Next ScaleStop

[milehigh5]

My builder says I need to get a softener using Next Scalestop technology.
What is it, how does it work, is it for real ? thanks for your help.

[greg-cws]

I haven't used it myself yet, but it definitely holds promise.

Links to the manufacturer's information site:-
http://www.nextfiltration.com/next-ScaleStop.html

Some of my colleagues have used it and report reasonable success. Ion, have you tried it yet ?

[ion_avenger]

I have used it, and had generally good results.

Doesn't test soft witha Hach 5B kit, but customers say they do need to clean less compared to before the system was installed.

[SteveF]

Gentleman,

Please note that Next ScaleStop is not a salt-less softener. We do not believe that such a product will ever exist. ScaleStop is a scale control technology. It can be sold very effectively to residential customers as long as you understand it, and deliver a proper set of expectations. It is only sold by water professionals, most of who also sell softeners. The key is to understand the benefits and limitations and determine if this is a good choice for your customer. It is not a panacea, however, dealers throughout North America will tell you that it works and fits well in a product line. Ask your best suppliers for it, but please do not call it a softener. It is a water conditioner designed to control scale and meet the needs of the growing "green" trend.

[greg-cws]

Hi Steve

Thanks for your candid reply. It's rare to see a manufacturer who is so honest & forthright about their product.

Does this technology help with soap consumption at all ?

Best regards

Greg

[SteveF]

Greg,

I appreciate your kind words, however, we could not have it any other way. Misleading advertising and comments confuse the market. Giving water professional performance expectations that are unachievable would only have a short-term benefit for the supplier. Water is a long-term business.

ScaleStop is an amazing technology. It also has limitations. In a commercial application is it simple, scale or no scale. Make sure that the chemistry limitations are checked out and install the system. When you are dealing with a homeowner, you now have a subjective consumer to deal with. They or she may be looking for that slippery feeling that she has always had. If this customer is sold ScaleStop, she may never be satisfied. Alternatively, you may have a consumer that only wants to solve the issues with scale and has other concerns about using a softener. Given an accurate set of expectations, this customer should be very happy with ScaleStop.

We constantly get reports of very happy customers. They do report that soaps lather better. We also recommend that detergents used in cleaning can be reduced by as much as 50%. ScaleStop does reduce the interference with soaps, especially the more modern, surfactant based soaps. Long time professionals have reported this to be about 65% as good as a softener when it comes to the affect on soap. Personally, we do not believe that this can be accurately quantified as the overall chemistry will have an effect, and this varies from place to place. On the contrary, we also can have problems achieving great results in a dishwasher where the hardness is very high (20 or more gpg). Some detergents work against what ScaleStop is trying to do and at higher hardness levels the results in the dishwasher can be less than desirable. Changing to a simple detergent and adding a rinse aid may be necessary. Dishwashers are having problems in naturally soft waters lately due to the small amounts of water used.

We call ScaleStop the dealer friendly alternative. We only sell through dealers for residential applications exclusively. We don

[milehigh5]

Thanks for the advice guys ~ I apreciate it

[georgiapeach]

Hiya

Did that system work for you?

I'm evaluating a rainsoft system and want to look at other options to make sure I'm getting a good deal.

[greg-cws]

I'm VERY impressed with the ScaleStop product !

It's not a softener, but works very well at preventing scale buildup and protecting appliances.

What are you looking for in a softener, is it primarily the scale prevention, or do you also want the benefits of soap saving/laundry etc... ?

[db4thrill]

Hey Greg, Ion_avenger, & Steve F, I'm new here but have been considering the Next ScaleStop as a scale buildup solution. My primary goal is to prevent our new fixtures and mostly glass shower (lots of new remodel work) from being ruined by scale, lime, etc. I've looked at many softeners but would prefer to avoid the salt, water waste, and elec usage associated with most offerings. I also don't have a need/preference for the slippery feel commonly associated with softened water. We live in Southern CA and the water is very hard here as well. I like the 'green' approach provided with this technology, but as you've noted, there are many 'gimmics' out there for sale. Based on what you know, does this system seem legit? They also claim that their process will actually remove existing scale/build up from your pipes, does this seem possible? The regular maintenance cost with this system seem to be a little more than many of the common water softener systems, but it may be worth it in the end. Very interested in scale prevention solutions, and would like a 'green' option if it truly works and isn't crazy expensive.
Anxiously awaiting your reply . . .

Hey 'milehigh5', did you ever get the ScaleStop system, and if so how pleased are you with it?

[Enviroman01]

Steve is right, As a dealer we have to explain that this is not a water softener. I have installed many of these units with only a few complaints. I believe it's not so much the performance of the equipment but the customers expectations. The customer must know exactly what they are getting. I have found that if a customer has had a water softener before they are not satisfied with a scale stop solution. I think they are great when applied to the right customer!


http://www.Houstonwaterman.com

Texas Class III Water Treatment Specialist

[milehigh5]

Hey 'milehigh5', did you ever get the ScaleStop system, and if so how pleased are you with it?

