The Complete Guide For Buying The Best 48000 Grain Water Softener
Contents
- 1 The Complete Guide For Buying The Best 48000 Grain Water Softener
- 1.1 What does grains mean in a water softener?
- 1.2 How do you know what grain water softener to get?
- 1.3 Which is the best 48000 grain water softener?
- 1.4 Why Should You Trust Us?
- 1.5 List Of 7 Best 48000 Grain Water Softeners [Buy The Right One]
- 1.6 48,000 vs 64,000-grain water softener
- 1.7 Learn from professionals how to calculate water softener grains
- 1.8 What do you need to know to calculate softener capacity?
- 1.9 How much salt should my 48000-grain water softener use?
- 1.10 Verdict
- 1.11 Frequently Asked Questions:
- 1.12 Conclusion
- 1.13 About The Author
Water softener systems are on the market to ensure that we don’t have to suffer from hard minerals like calcium and magnesium and trace amounts of iron.
Whether the water is from a well in your home or from the city, the water supply comes with minerals that are hard to deal with day after day.
Some of us don’t realize that we are getting hard water in our homes till we see our clothes looking old before their time, and our appliances are showing signs of wear and tear too soon.
Other effects that we see are increased use of soaps and detergents and dry skin and hair. What’s more, our kitchenware shows white spots and glassware needs more cleaning.
Stained dishes and laundry, limescale build-up in appliances, and the plumbing systems can be difficult to tolerate for long. It is even worse when the water tastes slightly off.
Fortunately, you don’t have to live with hard water forever. There are several water softening units that can help remove hard minerals from the water and protect your appliances, too.
What does grains mean in a water softener?
The grain capacity of water softeners is the maximum number of grains the system can remove before the regeneration cycle begins.
What it means is that the harness levels of water are measured in grains per gallon (GPG), i.e., one grain of hardness is equal to 1/ 7000 pounds.
The city water supply may measure hardness in milligrams, litres, or parts per million (PPM). Therefore, 1 GPG = 17.1 PPM or 17.1 mg
How do you know what grain water softener to get?
It is essential to buy the right size of water softener for home. It depends on the number of people and water usage. So, you need to multiply the number of users by the gallons of water used each day, which is usually 80 gallons per person.

Now, multiply that number by the grains of hardness in your water to find out how many grains your water softener needs to remove each day. The result should help you choose the right water softener to handle the load.
Typically, the manufacturer will provide the specifications that include exact grain capacity. But, the guidelines below can help you with the decision.
- Households with three or fewer users need a water softener that has a grain capacity of approximately 20,000 units.
- Families with four or more users need a water softener that has a grain capacity of 30,000 units or more.
Which is the best 48000 grain water softener?
The best 48000-grain water softener is AFWFilter On-demand Fleck 5600sxt Water Softener.
AFWFilter’s On-demand Fleck 5600sxt water softener is a complete solution for water treatment. It uses Fleck’s popular 5600sxt valve, and the digital meter on the valve automatically regenerates the system, but only when it is needed.
You can save not only on salt and water but also save money and time as this water softener is optimized with Fleck’s highly effective controller.
This water softener system is designed to handle demanding water needs with a 48000-grain capacity and a flow rate of 12 gallons per minute. It ensures a steady supply of soft water and removes a wide variety of contaminants in your water, such as chlorine, herbicides, and pesticides.
AFWFilters include everything you need to operate this water softener in the box with the Fleck valve making ease of use even more convenient.
This water softener is also made from high-quality NSF materials and is guaranteed to last you for several years to come. This is the best water softener system that has high water usage and makes using it a lot easier, thanks to the top-quality Fleck valve.
Why Should You Trust Us?
You can trust us because the best 48000 grain water softeners list is based on countless hours of research, testing, reading customer reviews, and talking with manufacturers.
Our in-depth comparison study covered different types of water softeners, including salt-based, salt-free water softeners and combination filter and softener systems, to help you determine which type is the best water softener for your needs.
