Thinking about whether the AFW Filters Built Fleck 5600SXT 48,000 Grain Water Softener with Upflow Carbon Filter (Purolite C100E Resin with Carbon) is the right whole-house solution for your home?
Product overview and what you get
You get a complete package designed to soften water for your whole house and filter out a wide range of contaminants. The system includes the Fleck 5600SXT digital meter valve, a 48,000-grain softener tank charged with upgraded Purolite C100E resin, and an upflow carbon filtration tank loaded with 1.5 cubic feet of high-activity coconut shell carbon. The package also ships with an installation manual, technical support access, silicone lubricant, and hardness test strips to help you confirm a good setup.
Key components and purpose
Each component has a clear job: the Fleck 5600SXT valve meters your water use and controls regeneration, the Purolite C100E resin handles ion exchange to remove hardness minerals, and the upflow carbon removes chlorine, chloramines, organic contaminants, tastes, and odors. You’re essentially getting a two-stage system: softening first, then carbon polishing for cleaner, safer-feeling water throughout the house. The carbon is arranged in an upflow design so it filters without needing backwash, which changes how you maintain and position the system.
Technical specifications table
You’ll find the main specs summarized below so you can quickly compare them against your home’s needs.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| System type | Whole-house water softener + upflow carbon filter |
| Resin | Purolite C100E (UPGRADED, USA-made) |
| Softening capacity | 48,000 grains |
| Carbon media | 1.5 cu ft high-activity coconut shell carbon |
| Control valve | Fleck 5600SXT digital meter valve |
| Recommended service flow | Up to 12 GPM |
| Household sizing | Ideal for 2–5 people (varies by usage) |
| Upflow carbon design | No backwash required, no drain line, no electricity for carbon stage |
| Contaminant removal (carbon) | Chlorine, chloramines, pesticides, herbicides, organics, MTBE, THMs, tastes and odors |
| Warranties | Fleck valve: 5 years; tanks: 10 years |
| Included accessories | Installation manual, technical support, silicone lubricant, hardness test strips |
| Assembly | Systems assembled with NSF-approved parts and media (manufacturer statement) |
Performance and capacity
You’ll notice good softening performance when the system is sized appropriately for your household. A 48,000-grain capacity is commonly enough for many small to medium households; it’s particularly effective if your family is between two and five people and your water usage isn’t unusually high.
What “48,000 grains” means for you
The 48,000-grain rating tells you the total amount of hardness the resin can remove between regenerations if you set the system to use the full capacity. In practical terms, how long that lasts depends on your water hardness and daily water consumption. You can calculate expected days between regenerations by multiplying your hardness (grains per gallon, gpg) by the gallons used per day to get grains removed per day, and dividing 48,000 by that number. This helps you tune regeneration frequency and salt use to your actual needs.
Flow rate and household sizing
The system supports a recommended service flow up to 12 gallons per minute (GPM). That should handle most simultaneous uses—showers and faucets—without a big drop in pressure in average homes. If you have very high-demand fixtures or multiple simultaneous uses beyond typical household patterns, consider verifying peak flow requirements or consulting a pro to make sure you don’t outpace the system.
Purolite C100E resin: what it brings
You’re getting a widely used, high-quality cation exchange resin in the Purolite C100E, which is made in the USA. This resin is proven for efficient hardness removal and generally has good longevity when maintained properly.
Resin efficiency and longevity
The C100E resin is known for robust performance in standard water softener applications. How long it lasts depends on water quality, chlorine presence (chlorine can damage resin over time), and whether proper regeneration and salt quality are used. Regular maintenance and keeping an eye on chlorine or oxidants will help you get the maximum life from the resin.
Resin care recommendations
You should avoid exposing the resin to oxidizers (like strong chlorine or peroxide levels) without proper pre-treatment, and you should use quality salt to avoid scale or bridging in the brine tank. The included hardness test strips let you monitor performance; if you see hardness breakthrough, it’s a signal to check salt levels, regeneration settings, or to test the resin condition.
Upflow carbon filtration: design and benefits
The upflow carbon tank uses 1.5 cu ft of high-activity coconut shell carbon. Because it’s an upflow design, the carbon stage doesn’t require backwashing; instead, water enters from the tank bottom and moves upward through the media. This can be a big convenience compared to traditional downflow carbon filters that need periodic backwash and a drain.
Why upflow matters to you
You won’t need a drain line or additional electrical power for the carbon stage because it doesn’t backwash. That simplifies installation in places where providing a drain or additional wiring would be difficult. Also, because upflow reduces channeling and keeps the carbon in better contact with water flow for certain conditions, it can be efficient at removing chlorine and similar contaminants.
Contaminants reduced
The carbon targets chlorine and chloramines, many volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pesticides, herbicides, MTBE, THMs, and various tastes and odors. While carbon is broad-spectrum for organics and taste/odor control, it won’t remove dissolved minerals that cause hardness—that’s still the resin’s job.
