Looking for a reliable whole-house system that softens your water and reduces chlorine and odors, all in one package?
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Product overview
You’re looking at the AFWFilters 5600sxt Whole House Water Softener Plus Upflow Carbon Filtration System, 10% crosslink resin and coconut shell carbon, 9″x48″ tanks, 32,000 grain Fleck water softener, 1 cubic foot systems. This system combines a high-capacity softener and an upflow carbon filter in compact 9″x48″ tanks, and it arrives ready to install with a Fleck 5600sxt control head. If you want softened water throughout your home plus improved taste and odor control, this model is built to give you both functions in a single, coordinated setup.
What’s included and why it matters
You’ll get a softener tank (9″x48″) loaded with upgraded 10% crosslink resin, a 1 cubic foot carbon tank (also 9″x48″) loaded with coconut shell carbon, and a Fleck 5600sxt Metered On-Demand control head. Both tanks have in/out valves and 1″ bypass fittings so you can isolate the system during maintenance. AFWFilters provides detailed instructions and installation videos on their YouTube channel, and they offer customer support to answer questions. Tanks arrive loaded to make installation easier, and the only additional items you need are a 1/2″ ID drain line and the fittings that match your home plumbing.
Why loaded tanks are convenient
Having tanks pre-loaded with resin and carbon saves time and protects you from handling filtration media. You don’t have to mess with messy pour-in installations, and the media are seated correctly to help the system perform as intended from day one.
Quick specification table
Here’s a concise breakdown so you can scan the key specs quickly and compare them to what your home needs.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product name | AFWFilters 5600sxt Whole House Water Softener Plus Upflow Carbon Filtration System |
| Softener tank size | 9″ x 48″ |
| Softener capacity | 32,000 grains (approx., depends on salt dose and settings) |
| Resin type | 10% crosslink cation exchange resin (upgraded) |
| Carbon tank size | 9″ x 48″ |
| Carbon media | 1 cu ft coconut shell carbon |
| Control valve | Fleck 5600sxt Metered On-Demand |
| Bypass fittings | 1″ (on both tanks) |
| Drain line required | 1/2″ ID |
| Installation | Tanks loaded and ready; instructions and videos provided |
| Support | AFWFilters customer support available |
How the system works
You’ll appreciate that this is a two-stage setup: the carbon tank treats for chlorine, taste, and odor, while the softener reduces hardness-causing minerals like calcium and magnesium. The upflow carbon filter forces water upward through the carbon bed, which improves contact and can reduce channeling. After carbon treatment, water passes through the softener where the ion-exchange resin swaps sodium (or potassium, if you use it) for hardness ions.
Order of the stages and why it matters
Typically the carbon filter is installed first on the incoming water, followed by the softener. Placing carbon first helps remove chlorine that can harm resin life and also improves odor and taste before softening. You’ll want to follow the manufacturer’s recommended piping layout to preserve performance and longevity.
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Fleck 5600sxt Metered On-Demand control head
You’ll use the Fleck 5600sxt control valve to manage regeneration and flow. Fleck valves are industry-standard, reliable, and fairly intuitive once you walk through the setup steps. The metered on-demand mode regenerates based on actual water usage rather than a fixed schedule, which helps you conserve water and salt by regenerating only when needed.
Key features of the Fleck 5600sxt
This valve allows you to program hardness, set regeneration time, and define backwash/brine cycles. You’ll find it supports metered operation so your system doesn’t regenerate unnecessarily. It’s widely used for residential systems and has robust replacement parts if service is required.
Resin: 10% crosslink benefits
You’re getting upgraded 10% crosslink resin in the softener tank. Crosslink percentage refers to the degree of crosslinking in the polymer beads: higher crosslink typically means better chemical and oxidative resistance, longer life, and slower degradation when exposed to oxidants like chlorine.
What 10% crosslink resin means for you
With 10% crosslink resin, the beads resist breakdown better than standard 8% crosslink resin. That translates into longer service life and improved performance in systems where the carbon might not remove all oxidants, or where water conditions are more challenging. You’ll likely need to replace resin much less frequently than with lower-crosslink media.
Coconut shell carbon advantages
The carbon media is coconut shell carbon, which is known for strong adsorption capacities for organic compounds and chlorine taste/odor. Coconut carbon typically has a harder structure and a high micropore volume, which is effective at polishing taste and removing certain organic contaminants.
Why coconut shell carbon is a good choice
You’ll notice better taste and reduced chlorine smell, and coconut carbon often has lower dust and fines when properly loaded, which makes for cleaner installations and less initial backwash. If your water source has chlorine or chloramine, carbon will reduce or remove the chlorine; however, note that standard granular carbon is much more effective against free chlorine than chloramine, so you may need to test for chloramine and consider catalytic carbon if that’s present.
