Not Sure If This Starter System Is Right?If your water test shows iron above 0.3 ppm, you probably need an iron filter too. If it shows bacteria, you may need UV. Aidan will review your results and tell you exactly what you need. If a bigger or smaller package makes more sense, he will point you there. No pressure, no upsell.
✓ Free shipping to all lower 48 states (ships freight on pallet)
✓ Fill funnel for carbon and resin
✓ 7-day expert support from Aidan at 800-460-5810
Carbon Filter
Model
Clack C1190 Non-Backwashing Upflow
Media
Granular Activated Carbon, 1.5 cu ft
Tank
10" x 54" Vortech (gravel-free)
Removes
Chlorine, taste, odor, VOCs, organics
Media Life
~3 to 5 years (full bed replacement)
Electricity
None required
Drain
None required
Water Softener (48,000 Grain)
Model
Fleck 5600SXT Electronic Demand
Resin
10% crosslink, 1.5 cubic feet
Tank
10" x 54" Vortech (gravel-free)
Salt Tank
18" x 33" with safety float
Service Flow
Up to 10 GPM continuous
Bypass
1" stainless steel, pre-installed
Power Backup
48-hour capacitor
Sediment Pre-Filter
Housing
4" x 20" Big Blue
Cartridge
5-micron sediment (included)
Replacement
Every 3-6 months depending on sediment load
All tanks and valves made in the USA. 5-year valve warranty, 10-year tank warranty on all systems.
Call before you install. Aidan walks every customer through placement and plumbing over the phone. Call 800-460-5810 with your basement or utility room layout.
Installation Order (From Well to House)
Pressure tank (your existing tank)
Sediment filter (Big Blue housing)
Carbon filter (no power, no drain)
Water softener (requires 120V outlet + drain line)
Electrical Requirements
Only the water softener needs power. You need 1 available 120V outlet in your utility area. The carbon filter and sediment filter are fully passive, requiring no electricity at all.
Drain Requirements
Only the water softener needs a drain line for regeneration. Route 1/2" tubing to a floor drain, utility sink, or outside (max 20 feet). The carbon filter does not backwash and needs no drain.
Outlet Count
You need 2 outlets total: one for the softener's drain and one for its power cord. The carbon filter connects inline with no drain or power. This is the simplest multi-system install we offer.
Space Planning
Plan for roughly 4-5 linear feet of wall space. The two tanks (carbon filter and softener) are each about 10 inches in diameter. The Big Blue housing mounts vertically and is compact. This system fits in tight utility areas.
Time Estimate
Most homeowners finish in 3-5 hours. This is the simplest multi-system install because only one system needs power and a drain. Aidan is on the phone at 800-460-5810 to walk through every step.
Sediment Filter Every 3-6 months
Replace the 5-micron cartridge when flow drops or it looks dirty. Unscrew the housing with the included wrench, swap the cartridge, and reinstall. Takes 5 minutes.
Carbon Filter Every 3-5 years
Replace the granular activated carbon bed about every 3 to 5 years as it is gradually consumed. No annual top-up, no salt, no chemicals. See the complete carbon filter guide for media details.
Water Softener Monthly salt check
Keep the brine tank at least 1/4 full with salt. Most homes go through a 40 lb bag every 4-8 weeks. The Fleck 5600SXT regenerates automatically based on your water usage.
That is it. Three systems, three simple maintenance tasks. Questions? Call or text 800-460-5810, available 7 days a week.
You save $690.00 when purchased as a complete system
Video Guides
Watch our well water treatment guides has 32 years of industry experience.
Complete Guide to Well Water Filtration Systems
Best Sediment Filter for Well Water
Acid Neutralizer for Well Water: The Complete Guide
Best Water Softener for Well Water
Why Start With a 3-Stage System?
Cleaner-Tasting, Softer Water Without Overbuying
If your water test shows good pH and no iron but you have bad taste and odor plus hard water, you do not need a 4 or 5-stage system. This package handles two of the most common well water complaints in the correct treatment order: filter the taste and odor first, then soften.
The carbon filter removes free chlorine, disinfection byproducts, VOCs, and the earthy or musty taste and odor that make well water unpleasant to drink. It needs no electricity and no drain, so it just sits in line and works. The water softener then removes the hardness minerals that cause scale buildup, soap scum, and dry skin. Together they turn hard, off-tasting well water into clean, soft, great-tasting water throughout your home.
All media is included. All valves are professional-grade. And if you ever need to add iron removal, an acid neutralizer, or UV sterilization, every stage connects inline with standard 1-inch connections. Start simple. Add later if needed.
✔3-Stage System
✔Filters Taste, Odor + Hardness
✔All Media Included
✔Free Shipping
✔5 to 10 Year Warranties
✔7-Day Expert Support
✔Made in USA
Feature
Our System
Others
System Design
✔
3 Matched Stages in Correct Order
Generic All-In-One Cartridge
Carbon Filtration
✔
1.5 CF GAC Non-Backwashing
Thin Carbon Cartridge
Softener Capacity
✔
48,000 Grain / 10% Crosslink
24-32K / Standard 8% Resin
Softener Valve
✔
Fleck 5600SXT Demand-Based
Timer-Based (Wastes Salt)
Sediment Pre-Filter
✔
Big Blue 5-Micron Included
Extra Cost Add-On
Expert Support
✔
7-Day Phone + Text + Email
Limited or None
Warranty
✔
5-Year Valves + 10-Year Tanks
1-Year Limited
System Design
✅ Us3 Matched Stages in Correct Order
❌ ThemGeneric All-In-One Cartridge
Carbon Filtration
✅ Us1.5 CF GAC Non-Backwashing
❌ ThemThin Carbon Cartridge
Softener Capacity
✅ Us48,000 Grain / 10% Crosslink
❌ Them24-32K / Standard 8% Resin
Softener Valve
✅ UsFleck 5600SXT Demand-Based
❌ ThemTimer-Based (Wastes Salt)
Sediment Pre-Filter
✅ UsBig Blue 5-Micron Included
❌ ThemExtra Cost Add-On
Expert Support
✅ Us7-Day Phone + Text + Email
❌ ThemLimited or None
Warranty
✅ Us5-Year Valves + 10-Year Tanks
❌ Them1-Year Limited
✔ Got a Question About Your System?
