Soft water and SWG's

[waterbear]

I have a whole house softener system and a SWG and fill my pool with softened water. I have a fiberglass pool so I run my calcium at about 200 ppm by adding calcium chloride. (Jury is still out whether fiberglass need calcium. I've posted this elsewhere on the forum so I won't go into it here.) I have not noticed my salt level going too high (and my unit does have a high salt shut off). I test my salt level with chemical tests and with Goldline and LaMotte handheld meters. When I have to add water to my pool my salt levels go down from the dilution effects so the amount of salt being added by my softener system is minimal.

EDIT: An advantage of filling with softened water is you will remove or reduce any metals present in your fill water when it runs through the softener. If metals are not an issue and your calcium hardness of your fill water is not too high then there really isn't any advantage to using softened water. If you have metals or extremly high calcium hardness then, IMHO, there are advantages. Just remember to properly balance the water!

[BND]

Thanks for the replies. Main point in that i dont need to be concerned or re-plumb the leveler before i add the SWG.
Right now the softener unit is a Culligan. i am going to change it out to a unit that i can buy locally( Gilbert AZ) if anyone has any suggestions

[darenjones]

culligans aren't the greatest in the world, mainly due to reliability issues, and their demand to use their "Salt". When you look at it, it has a lot of conditioning agents to " soften" the water. Plus, they have the highest salt content in their water. Not familiar with AZ water, assuming you are on municiple. Would have to know your TDS, and actual hardness, not just calcium hardness (sometimes refered to as Carbonate Hardess, or Total Hardness) and wether or not you have any Iron, sulfur, maganeese, etc.
PM me and I am sure I could reccommend something better in your area, either something you can get direct, and take care of, or someone who can set you up on a more permanent solution.