List Of 7 Best 48000 Grain Water Softeners [Buy The Right One]
✔ Digital Metered Water Softener ✔ High Capacity Resin ✔ Installation only takes 1-2 hours |
9.8 |
|
✔ Fully programmable cycles ✔ Meter Based Regeneration ✔ 48 hour internal power backup |
9.6 |
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✔ Fully Customizable Control Head ✔ One Button Manual Regeneration ✔ Energy Efficient |
9.3 |
|
✔ Fully adjustable cycle times ✔ 3-phase regenerating cycle ✔ Easy to use LCD |
9.0 |
|
✔ Great customer service ✔ High Capacity Resin ✔ 5 year warranty valve and 10 years on the tanks |
8.8 |
|
✔ Lifetime warranty ✔ Soft Water Recharge Mode ✔ Reverse Flow Regeneration |
8.5 |
|
✔ Triple-Purpose Filter ✔ Trouble-free maintenance ✔ High Capacity and Low Pressure Drop |
8.3 |
AFWFilter On-demand Fleck 5600sxt Water Softener
AFWFilter’s On-demand Fleck 5600sxt water softener is a comprehensive solution for water treatment in your household. It uses Fleck’s popular 5600sxt valve, which adds a lot of value to your product. This is a major benefit as the digital meter on the valve automatically regenerates your system only when it is needed.
Gone are the days when you had to monitor your regeneration cycle carefully. You can save not only on salt and water but also save money and time as this water softener is optimized with Fleck’s highly effective controller.
This water softener is designed to handle demanding water needs with a 48000-grain capacity and a flow rate of twelve gallons per minute. It ensures a steady supply of soft water, and it can also remove a wide variety of contaminants in your water, like chlorine, herbicides, and pesticides.
AFWFilters include everything you need to operate this water softener in the box with the Fleck valve making ease of use even more convenient. This water softener is also made from high-quality NSF materials and is guaranteed to last you for several years to come.
This water softener is the best choice for houses that have high water usage. The highlight feature is the top-quality Fleck valve which is user friendly .
Pros
- The Fleck 5600sxt Metered On-demand 48,000 Grain Water Softener has a large grain capacity and good flow rate.
- It has a digital meter and enables auto-regeneration.
- This system is easy to set up and install.
- The Fleck 5600sxt Metered On-demand 48,000 Grain has a Touch-pad control and user-friendly interface.
- The unit has a corrosion-resistant tank.
- It has high-quality NSF materials used in the build.
- The Fleck 5600sxt Metered On-demand 48,000 Grain is eco-friendly with an upflow design.
Cons
- None
AFWFilter Built Fleck 5600sxt Water Softener
AFWFilter’s Built Fleck 5600sxt water softener is a capable device that can meet all your water treatment needs. It uses Fleck’s popular 5600sxt valve, which automatically regenerates your system only when it is needed.
The digital meter valve is incredibly useful as it makes maintaining your water softener a lot easier. It saves you time and money in addition to the salt and water you save through your system regenerating automatically.
This water softener is designed to handle large quantities of water with a 48000-grain capacity and a flow rate of twelve gallons per minute. The unit can remove a wide variety of contaminants in your water, such as chlorine, herbicides, and pesticides. It can also improve the quality of your water by removing unwanted odor and taste.
AFWFilters include everything you need to operate this water softener in the box with the Fleck valve making this device even more user-friendly and easy to use.
This water softener is also made from high-quality NSF materials and is guaranteed to last you for several years to come. This water softener will ensure consistent, clean water that can easily cater to an entire family.
Pros
- AFWFilter’s Built Fleck 5600sxt water softener has a large grain capacity and a good flow rate.
- It has a digital meter and provides auto-regeneration.
- The system is easy to install and set up.
- AFWFilter’s Built Fleck 5600sxt water softener has a touch-pad control and user-friendly interface.
- It has a corrosion-resistant brine tank.
- High-quality NSF materials are used in the build of AFWFilter’s Built Fleck 5600sxt water softener.
- It is eco-friendly with an upflow design.
Cons
- None
Aquasure Harmony Series-48000
Aquasure’s Harmony Series-48000 comes in various sizes, from 32,000 grains all the way up to an impressive 64,000 grains. The 48,000-grain capacity water softener is in the middle of the series and is perfect for house with multiple people and have demanding water needs.
It is equipped with an Aquatrol digital meter control head that automatically regenerates your water softener when it is required. This valve is based on the popular Fleck valve and is just as effective in controlling your water softener. This allows you to generate less wastewater and also saves on salt usage.