Whether you need help with installation, valve programming, calcite refills, or troubleshooting, Aidan is available 7 days a week. Real answers from someone who has been doing this for 29+ years.
📞 Call Us800-460-5810
✉️ Email Supportsupport@midatlanticwater.net
🕒 Live Hours7 days a week, 8am-5pm Eastern
Frequently Asked Questions
Not if your water test shows low or zero iron. Many wells have taste, odor, and hardness problems without significant iron. That is exactly what this system is built for. If your test does show iron above 0.3 ppm, call Aidan at 800-460-5810 and he will recommend a system that includes iron removal.
Yes. This system is designed so you can add an iron filter or an acid neutralizer before the carbon filter, or a UV sterilizer at the end of the line. All of our systems use standard 1-inch connections. You do not have to replace anything you already have installed.
The 48,000-grain softener and 1.5 cubic foot carbon filter are sized for homes with up to 4 bathrooms and normal water usage. If you have a larger home or very high water demand, call us and we will confirm the sizing. Most homes fit comfortably within this system's capacity.
Yes. With only 3 systems (and only 1 that needs power and a drain), this is the easiest multi-system install we offer. Plan 3-5 hours. Aidan walks customers through the full installation over the phone, 7 days a week at 800-460-5810.
Three things: salt for the softener (a 40 lb bag every 4-8 weeks), a sediment cartridge swap every 3-6 months, and a carbon bed replacement about every 3-5 years. Day to day there is almost nothing to do.
Buying all 3 systems as a package saves $560 compared to purchasing each one separately. Everything ships on the same pallet, arrives at the same time, and is supported by the same expert. We also pre-match the sizing so the carbon filter and softener work together without flow rate bottlenecks.
3-Stage Whole House We...$2,995.00
Why This Starter System Costs More Than a Big-Box Alternative
Professional Components vs. Budget Alternatives
What You Get With Budget Systems
Budget water treatment bundles cut corners where it matters most: timer-based softener valves that waste salt, cheap resin that degrades in a few years, and partial media fills that need immediate topping off. Most skip the acid neutralizer entirely, leaving your copper pipes to corrode from the inside out even after the water is softened.
Worse, most online sellers offer little to no support after the sale. When you need help programming the valve or figuring out why your pH is still low, there is nobody to call.
The Real Cost Comparison
Budget Softener + Cartridge Filter
$800-1,500
❌Lifespan: Fails in 3-4 years
❌Result: Frequent repairs, poor water quality, leaks
❌Support: None
$0.50-0.80/day (frequent replacements, no pH fix)
Best Long-Term Value
Our Starter System
$2,995
✅Lifespan: Lasts 15+ years
✅Result: Done right the first time, peace of mind
✅Support: Lifetime USA Support
$0.27/day over a 30-year system life
These 3 systems cost $3,355 purchased individually. This package saves $360 and ensures everything is properly sized to work together. Over a 30-year system life, the cost works out to about $0.27 per day for treated water throughout your entire home.
What You Get With Our System
This starter system uses the same professional-grade components we have been selling for 29+ years: a Clack C1190 non-backwashing acid neutralizer and a Fleck 5600SXT demand-based water softener. Both tanks are Vortech gravel-free for better flow and easier service. The 10% crosslink resin in the softener lasts 20-30% longer than the standard 8% used in budget packages.
You also get Aidan on the phone 7 days a week. Before the purchase, during installation, and for the life of the system.
Contact Us
800-460-5810
We're here to help.
1-Year Risk-Free Guarantee
The Affordable Starting Point, Backed for Life
If this 3-stage system fails to fix your pH and hardness problems within 30 days of installation, contact us and we will work with you to resolve the issue. Whether that means troubleshooting your setup, adjusting valve programming, replacing a component, or issuing a full refund. No shipping heavy equipment back. No restocking fees.
10,000+Systems Installed
455+Verified Reviews
29+Success Rate
After 29+ years selling and supporting water treatment systems, we know what works for wells with low pH and hard water. This starter system pairs two proven components, an acid neutralizer and a water softener, in the correct treatment order with a sediment pre-filter to protect both.
The Industry "Return Policy" Trap
+
Most online retailers offer a return policy that requires you to ship everything back at your expense. For a multi-system package on a pallet, that is $200-300 in return freight. Then a 15-25% restocking fee on top. It is designed to make returns impractical.
How Our Real Guarantee Works
1
The System Doesn't Fix Your Water
If your water test still shows low pH or hard water after installation, that is on us.
2
You Call Us, We Fix It
We troubleshoot with you: water test results, installation order, valve settings, flow rates. Most issues are resolved with a simple adjustment.
Full Refund, No Hassle
If we cannot resolve the issue, you get a full refund. We handle the logistics. You do not ship anything back.
This is what I recommend when someone calls with a well that has low pH and hard water but no iron problem. You do not need a 4 or 5-stage system if iron is not in the picture. Start here, get your water right, and add stages later if you ever need them. Call me with your water test and I will confirm this is the right fit.