What is this "scuba tank-like" device?

[ryanp]

Is this an old water softener or just a filter of some sort? If it is a softener, where does the salt go?

Click to Enlarge

27.15 KB

[kurt]

Provide an establishing shot; what are we looking at, where is it, what's it connected to, etc.

It looks like an old filter/softener; it may be one that gets changed out on a scheduled basis, so it doesn't need salt.

It could also be an old tempering tank, but I doubt it.

[ryanp]

Sorry, I should have taken a better picture and described it more adequately. It is right next to the water heater and I failed to mention it is plumbed like a water softener. Thanks for the reply.

[mgbinspect]

Unless I'm mistaken, I believe Les identified one of these a few years back for me. I'll try to dig up the original post, and we'll hope Les saves the day.

[mgbinspect]

Well, either I didn't make the original post (could have sworn that I did), or it's been archived. Sorry I can't help.

[Marc]

What's an archived post? Is it no longer available?

Marc

[mgbinspect]

What's an archived post? Is it no longer available?

Marc

\

In all honesty, I'm not sure myself. I just notice the option to search "non-archived posts" and assume maybe some aren't available? I do remember posting about a similar unit that was suspended horizontal from the floor joists and Les identified it. Unfortunately, I don't accurately recall what he said it was. I thought it had to do with the water heater that is beside it, but I don't recall the connection.

[Les]

Hey,

it is a pre-charged softner tank, as Kurt said. Pretty common in the Mid-west.

Culligan had abt "forty million" out there. Old technology.

[hausdok]

Hi,

If it's so old, isn't there any concern about accumulation of bacteria in whatever kind of media they have in that thing?

ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!

Mike

[kurt]

I'd sure as heck get rid of it if it was in my house.

[Bill Kibbel]

Is this an old water softener or just a filter of some sort? If it is a softener, where does the salt go?

Click to Enlarge

27.15Â KB

It could be an old filter, if it contains sand/gravel/clay/bone charcoal or an old softener if it contains gravel & zeolite. If there's no other opening than for the 2 pipes, it was the type that got switched out on a regular schedule.

[Bill Kibbel]

Culligan had abt "forty million" out there. Old technology.

If there's no opening for regeneration, it could well be a Culligan. They originally didn't sell water softeners. They sold a service that softened water. The "Culligan Man" (a franchise) appeared regularly at customers homes to switch out canisters.

[kurt]

Wasn't the "softening" an early marketing phrase about filtering out the iron?

As in, they take out the "hard" iron, so the water is "soft"......I think I read that somewhere a long time ago.