Installation: what to expect
If you’re reasonably handy with plumbing, you can install this system yourself following the included manual, and the package includes silicone lubricant and test strips to help. The Fleck 5600SXT valve has a lot of online support and established installation patterns, so you’ll find tutorials and troubleshooting resources if you need them.
Step-by-step highlights
You’ll mount the tanks, plumb inlet and outlet lines, install the brine tank, connect the overflow, program the Fleck 5600SXT with your hardness and regeneration settings, and then perform an initial backwash/regeneration cycle as directed. Because the carbon is upflow and doesn’t require a drain, you avoid installing a drain line for that tank—but the softener backwash and drain still need correct setup unless the softener is also designed for minimal drain.
Tools, time, and skill level
Typical tools include wrenches, Teflon tape or thread sealant for connections, pipe cutters, and possibly flex connectors. Expect a few hours for a careful DIY install if you have prior plumbing experience. If you’re not comfortable with household plumbing or local codes require a licensed plumber, it’s sensible to hire a pro.
Programming the Fleck 5600SXT valve
You’ll appreciate the Fleck 5600SXT’s meter-based programming; it regenerates based on your actual water use, which can conserve salt and water compared to time-clock systems.
How demand regeneration helps you
Because the valve tracks flow and triggers regeneration only when needed, you won’t waste salt on scheduled regenerations when water use is low. This often translates into lower operating costs and fewer maintenance cycles, so the system runs more efficiently over time.
What to set and monitor
You’ll input your water hardness (gpg), desired reserve capacity, and current time. The meter automatically counts gallons and triggers regeneration when the preset capacity is used. Periodically check settings, salt level, and test softened water with the provided strips to ensure everything’s running as expected.
Maintenance and operating costs
You’ll have some ongoing costs: salt for regeneration, occasional resin or carbon replacement eventually, and periodic checks for leaks or mechanical wear. The system’s upflow carbon reduces some maintenance complexity by eliminating backwash for the carbon stage, but both tanks still require occasional attention.
Salt consumption expectations
Salt usage depends heavily on your household’s water hardness and consumption. You can estimate salt needs by calculating the grains removed per day and known salt efficiency settings on your system. Instead of giving a single definitive number that could mislead, it’s best to use your local water hardness and family water use to calculate salt usage and then monitor actual consumption over a few regeneration cycles to refine expectations.
Carbon and resin replacement timelines
Carbon lifespan varies by the contaminant load—if your water has heavy chlorine or a lot of organic contaminants, carbon will exhaust sooner. Typical lifespan can range from a few years to a decade depending on water quality; testing breakthrough (taste, smell, or lab tests) will indicate when to replace carbon. Resin can last many years if kept away from oxidants and maintained properly; annual checks and possibly an occasional resin cleaner will extend its life.
Pros and cons
You’ll want a balanced look at strengths and limitations so you can decide if this package aligns with your priorities.
Pros
- Complete package: includes softener, carbon filter, installation manual, test strips, and support.
- High-capacity 48,000-grain softener suited for many households.
- Upgraded USA-made Purolite C100E resin for reliable softening.
- Upflow carbon needs no backwash—no drain line or electrical supply for that stage.
- Fleck 5600SXT meter valve offers demand-initiated regeneration for efficiency.
- Warranties: Fleck valve 5 years, tanks 10 years.
- NSF-approved parts and media assembly (manufacturer statement).
Cons
- Carbon lifetime varies; if your water has very heavy contaminant loads, you’ll need more frequent replacement.
- Some plumbing skill or a professional installer is recommended if you’re not experienced.
- The softener still requires a drain for brine discharge unless you use a specialized plumbing setup—so plan for drain access.
- Upfront cost for a whole-house system can be higher than point-of-use options.
Real-world performance expectations
You can expect noticeably softer water for bathing, laundry, and dishwashing, less scale buildup on fixtures and appliances, and improved soap behavior. The carbon stage should substantially reduce chlorine taste and odor, and reduce many organic contaminants that affect water aesthetics.
How fast you’ll notice results
Softening effects are immediate once the system is in service; softened water will feel different right away. Carbon filtration effects like reduced chlorine odor are also immediate, though the full benefit for some organic contaminant reduction depends on contact time and media saturation levels.
Measuring success
Use the included hardness strips to verify the softener is removing hardness. For carbon performance, sensory changes (taste and smell) are common indicators; for specific contaminant removal (like MTBE or THMs) you can run lab tests before and after installation to quantify improvements.
Who is this system best for?
You’ll find this unit works well for homeowners who want a combined softening and general whole-house filtration solution without complex maintenance for the carbon stage. It’s particularly suited to families of 2–5 people with moderate hardness and standard water usage patterns who want both scale reduction and chlorine/organic removal in one package.