Aquasure uses quality materials in this water softener with a corrosion-resistant tank and premium-grade resin.
This high-quality build ensures a durable product that will last for several years. It is capable of removing the most common contaminants in your water and is ideal for every family.
Pros
- The Harmony Series-48000 has a large grain capacity with a good flow rate.
- It has a digital meter with auto-regeneration.
- Harmony Series-48000 is easy to set up and install.
- The system has a user-friendly digital interface.
- It has a corrosion-resistant tank.
Cons
- The brine tank in Harmony Series-48000 is heavy and difficult to move when full.
Tier 1 Water Softener
Tier 1’s 48000-grain water softener is a complete water treatment system that comes with all of the necessary components included in the box. It features a digital meter valve that is based on Fleck’s popular model with similar capabilities.
It will ensure that your water softener regenerates only when needed, making maintenance and ease of use a lot more convenient.
Tier 1 uses high-quality NSF materials that ensure good build quality and a corrosion-free tank that will ensure the longevity of your water treatment system. It also has a user-friendly LCD panel that displays information in real-time and makes it easier to control your water softener fully.
The Tier 1 water softener is ideal for use due to its space-saving form factor and can easily handle the water needs of multiple people.
Pros
- Tier 1’s 48000-grain water softener comes with a large grain capacity and reasonable flow rate.
- It has a digital meter and auto-regeneration.
- Tier 1’s 48000-grain water softener is easy to install and set up.
- It has a user-friendly digital interface.
- The unit has a corrosion-resistant tank.
Cons
- Competitive water softeners offer increased grain capacity for a similar price to this model.
DuraWater Fleck 5600 Econominder
DuraWater’s Fleck 5600 Econominder water softener is an efficient water treatment system that is controlled by the Fleck 5600 valve. This valve is mechanical, unlike the digital valve present in other water softeners.
The valve regenerates your water softener only when necessary, making the entire system more efficient and easy to use. The mechanical valve is a lot simpler than its digital equivalent and is thus less prone to failure.
This unit has been on the market for over forty years, with some of them still operating today. This speaks tremendously of the build quality and longevity of this water softener. You can have a highly efficient water softener that has been tried and tested over decades.
DuraWater provides a fully-loaded water softener that will help you save time on installation. The rugged device makes it easy to set up and promises to cater to your demanding water needs for several years.
This device can make a remarkable difference in water quality while ensuring prolonged usage with minimal maintenance. These features combined make this water softener ideal for use in areas that need to consume large amounts of clean water.
Pros
- The DuraWater’s Fleck 5600 Econominde is an extremely durable product.
- The mechanical valve offers extra longevity for your water softener.
- DuraWater’s Fleck 5600 Econominde has a large grain capacity with a good flow rate.
- It has a digital meter and auto-regeneration.
- The system is easy to install and set up.
- It has a corrosion-resistant tank.
Cons
- The unit lacks NSF-certified materials.
Genesis 2 Premier Water Softener
The Genesis 2 water softener comes in a variety of sizes, from a meager 24,000 grains all the way up to a massive 96,000-grain capacity. The 48,000 capacity model is in the middle of their range and is ideally suited for families with four or more members. This model will cater to your entire family.
The Genesis 2 Premier features on-demand metered control of your water softener that allows it to regenerate only when needed.
Combined with a unique upflow design, this water softener greatly improves efficiency and reduces wastage. A family of four can save an estimated 9,720 pounds of salt and 32,400 gallons of water on an annual basis with this water softener.
All of your information is displayed with a unique feature that will never allow your system settings to be lost even if your house loses power. This water softener is easy to install and operate and is a one-time investment that will provide clean water for your entire family for a long time.
Pros
- The Genesis 2 water softener has On-demand metered control
- It has a large grain capacity and flow rate.
- The Genesis 2 water softener is of durable build quality.
- It is highly efficient with reduced wastage.
- The unit is easy to install and use.
Cons
- The Genesis 2 water softener lacks NSF-certified materials.
- It is a more expensive system when compared to competitive models.
