Water Softener Programming Settings Calculator
Most water softener problems come from incorrect programming, not faulty equipment. The hardness number is the most important setting: set it too low and you get hard water breakthrough, set it too high and you waste salt. This calculator gives you the exact values to program into your Fleck 5600SXT, Clack WS1, GE, Whirlpool, or any other residential water softener. Enter your water test results and household size below.
Regeneration Settings Calculator
Enter your softener model and water conditions to get the correct programming settings.
Your Programming Settings
Fleck 5600SXT Settings
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Hardness Number | 10 |
| Regeneration Type | Metered (recommended) |
| Regen Time | 2:00 AM (default) |
| Day Override | Every 7 days |
| Salt Dose | 16 lbs |
| Backwash Time | 10 minutes |
| Brine Draw | 60 minutes |
| Slow Rinse | 10 minutes |
| Fast Rinse | 10 minutes |
| Brine Refill | 10 minutes |
Salt Usage Summary
16 lbs
per regeneration
every 7 days
regeneration frequency
1.7 bags
per month (40-lb bags)
Programming Tips
- Metered regeneration is always recommended over timed. It regenerates based on actual water usage, saving salt and water.
- 2:00 AM regeneration is the standard default because water usage is lowest at night.
- Weekly maximum: Even if your softener has capacity for longer intervals, regenerate at least every 7 days to prevent bacteria growth in the resin bed.
How to Program a Fleck 5600SXT
The Fleck 5600SXT is the most popular residential water softener valve sold in North America. Programming it correctly takes about 5 minutes. Here is the process:
- Hold the Set/Change buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds to enter programming mode. The display will flash.
- Set current time: Use the up/down arrows to set the current time of day. Press Set to confirm.
- Set hardness number: Enter your effective hardness (water hardness GPG + iron PPM x 5). This is the most critical setting.
- Set regeneration type: Choose "Metered Delayed" for demand-initiated regeneration at a set time (recommended), or "Metered Immediate" for regeneration as soon as capacity is reached.
- Set regeneration time: Default is 2:00 AM. Only change this if someone regularly uses water at that hour.
- Set day override: The maximum number of days between forced regenerations. Set to 7 days maximum.
- Cycle times: Leave at defaults (10-60-10-10-10 minutes) unless your installer specified otherwise.
After programming, the valve will run a manual regeneration to verify settings. Let it complete the full cycle (about 90 minutes) before using water.
Metered vs Time-Initiated Regeneration
Every water softener offers two regeneration modes. The choice between them affects salt usage, water waste, and whether you ever get hard water breakthrough.
Metered (Recommended)
- Tracks actual water usage with a flow meter
- Regenerates only when resin capacity is depleted
- Saves 30-50% on salt compared to timed
- Adapts to changes in water usage automatically
- Standard on Fleck 5600SXT, Clack WS1, SoftPro
Time-Initiated
- Regenerates on a fixed schedule (e.g., every 3 days)
- Wastes salt if water usage is lower than expected
- Can leave hard water if usage spikes above average
- Simpler mechanism, fewer parts to fail
- Common on older and budget models
If your softener supports metered regeneration, always use it. The only exception is if the flow meter fails and you need a temporary fallback until the part is replaced.
Common Programming Mistakes
Not compensating for iron
Iron takes up resin capacity but is not measured in the hardness test. Add 5 GPG for every 1 PPM of iron. If you skip this, the softener will run out of capacity early and pass hard water through.
Setting the day override too high
Even if your softener has enough capacity to go 14+ days between regenerations, never exceed 7 days. Stagnant water in the resin bed promotes bacterial growth, leading to sulfur smell and potential health concerns.
Using hardness in PPM instead of GPG
Some water reports give hardness in mg/L or PPM (parts per million). Divide by 17.1 to convert to GPG (grains per gallon). Entering 200 PPM as "200" on your softener instead of 11.7 GPG will cause massive salt waste.
Regenerating during peak usage hours
During regeneration, your softener bypasses and delivers untreated hard water. Set the regen time to 2:00 AM or another hour when nobody is using water. Regeneration takes 60-90 minutes to complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I program a Fleck 5600SXT water softener?
To program a Fleck 5600SXT: enter your water hardness number (add 5 GPG per PPM of iron), set regeneration type to Metered, set the regeneration time to 2:00 AM, and enter your day override based on capacity and daily usage. The default cycle times (10 min backwash, 60 min brine draw, 10 min slow rinse, 10 min fast rinse, 10 min brine refill) work for most installations. Use the calculator above to get your exact settings.
What is the difference between metered and timed regeneration?
Metered regeneration triggers based on actual water usage, measured by a flow meter on the control valve. Timed regeneration triggers on a fixed schedule regardless of water usage. Metered is always recommended because it saves 30-50% on salt and water by regenerating only when the resin is actually depleted. Timed regeneration wastes salt if you use less water than expected and can leave you with hard water if you use more.
How often should a water softener regenerate?
Most residential softeners regenerate every 2-5 days, depending on water hardness, household size, and grain capacity. A 48,000-grain softener serving a family of 4 with 10 GPG hardness regenerates roughly every 16 days by capacity, but should be set to regenerate at least every 7 days. Regenerating less frequently than once per week risks bacterial growth in the resin bed, even if the resin has remaining capacity.
What hardness number should I set on my water softener?
Set your softener's hardness number to your water's hardness in GPG (grains per gallon) plus a compensation for iron: add 5 GPG for every 1 PPM of iron in your water. For example, if your water test shows 12 GPG hardness and 2 PPM iron, set the hardness number to 22 (12 + 2x5). If you only have hardness in PPM or mg/L, divide by 17.1 to convert to GPG.
What are the correct Clack WS1 programming settings?
The Clack WS1 uses similar settings to the Fleck but with different terminology. Key settings include: Hardness (H), Day Override (DO), Salt Dose / Dosage Level (DL), and cycle times for Backwash (BW), Brine Draw (BD), Rapid Rinse (RR), and Brine Refill (BF). Set the regen mode to Metered Delayed for demand-initiated regeneration at 2:00 AM. The calculator above generates all correct values for your specific water conditions.
Need a New Softener?
Use our sizing calculator to find the right grain capacity for your household, then get exact programming settings here.
Size a Softener Here →Related Guides
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