When to consider alternatives
If you have very high flow demands, deep well water with specific contaminants (like high iron, hydrogen sulfide, or bacteria), or if you need advanced disinfection (UV) or specific contaminant removal (e.g., nitrate, fluoride), you may need supplementary or different filtration stages. A water test will guide whether you need additional pre-treatment or specialized media.
Troubleshooting common issues
If you see hardness in tap water, salt bridging in the brine tank, or unusual tastes, there are straightforward checks and fixes you can perform.
Hardness breakthrough
First confirm the Fleck valve’s settings and that salt levels are adequate. Test soft water at the outlet and at different points. If the resin is old or damaged by oxidizers, performance may decline and resin replacement or cleaning might be needed.
Salt bridging and mushing
Salt bridges (a hard crust) form when salt and moisture create an arch, preventing proper brine draw. You can gently break the bridge with a broom handle or similar tool and check that the brine tank is dry and free of excessive debris. Using high-quality salt and keeping the brine tank clean helps prevent this.
Carbon taste/odor concerns
If the carbon becomes exhausted, you’ll notice chlorine odor or taste returning. If your home has sudden taste changes, confirm that the carbon tank is properly plumbed and hasn’t been bypassed or compromised. Carbon replacement or reactivation (replacement is typical) will restore performance.
Cost considerations and value
You’ll pay for the initial purchase and installation (if you hire a pro) plus ongoing salt and eventual media replacement. The combined softener and carbon in one package is often more economical and space-efficient than buying separate systems piecemeal.
Long-term value
By preventing scale and improving water quality, you’re likely to see longer appliance life, better detergent performance, and improved plumbing longevity. Those savings and the convenience of whole-house treatment often justify the purchase for many homeowners.
Comparison to alternatives
It helps to know how this system compares with other common options so you can assess fit.
Vs. softener-only systems
A softener-only setup removes hardness but leaves chlorine and organics. With this combined package, you get both scale prevention and improved water aesthetics and safety from carbon filtration, which is a meaningful upgrade for homes with municipal chlorinated water.
Vs. salt-free systems
Salt-free or template-assisted crystallization systems condition scale but don’t remove hardness minerals. If your goal is true softness (no hardness minerals), the AFW softener package will meet that need; salt-free systems are less effective at delivering the same feel and effects as ion-exchange softening.
Vs. point-of-use filters
Point-of-use carbon filters (like under-sink or pitcher filters) treat water at a single tap. The AFW whole-house package treats all water entering the home, giving you softened, filtered water at every tap and in appliances—something point-of-use options don’t provide.
Warranty, support, and documentation
The Fleck valve carries a 5-year warranty and the tanks have a 10-year warranty, which gives you confidence in the core components. The package includes installation documentation and access to technical support, so you’re not left guessing if you run into an installation or programming question.
Using technical support
You can use the manual for straightforward tasks but calling or emailing technical support helps for unusual plumbing scenarios or when fine-tuning valve programming. Keep receipts and serial numbers handy in case warranty service or part replacement becomes necessary.
Frequently asked questions
You’ll likely want answers to common practical questions before committing.
Will the carbon remove all contaminants?
Carbon removes many organics, chlorine, chloramines (to some extent dependent on carbon type and contact time), tastes and odors, and many VOCs. It doesn’t remove dissolved minerals (hardness), or necessarily remove all metals, microbes, or specific inorganic contaminants like nitrates without additional media or treatment.
How often will the carbon need to be replaced?
That depends on contaminant load and water usage. You should monitor taste/odor and have periodic lab tests if precise removal is critical. Heavier contamination means shorter life; lighter municipal chlorine loads could mean years of service before replacement.
Is electricity required?
The Fleck valve itself is an electrically powered meter/display, so it needs a low-voltage transformer to operate. The upflow carbon stage doesn’t require electricity because it doesn’t backwash. Confirm you have access to a standard outlet for the valve transformer.
Final recommendation
If you want a combined whole-house hard water solution plus effective carbon filtration with an easy-to-use meter valve, this AFW Filters Built Fleck 5600SXT package gives you a robust, practical setup. You’ll get immediate soft water benefits combined with improved taste and odor control and reduced organics, and you’ll appreciate the convenience of the upflow carbon design for simplified maintenance.
You should choose this system if you want:
- True ion-exchange softening (no compromise in softness).
- Whole-house chlorine and organic reduction.
- A setup that’s supported by a widely used Fleck control valve and quality resin.
- Simpler carbon maintenance without backwash drain requirements.
If you’re unsure about specific contaminants in your water or you have unusual water demands, get a comprehensive water test before purchasing so you can confirm whether any additional pre-treatment or post-treatment is needed. With the right sizing and maintenance, this system can become a dependable part of your home’s water infrastructure and give you noticeably better water throughout your house.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.