Aquasure Whole House Water Filtration Bundle
Aquasure’s Whole House Water Filtration Bundle is the most comprehensive water treatment system on this list. It goes beyond softening to include a triple-purpose pre-filter that can handle sediments, zinc, and GAC. It also includes a reverse osmosis system that ensures you have the cleanest water possible.
This system can eliminate contaminants at their source and help preserve the lifespan of your appliances. It has exceptional performance with an Aquatrol control head that will automatically regenerate your water softener only when needed.
Pairing this with the Aquasure reverse osmosis membrane will help save water and reduce overhead costs.
Aquasure uses high-quality and durable materials that ensure long-lasting performance and even include important safety features that will keep your house protected, even during system downtime.
This model is a complete water treatment system that softens water and eliminates any harmful contaminants. It can cater to an entire family and provides value for money.
Pros
- Comprehensive water treatment with softening, filtering, and RO.
- The Aquasure’s Whole House Water Filtration Bundle is easy to use and maintain.
- It has a large grain capacity and a good flow rate.
- The system is an all-in-one device at an affordable price point.
Cons
- The Aquasure’s Whole House Water Filtration Bundle is difficult to install and may require professional assistance.
48,000 vs 64,000-grain water softener

The softening capabilities of your water softener are measured in grain capacity. This is usually denoted in numbers like 24,000, 48,000, 64,000, and more. These numbers are indicators of how much hardness a water softener can remove before it has to regenerate.
A grain of hardness is 1/7000 of a pound of dissolved calcium and magnesium. This means that a 48,000-grain water softener should be able to remove 48,000 grains of hardness before needing to regenerate. While this may be true, there are a few other factors to consider.
Water softeners are tested in lab conditions with perfect control over flow rates and other metrics. These conditions are not often replicated in real life. So a water softener with a grain capacity of 48,000 is more likely to have an actual capacity of 45,000. This also doesn’t factor in the amount of salt needed for removing the grain capacity.
One-third of the number of salt yields two-thirds the capacity, which is a more economical and efficient way of running a water softener, i.e., your 48.000 capacity water softener is more effective with less salt that covers 32,000 grains.
When it comes to choosing between 48,000 or 64,000 capacity water softeners, you should consider what your water needs are. If you have a large family and extremely hard water, it is better to go for 64,000 grains.
For a family of four with some level of hard water, a 48,000-grain capacity water softener can meet all their water needs.
Larger grain capacities are more expensive but can also handle more than water softeners with less grain capacity before regeneration.
Conduct a hardness test on your water and carefully assess your family’s water needs to determine if you can benefit from a larger capacity or whether it’s an extra expenditure that you do not really need.
Learn from professionals how to calculate water softener grains
As mentioned before, it is important to know the water softener grain capacity before looking at the various products in the market. But, to do that, you also need to understand how to calculate water softener grains.
Water softeners use an ion exchange process designed to remove scale build-up caused by calcium and magnesium ions, unlike the reverse osmosis systems or boiling and cooling process.
The softener capacity is the amount of hardness a water softener can remove between regeneration cycles. It can be expressed either in gallons or grains.
Understanding the capacity is essential to sizing, choosing, configuring, or troubleshooting a water softener.
What do you need to know to calculate softener capacity?

Step 1.
Convert the water hardness from ppm to grains per US gallon
GPG = ppm/17.118
Example: 118 ppm would be equal to 6.9 gpg
Step 2.
Calculate water softener capacity in grains
Total Grains Per Day That Must Be Removed = People in Household × Gal per Person × [GPG Hardness + (3)Iron]
Example: Daily Grain Requirements = 5 people × 75 gal per person × [7 gpg + 2.0(3) mg/l] = 5850
Step 3.
Calculate softener capacity:
If Your Daily Grain Requirements Are: | You Need a Water Softener With: | |
0 – 3,500 Grains Per Day | — | 24,000 Grain Capacity |
3,501 – 4,500 Grains Per Day | — | 32,000 Grain Capacity |
4,501 – 5,750 Grains Per Day | — | 40,000 Grain Capacity |
5,751 – 6,850 Grains Per Day | — | 48,000 Grain Capacity |
6,851 – 9,150 Grains Per Day | — | 64,000 Grain Capacity |
9,151 – 11,500 Grains Per Day | — | 80,000 Grain Capacity |
How much salt should my 48000-grain water softener use?