Hi there, I haven't logged on here to the forum for a long time. I got the email update with your questions and just had to chime in.

We did buy the Scalestop system. We've had it for a year and I can say with full confidence that it really does work. Our builder had read about it and we were the first home in the development to get one. Now 6 other houses in the development have Scalestop too. Our water is very hard here and we've seen some of our neighbors who have regular water softeners and others who have nothing as well as those who now have scalestop.

Hard water spots- GONE ! We sometimes get a little powdery buildup that just wipes off.
Soap- My next-door neighbor who has the same system says she's using about half the soap she did before and getting great results. I personally haven't seen a difference with the soap yet.
Dishwasher- We still use jet-dry but our ring at the bottom of the dishwasher isn't crusty like the people who have hard water only.
Taste-We got a carbon filter with the ScaleStop (recommended by Greg) so our water tastes great! No funky soft water taste and no chlorine city water taste either.
Feel-Our water definitely isn't slimy, but it feels somehow different than before. I don't knoe if its the ScaleStop or the Carbon, but I feel somehow "cleaner"...maybe it is all in my mind? :)
Environment- I feel real good knowing that we're protecting the earth and not wasting money on salt or electricity and not discharging beinewater to the sewer every single night
Cost- We did the math and buying our system with the cost of the TAC media stuff that needs to be replaced every three years,we figured it would be about the same price as a softener.

I love my water. In fact I promised Greg that I would put a review down after a year--sorry, life moves too fast. I'll post in the review section also.

ScaleStop - It works great!!!







Hey Greg, Ion_avenger, & Steve F, I'm new here but have been considering the Next ScaleStop as a scale buildup solution. My primary goal is to prevent our new fixtures and mostly glass shower (lots of new remodel work) from being ruined by scale, lime, etc. I've looked at many softeners but would prefer to avoid the salt, water waste, and elec usage associated with most offerings. I also don't have a need/preference for the slippery feel commonly associated with softened water. We live in Southern CA and the water is very hard here as well. I like the 'green' approach provided with this technology, but as you've noted, there are many 'gimmics' out there for sale. Based on what you know, does this system seem legit? They also claim that their process will actually remove existing scale/build up from your pipes, does this seem possible? The regular maintenance cost with this system seem to be a little more than many of the common water softener systems, but it may be worth it in the end. Very interested in scale prevention solutions, and would like a 'green' option if it truly works and isn't crazy expensive.
Anxiously awaiting your reply . . .

Hey 'milehigh5', did you ever get the ScaleStop system, and if so how pleased are you with it?

[ion_avenger]

Right on!
It is not a softener, but it is a awesome scale control device.


Steve is right, As a dealer we have to explain that this is not a water softener. I have installed many of these units with only a few complaints. I believe it's not so much the performance of the equipment but the customers expectations. The customer must know exactly what they are getting. I have found that if a customer has had a water softener before they are not satisfied with a scale stop solution. I think they are great when applied to the right customer!


http://www.Houstonwaterman.com

Texas Class III Water Treatment Specialist

[db4thrill]

All, thanks much for the replies, all info appreciated.
SteveF, I understand and appreciate the honesty in clarification. It certainly seems like the ScaleStop community is very interested in and concerned with ensuring that the full truth be disclosed about the product, and expectations set properly to ensure satisfaction for the customer.
On the note of the 'salt-less' or 'saltfree' system reference, there's another company here locally called "Healing Water Machines". They claim a "salt free softeners", and it appears they're selling Pelican brand "NaturSoft" products, here's their link:
http://www.healingwatermachines.com/products/natursoft_ns3_salt_free_water_softener.php

From reading their info it sounds similar to the ScaleStop system, and it appears to be a WQA Gold Seal product. Here are their claims - zero salt, zero salt water discharge, zero chemicals, cleans the plumbing, etc. Most companies seem to say use of "saltfree" is a 'no-no'.
Anyone heard of these guys or this product? Any experience or known history? How does it compare to ScaleStop?
I'd be interested in all info and opinions so all, feel free to reply.

[ion_avenger]

Their WQA certification is just for mechanical integrity & safety, it doesn't prove that their product works at all. I don't know much about there technology but I see a lot of them here in SoCal and have NEVER met a homeowner who is satisfied.

[SteveF]

Hi all! It has been a long time for me to post to this site as well. Thank you for the link to the recent comments. Just to be fair to those reading this, please note that I am associated with Next Filtration. I have been a water treatment professional for the last 25 years. The founders of Next Filtration have been responsible for pioneering a number of great technologies in the industry, several going back well before my time. Things like the first quick change RO cartridges, the first Spot Free Rinse for Car Wash applications, the first simple SDI measuring device, the first booster pumps that could run dry, the Permeate Pump, blab, blab, blab