Upflow carbon filtration: what it does differently
Upflow design sends water from the bottom to the top of the carbon bed, which helps keep the bed expanded and minimizes channeling. This creates more even contact between water and carbon granules, so the carbon is used more effectively.
How upflow benefits maintenance and performance
Because the bed is less prone to channeling, you’ll get more uniform carbon usage and longer effective service life before breakthrough. You’ll also see reduced turbidity carryover during service because upflow can help keep fines contained at the bottom during backwash.
Performance expectations
You should expect the system to deliver softened water at the flow rates typical for a 9″x48″ 32,000-grain softener paired with a 1 cu ft carbon bed—sufficient for many single-family homes. Softening performance depends on settings (salt dose, hardness setting) and your incoming water hardness. Carbon life depends on organic loading and chlorine/chloramine levels.
Flow rates and household sizing
A 9″x48″ tank with a Fleck 5600sxt typically supports peak flows suitable for a household with multiple fixtures running simultaneously. You’ll want to check maximum recommended bypass or valve flow rates in the Fleck manual and confirm your highest simultaneous demand. If you have many high-flow fixtures operating concurrently (multiple showers plus laundry and dishwasher), consider measuring peak flow to confirm adequacy.
Calculating softener capacity and regeneration
The softener is rated at 32,000 grains. To size regeneration frequency, calculate your household’s daily grain load by multiplying your water hardness (grains per gallon) by daily water use gallons. Dividing 32,000 by your daily grain load gives the number of days between full-capacity regenerations; with metered on-demand, the valve will regenerate when actual usage approaches that capacity.
Example calculation
If your home uses 300 gallons/day and hardness is 12 gpg: 300 x 12 = 3600 grains/day. 32,000 / 3600 ≈ 8.8 days. So you’d expect regeneration about every 8–9 days at that usage. You can adjust salt dose and reserve settings on the control valve to optimize regeneration frequency and salt consumption.
Salt vs. potassium, and brine system notes
You’ll use salt (sodium chloride) or potassium chloride in the brine tank when regenerating the resin. Using potassium is an option for those trying to avoid added sodium in softened water, though potassium is more costly.
Tips for brine efficiency
Program the Fleck 5600sxt salt dose appropriately for your resin capacity and desired hardness removal efficiency. Higher salt dose yields more complete regeneration but increases operating cost. Metered regeneration helps by only regenerating when needed, so you’re not wasting salt on calendar-based cycles.
Installation: what you’ll need
The system ships ready to install with loaded tanks and included valves, but you’ll need to provide the 1/2″ ID drain line for the control head and your home-specific plumbing fittings to connect the bypass to your house supply. Basic plumbing skills and tools are required, and the provided documentation and AFWFilters videos make the process approachable for DIYers with experience.
Step-by-step highlights
- Pick an installation location that’s level and can support the weight of the loaded tanks.
- Position the carbon tank ahead of the softener as recommended.
- Connect the inlet and outlet using your plumbing fittings; bypass valves allow service without shutting down home plumbing.
- Connect the control head drain line to an appropriate drain with 1/2″ ID hose.
- Program the Fleck 5600sxt with your water hardness and preferred regeneration time.
- Start service water slowly to flush any trapped air, then check for leaks and proper flow.
Maintenance schedule and tips
Keeping the system performing well requires a few routine tasks: monitor salt level, periodically inspect the carbon tank and softener for leaks or unusual pressure drop, and replace carbon or resin when they reach end of life.
Routine tasks and frequency
- Check salt level monthly and add as needed.
- Inspect for leaks after the first few weeks and monthly thereafter.
- Replace carbon when performance degrades (taste/odor returns or capacity is exhausted). For many households, 1 cu ft of coconut carbon might last months to years depending on chlorine and organic load.
- Replace resin only when you see declining softening performance that can’t be corrected by regeneration adjustments—resin life with 10% crosslink can be many years.
Troubleshooting common issues
If you notice hard water after installation, first confirm the softener settings match your water hardness and that the brine tank has salt. Check that the bypass is fully in service position, and ensure the Fleck valve is programmed and the meter is working.
Addressing chlorine or odor breakthrough
If chlorine taste returns, check carbon bed exhaustion or high chloramine levels. If your water uses chloramine, standard coconut carbon might not be sufficient; consider contacting AFWFilters support for guidance on catalytic carbon options or upgrades.
Pros and cons
You’ll want a clear sense of benefits and trade-offs before buying.
Pros
- Two-stage treatment: carbon + softening in one coordinated system.
- 10% crosslink resin offers improved durability.
- Coconut shell carbon provides good taste and odor removal.
- Fleck 5600sxt metered on-demand valve conserves water and salt.
- Tanks ship loaded for easier installation.
- 1″ bypass fittings for easy service isolation.
- AFWFilters offers installation videos and customer support.
