Crystal Quest

Built in the USA since 1994 under ISO 9001 quality management, with over 1,000,000 people served.
One system, three stages. No separate filter housings to source or plumb.
Lifetime support by phone, email or chat: (800) 934-0051, help@crystalquest.com, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm ET.
Covered by our Guaranteed Performance program and a one-year limited warranty.

Common questions

Which size do I need, 48,000 or 60,000 grains?

Multiply the gallons your home uses each day (about 60, plus 30 per person) by your hardness in grains per gallon. The 2.0 cu ft tank (60,000 grains) goes more days between regenerations and gives more flow. Our size calculator does the math.

Why does it include a sediment pre-filter and a carbon post-filter?

The sediment cartridge keeps sand and grit out of the resin and the valve. The carbon block reduces chlorine, taste and odor after softening.

Does a water softener remove chlorine?

Softening resin does not. In this system the carbon block post-filter is the stage that reduces chlorine, taste and odor.

Fiberglass or stainless steel: which should I choose?

They soften the same. Choose fiberglass for humid rooms, garages or anywhere salt and condensation can sit on the tank. Choose stainless for the look, and wipe it down regularly.

Will it work on well water?

Yes for hardness. Test the well first: iron above about 2 mg/L, low pH or sulfur need their own treatment ahead of the softener.

What control head does it use?

A Vtrol control head, which is a Fleck 5600. The standard valve regenerates on a timer; a metered valve that regenerates on use is available at checkout. Learn more about softener control valves.

How often does it regenerate?

The timer valve regenerates on the schedule you set, overnight at 2:00 AM by default. The right interval depends on your hardness and water use; see water softener settings.

Can I install it myself?

It connects to your main water line and needs a drain and an always-on outlet. Installation by a licensed plumber keeps your warranty valid. See the Installation tab and our installation guide.

How long does it last?

The softening resin typically lasts 10 to 15 years. The sediment and carbon cartridges are changed every 12 to 24 months, about 18 months for most homes.

Is softened water safe to drink?

Softening adds a small amount of sodium. On a low-sodium diet, use potassium chloride in the brine tank or drink from a reverse osmosis tap. More in is softened water safe to drink.

Type: Salt-based ion exchange water softener with a sediment pre-filter and a carbon block post-filter
Rated grain capacity: 1.5 cu ft: 48,000 grains; 2.0 cu ft: 60,000 grains
Service flow: 1.5 cu ft: 9 to 11 GPM; 2.0 cu ft: 10 to 13 GPM
Connections: 1 in
Control head: Vtrol 5600 (a Fleck 5600); timer regeneration standard, metered optional
Factory regeneration time: 2:00 AM
Media tank: 1.5 cu ft: 10 x 54 in; 2.0 cu ft: 12 x 52 in
Floor space, media tank only: 1.5 cu ft: 12 x 64 in; 2.0 cu ft: 14 x 62 in
Floor space, both tanks: 1.5 cu ft: 30 x 20 x 64 in; 2.0 cu ft: 30 x 20 x 62 in
Brine tank: 18 x 33 in, 130 L / 36 gal
Operating pressure: 35 to 60 psi; add a pressure regulator above 60 psi
Water temperature: 35 to 100 F, cold water line only
Room temperature: 35 to 120 F, indoors, never freezing
Drain line: 1/2 in I.D. minimum; 3/4 in I.D. if the run is longer than 20 ft
Brine line: 3/8 in tubing
Electrical: Plug-in transformer, 24 V; needs an always-on 110/120 V outlet
Power outage: Holds its settings for at least 8 hours
Pre-filter: Pleated cellulose sediment cartridge, 2-7/8 x 20 in (CQE-RC-04015)
Post-filter: Carbon block cartridge, 2-7/8 x 20 in (CQE-RC-04014)
Cartridge replacement: Typically 12 to 24 months, about 18 months for most homes
Resin life: About 10 to 15 years
Replacement resin: 1.5 cu ft: CQE-RM-05004; 2.0 cu ft: CQE-RM-05005
Salt: Softener pellets (sodium chloride) or potassium chloride
Tank choice: Fiberglass or stainless steel; choose fiberglass where humidity, salt or condensation can stay on the tank

Replacement parts

Pleated Cellulose Sediment Cartridge
2-7/8” x 20” / SingleSKU CQE-RC-04015 Replace every 12 to 24 months
$31.50
Coconut Based 5-Micron Carbon Block Filter Cartridge
2-7/8” x 20” / SingleSKU CQE-RC-04014 Replace every 12 to 24 months
$31.50

Parts included

Softener tank with softening resin and quartz underbed (1.5 or 2.0 cu ft)
Vtrol control head (a Fleck 5600), timer regeneration
Brine tank, 18 x 33 in, 130 L / 36 gal
Two cartridge housings
Pleated cellulose sediment pre-filter, 2-7/8 x 20 in (CQE-RC-04015)
Carbon block post-filter, 2-7/8 x 20 in (CQE-RC-04014)
Plug-in transformer for the control head
Drain tubing with clamp and brine tubing
Replacement resin: 1.5 cu ft CQE-RM-05004; 2.0 cu ft CQE-RM-05005

Replacement Cartridges

Product Name	SKU	Replace every
Pleated Cellulose Sediment Cartridge (2-7/8” x 20” / Single) Replace every 12 to 24 months	CQE-RC-04015	12 to 24 months
Coconut Based 5-Micron Carbon Block Filter Cartridge (2-7/8” x 20” / Single) Replace every 12 to 24 months	CQE-RC-04014	12 to 24 months

Estimates, not guarantees. Actual life depends on your water conditions and how much you use. Replace sooner if taste or odor changes.

Pick an indoor spot above freezing (35 to 120 F), on a level floor near the main cold water line, a drain and an always-on outlet.
Leave floor space for both tanks: about 30 x 20 in, 64 in tall for 1.5 cu ft or 62 in for 2.0 cu ft.
Have a licensed plumber connect the system to the main line; this keeps your warranty valid. Outdoor taps are often left on unsoftened water.
Check that water pressure is 35 to 60 psi and add a pressure regulator above 60 psi. A vacuum breaker on the inlet is optional but recommended.
Run the drain line (1/2 in I.D. minimum, 3/4 in past 20 ft) to a floor drain or standpipe with an air gap of at least twice the drain line diameter, never less than 1 in.
Connect the brine tank to the control head with the 3/8 in brine tubing.
Plug the control head's transformer into an always-on 110/120 V outlet, not one on a switch.
Fill the brine tank with softener salt, then program the valve and run the first regeneration as your owner's manual describes.

Whole House Water Softener with Sediment and Carbon Filters

Fiberglass or stainless steel?

Which softener size do I need?