Salt-based water softeners need salt to be added to the brine tank regularly. The frequency of refilling salt depends on the size of the brine tank, water hardness levels, number of users, and average water usage.
The water softener salt level in the brine tank must be at least a quarter full but not more than 4-6 inches below the top of the tank and a few inches above the water level.
Before adding new salt to a tank, you must loosen the encrusted salt stuck to the sides of the tank. Encrusted salt forms into salt bridges that must be removed. These bridges can be manually broken up with a broom handle before dissolving with hot water.
A correctly sized system, the industry standard for an average family of four with a water hardness level of 7-10 gpg, will use approximately 10lbs of salt every week or one 40lbs bag of salt per month.
You will need to check the tank regularly to ensure that the salt and water in your tank are at the required levels.
The manufacturer’s user manual should provide details on the backwash frequency and salt dose for your water softener model. The more a unit regenerates, the more salt it will need. The quantity of salt the system uses for each regeneration cycle will decide how many gallons of water can be softened before needing to regenerate.
Verdict
After much research and comparison studies among the water softeners in the market, our verdict on best 48000 water softener is the AFWFilter’s On-demand Fleck 5600sxt water softener. It offers a complete solution for household water treatment. It uses Fleck’s popular 5600sxt valve, which is a major benefit as the digital meter on the valve regenerates only when it is necessary.
You can save not only on salt and water but also save money and time as this water softener is optimized with Fleck’s highly effective controller.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What grain water softener for family of 2?
It depends on the hardness levels of the water available. For instance, if there are two of you, you can use the data below:
Hardness in grains per gallon for a family of 2
5 – 10 gpg – 32000 grains
11-20 gpg – 32000 grains
21-30 gpg – 32000 grains
31-40 gpg – 40000 grains
41-50 gpg – 64000 grains
51-75 gpg – 64000 grains
76-100 gpg – 80000 grains
How many grains needed to soften 14 hard water?
We know that one grain per gallon (gpg) amounts to 17.14 parts per million (ppm). GPG is the most commonly used measurement. But, hardness levels can be measured in PPM, too.
So, 11 – 15 hard water means that the water is very hard and causes all the effects of hard water all the time. If there is anywhere between 11- 20 gpg hardness in grains, you need a water softener that has a capacity for at least 32000 grains.
How to increase grains on water softener?
The water softener hardness should be set to the amount of water hardness and 4 for every ppm of iron that is dissolved in the water.
For example, if you have 1 PPM of iron, you add 4 to the number, and for 1.5 PPM of iron, you add 6 to your hardness number, and so on.
How many cubic feet of resin is in a 48,000 grain water softener system?
The water softener system will have 1.5 cubic feet of resin that is capable of removing a maximum of 48,000 grains (48k) of hardness between regenerations. The actual capacity will depend on the system settings and water quality.
What is an average hardness setting for a water softener?
Water softener systems are designed to eliminate hardness-causing minerals and traces of iron. But, all of them may not be suitable for high concentrations of minerals or iron.
Therefore, the hardness setting in the water softener may need some adjusting. Therefore, a good hardness level should be equal to or lower than 120 to 170 mg/ L, i.e., between seven and ten grains per gallon of water.
What if my water softener is too big?
If your water softener system is too big, it is not necessarily bad. But, you may be paying more money upfront. Regeneration also occurs less frequently, and the water softener system will use salt efficiently even as it removes calcium and magnesium minerals.
When regeneration happens, it will use more water and salt, but this will be negated because cycles occur less frequently.
Nevertheless, you need to know the meaning behind the manufacturer’s claim of capacity figures.
Conclusion
With a large number of people struggling with hard water problems, there is an increasing demand for economical and efficient water softeners.
However, it is not simple or easy to buy the right water softener without pertinent information.
Our job is to provide such information with a detailed review of a shortlist of water softener systems in the market, including the pros and cons of each system.
It is our hope that this guide will help you make the best choice for your home. It should ensure that health is enhanced with good quality water and long-lasting appliances.
About The Author

Judith— a passionate water treatment specialist — is a waste water management enthusiast, clean drinking water advocate, and someone with deep personal experience and knowledge about various water equipments. Her work was mentioned in countless notable water associations. Previously she was an editor at Water Alliance.