Cons
- Standard carbon is less effective against chloramine; additional media may be necessary if your source uses it.
- You’ll need to supply specific plumbing fittings for your home plumbing and a 1/2″ ID drain line.
- Carbon capacity (1 cu ft) will vary in lifespan depending on chlorine and organic loading—monitor performance and plan for eventual replacement.
Comparison to alternative setups
If you’re deciding between combining carbon and softening in one system versus separate components, this paired setup saves footprint and pre-coordinates flow between stages. If you have very high chlorine/chloramine or specific contaminant concerns (like VOCs or lead), you may want additional targeted filtration stages (e.g., catalytic carbon, CTO cartridges, or RO for drinking water).
When to consider additional filtration
You’ll consider adding more filtration if you detect chloramine, significant VOCs, or heavy sediment that could foul the carbon or resin. A sediment pre-filter can help protect both the carbon and the resin from particulates.
Cost and value
This system provides a lot of functionality for a single purchase: softening plus carbon filtration and a respected Fleck control head. You’ll pay operating costs for salt (or potassium) and occasional carbon replacement, but metered regeneration helps keep operating cost efficient.
Long-term value factors
Resin longevity due to 10% crosslink and the pre-loaded tanks reduce initial installation time and risk of improper media handling. If you value reliable softening and improved taste/odor in one compact package, the combined system tends to be a good value.
Tips for a successful install and use
- Test your water for hardness, chlorine, chloramine, and any target contaminants before installing so you can program and size the system correctly.
- Place the carbon upstream of the softener to protect resin life.
- Use a sediment filter ahead of the carbon if your water has visible particles.
- Keep the brine tank covered and clean; use quality salt to reduce bridging and contaminants.
- Follow Fleck 5600sxt programming steps closely; set correct hardness, reserve, and regeneration time.
Environmental and operational considerations
Using a metered on-demand valve reduces unnecessary regenerations, which saves water and salt compared to day-clock systems. You’ll still use salt for ion exchange, so consider the environmental trade-offs if you’re in a location with restrictions on salt discharge. If you want to minimize sodium output, consider using potassium chloride or investigating a softening alternative.
Backwash and drain requirements
Make sure your drain can accept periodic backwash from the control head. You’ll need the 1/2″ ID drain line and an appropriate drain location that meets local codes for brine discharge. Check local regulations for salt discharge and follow recommended brine disposal methods if required.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How often will the carbon need replacing?
Carbon lifespan varies widely. If your water has moderate chlorine and organic loading, 1 cu ft of coconut carbon can last months to a few years. Monitor taste, odor, and chlorine presence; replace when those indicators return or when system pressure drop changes significantly.
Can the system handle chloramine?
Standard coconut shell carbon reduces free chlorine well but isn’t as effective on chloramine. If your supply uses chloramine, contact AFWFilters or consider catalytic carbon specialized for chloramine removal.
How do I program the Fleck 5600sxt?
You’ll set hardness, reserve quantity, and regeneration time in the valve menu. AFWFilters includes instructions and has step-by-step videos that show programming for typical residential setups. If you’re unsure, you can reach out to their customer support for assistance.
Is professional installation required?
You can install it yourself if you have plumbing experience and follow the instructions. Otherwise, hiring a plumber ensures proper connections, leak-free installation, and compliance with local codes.
What maintenance should I perform regularly?
Check salt monthly, inspect for leaks, monitor water quality, and replace carbon when performance drops. Only expect to replace resin after many years if you’re using quality crosslink resin and protecting it from oxidants.
Troubleshooting checklist
If you encounter problems, work through this checklist to isolate the issue.
- Confirm bypass valves are in “service” position.
- Check brine tank for salt bridge or low salt levels.
- Verify Fleck control valve settings and that the meter is reading flow.
- Look for incoming water chlorine/chloramine levels if taste/odor returns.
- Inspect for clogged or kinked drain line causing valve errors.
When to contact customer support
If you see persistent performance issues after basic checks, contact AFWFilters support. They can help troubleshoot programming issues, leaks, or media concerns and point you to replacement parts.
Final thoughts and recommendation
You’ll find the AFWFilters 5600sxt Whole House Water Softener Plus Upflow Carbon Filtration System to be a strong option if you want combined softening and carbon polishing with a reliable Fleck control valve and durable media. The 10% crosslink resin increases longevity, the coconut shell carbon improves taste and odor, and the upflow carbon design helps efficient media usage. If you test your water and confirm your needs align with what this system removes, it’s a practical, space-efficient solution for many families.
If you decide to proceed, prepare the plumbing fittings needed for your home, watch the AFWFilters installation videos, and keep the manufacturer’s support contact handy for any questions during setup or operation. This will help you get consistent soft water and improved taste throughout your home with minimal fuss.
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