Fleck 5600SXT Water Softener Review

What the valve does, and what it does not

The Pentair data sheet for the valve gives its flow in metric units: a continuous flow of 4.4 cubic meters per hour at 1 bar, a peak flow of 5.8 cubic meters per hour, a flow coefficient (Cv) of 5.2 gpm and an operating pressure from 1.4 to 8.5 bar, which is about 20 to 123 psi. The sheet also notes double backwash capability.

The same sheet does not give a softener’s grain capacity or a complete system rating. That is why the 12 GPM service flow on the seller’s page belongs to the complete configuration, not to the valve alone, which Pentair rates at 20 GPM continuous. When you compare sellers, look for the system rating and the grain capacity together.

The configuration we reviewed

Item	What the listing says
Capacity	48,000 grains rated; about 45,000 at 15 lb of salt and about 36,000 at 9 lb
Resin and mineral tank	1.5 cubic feet of 10% crosslink resin; 10 by 54 inch mineral tank
Brine tank	Included
Service flow	12 GPM
Salt and water per regeneration	About 7 lb of salt; about 25 to 50 gallons of water
Size and weight	34 inches wide by 63 tall by 19 deep; about 124 lb shipping weight
Iron limit	About 1 ppm of dissolved (clear-water) iron; above that an iron filter goes first
Warranty	5 years on the valve, 10 years on the mineral tank, 5 years on the brine tank
Price	$1,995, free shipping to the lower 48 states

These are the seller’s figures. Confirm them on the seller’s page or in writing before you order. Mid Atlantic Water also offers a free phone consultation on sizing.

Why sellers differ

Two sellers can sell the “same” valve in very different systems. One may include a brine tank and a bypass, and another may leave the brine tank out. Resin amounts, flow ratings and warranties also change. Mid Atlantic Water calls the 48,000-grain setup its most-installed configuration. That is the dealer’s own description, and it does not tell you how the unit performs in your home.

Compare each offer on the same lines: grain capacity at your salt setting, resin amount, service flow, what is in the box, warranty length and terms, delivery, and installation. Then add the bypass and installation to find the real cost. Our water softener cost guide shows the ranges to expect.

Does 48,000 grains fit your home?

The Penn State method is the best check. Multiply the gallons each person uses per day, by the number of people, by your hardness in grains per gallon. Four people using 75 gallons each on 10 gpg water need about 3,000 grains a day. At 36,000 to 45,000 grains, a unit like this regenerates about every 12 to 15 days.

The seller sizes this unit for 1 to 4 people on water up to about 15 grains per gallon (1 to 2 people up to about 30). Treat that as the seller’s guideline, not a guarantee, and check it against your hardness and use. Capacity depends on salt dose, so a grain rating without a salt setting does not tell you much. For one to three people, the seller’s 32,000-grain model is smaller; see our small water softener guide. Our size calculator walks through the same arithmetic.

Certification and warranty

Neither the valve sheet nor the seller’s listing names an NSF/ANSI 44 certification for the complete softener. NSF/ANSI 44 is the standard that covers a softener’s hardness removal and efficiency, according to Nebraska Extension. A valve or tank can carry other marks, such as materials certification, while the complete system carries none. Ask the seller for the complete-system listing in writing.

The warranty is the strong point: 5 years on the valve, 10 years on the mineral tank and 5 years on the brine tank. Read the terms before you pay, because a warranty that covers a part is not the same as one that covers the whole unit.

Installation

Installation is where many softener purchases go wrong. The connections involve the main water line, a drain and often a new bypass, so the job is plumbing work. Local code and a licensed plumber decide who can make those connections and whether a permit is needed. Penn State notes that each regeneration sends about 50 gallons of water to the drain, which matters if you have a septic system. Check your drain location before the unit arrives. Ask the installer to write down the settings they enter (hardness, regeneration time, salt dose) and keep the manual with the unit.

Pros and cons

Pros

• A common valve that dealers and installers know, with parts that are easy to find.
• The seller publishes the size, weight, salt use, iron limit and a 5-year valve warranty.
• Metered valve, free shipping to the lower 48 states and a free sizing call.

Cons

• Published iron limit is only about 1 ppm, so most iron wells need a separate iron filter first.
• No third-party softener certification is listed.
• A plumber is recommended, and drain tubing, fittings and salt are not included.
• At $1,995 it costs more than most complete kits.

Who it suits

This setup suits a 2-4 person home on city water or a well with very little iron, a buyer who wants a documented valve, and someone who will hire a licensed plumber for the connections. It also suits someone who expects to rely on a local installer for setup and service.

Who should skip it

Skip this configuration if you need a certification in writing and the seller cannot provide one. Skip it also if your iron is above about 1 ppm: use an iron filter first, or look at the softener that states a 3 ppm limit in our well water softener guide. If you want one brand to supply the unit, the head and the warranty as a kit, compare it with the SpringWell SS review, which lists its own warranty terms.

Questions to ask the seller

1. What is the grain capacity at the salt setting you plan to use?
2. What is the service flow rate for this exact system?
3. Which parts are included: brine tank, salt, bypass, delivery and installation?
4. What is the warranty on the valve, the tanks and the resin?
5. Which complete-system certification applies, and can you send the listing?
6. Does the iron limit of about 1 ppm cover my lab results?

For a broader comparison of salt-based softeners, read the best water softener guide before you choose a seller.