Shopping Cart Items: 0   Sub-Total : US$0.00
Welcome, Guest ( Login )
Celebrating 33 years providing high quality products and advice.
Our Local Time Is 8:49:53 AM.
Call us at 818-786-0600. We are here to help!
Lab Water System ON SALE NOW
Introducing the Polaris Lab Water Systems
High Purity Water Made In The USA.
Click here for more info.
Laboratory Water Systems Laboratory Process Filters Laboratory Equipment Water Treatment

APS TechNotes See all articles

Which water softener resin do you need


The Quick Answer


Most water softener use a high quality FDA food grade Softener Resin.

Unless you have some extraordinary reason, this is the resin you will want to use C-100 E NA Softener Resin.

You can find that here : Best Resin To use


The full story



As you might have noticed, there is a seemingly endless amount of choices for which water softener resin you need.

There are two basic types of resin we recommend for water softeners.

1. 8% Standard Cation (Pronounced Cat-eye-un)
2. Fine Mesh Resin

Actually you have very few choices. Let me explain more.

The first thing you should know is that there is little if any difference between brands of softening resin. It is best to pick the cheapest one within reason. You do not want resin to be dried out or you may have problems with low capacity and high levels of particulates. As the resin dries out it shrinks and fractures into small particles. You do not want to use used resin in a standard softener.

You will find a wide range of pricing for resins, but this it usually just because different companies charge different prices for their brand. More expensive doesn't necessarily mean better quality.

What is percent crosslink?

If you picture a tennis ball that has magnets stuck on the outside and strings that run from wall to wall on the inside, you have a basic ion exchange resin.

Ion Exchange Crosslink


These molecular strings give the resin strength as it contracts and expands during exhaustion/regeneration cycles. Most softening resin have 8% crosslinks and some specialty specialty resins have 10% or higher. Most people would use the 8% resin. The 10% crosslink resins have a little better strength and last a little longer in chlorinated water. Chlorinated water attacks the strings and cause the resin to fragment. Since there are more strings, the resin holds together a bit longer. Our opinion is that the gain in life doesn't make up for the price increase for most homes.

There are two basic types of resin we recommend for water softeners.

1. 8% Standard Cation (Pronounced Cat-eye-un)
2. Fine Mesh Resin

Most water softeners use the standard resins like the C-100-E Na.  Which is for is a Cation Resin, with 8% Cross link that has been pre charged with sodium. This resin is great when you have water with less then 3-5 p.p.m. of dissolved Iron. It will provide very soft water and will last up to 10 or even 15 years depending on your initial water quality.

The other choice is the Fine Mesh Resin. This resin is physically smaller which lets it pack closer together eliminating some air voids. You could picture it comparing a pile of tennis balls to a pile of ping pong balls. The smaller bead gives you a larger overall surface for iron to adhere to.



Fine mesh can effectively remove dissolved iron up to 10 p.p.m. Fine mesh resin can also be used in combination with activated carbon to reduce hydrogen sulfide and to improve smell, taste and feel of your water. Fine mesh resin requires a special riser screen with smaller slots or a gravel bed to avoid resin migration.


Related Articles

How Much Media do you need?
How To Change Resin In a Water Softener
All About Water Softeners







Open To The Public

Why Use APS??

Independent Reps Wanted

Need Live Help?

Contact Us
818-786-0600

Short Lead times.
Lab Water Deionizer

Best
Lab Water System

Top Sellers

Most Popular
Fume Hoods

Glassware Washers

Images are representative of the products. Images may or may not be of the actual product. If it is important e-mail us for an actual image if available.

* Flat Rate UPS shipping when able to ship via UPS and is in the USA excluding Hawaii and Alaska.
Larger Items may not be able to ship via UPS, in that case freight charges will be quoted seperately.
International shipping will be quoted after the order is placed. You will have the opportunity to cancel before we finalize your order.

Terms and conditions
Credit Application
Privacy Policy
List All Products