DuraWater Fleck 5600SXT Iron Blaster 48K Review
Verdict: A Fleck 5600SXT system loaded with fine-mesh resin for well water, with a large separate brine tank. It ranks #4 in our best water softener for well water list.
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| Grain capacity | 48,000 grains* |
|---|---|
| Resin | fine mesh* |
| Resin tank | 10 x 54 in* |
| Brine tank | 14 x 36 in, ~250 lb* |
| Warranty | 60 months* |
* From the seller's Amazon listing; not yet confirmed by the manufacturer.
Unmarked values come from DuraWater's own pages or manuals; values marked * come from the Amazon listing (ASIN B004LYGBWM). Model 5600-SXT-48kFM.
Check price on Amazon ($600–$900)Who the DuraWater Fleck 5600SXT Iron Blaster 48K is for
Well owners who want a serviceable Fleck valve.
Who should skip it
Anyone who needs a stated iron limit to size against.
Pros
- Fleck 5600SXT valve
- Fine-mesh resin for wells
- Large 14 x 36 in brine tank
Cons
- The listing gives no iron limit
- Two-tank footprint
- No pre-filter included
Our take
The Iron Blaster is the Fleck answer for wells. We rank it below the Kenmore 420 because the listing never states how much iron it handles.
Because the listing gives no iron figure, size it against your hardness plus about 4 gpg per ppm of iron, and add a resin cleaner schedule. If your test shows more than a few ppm, ask DuraWater for the rated iron limit before buying; if they can't give one, the Kenmore 420 or EcoPure EP42 state theirs.
The Fleck valve is the reason to choose it: rebuild kits, pistons and seals are sold widely, so a local plumber can service it.
How it compares on paper
- Against the Aquasana SimplySoft 40K: more capacity (48,000* vs 40,000 grains).
- Against the GE Smart Water Softener 35K: more capacity (48,000* vs 35,000 grains).
- Against the Kenmore 350: more capacity (48,000* vs 32,000 grains).
* Seller-listed value, not yet confirmed by the maker; unmarked values are from the manufacturer.
DuraWater Fleck 5600SXT Iron Blaster 48K sizing at a glance
Using the 48,000-grain capacity from the seller listing, here is roughly how many days it runs between regenerations. At 12 gpg, a family of four would regenerate the DuraWater Fleck 5600SXT Iron Blaster 48K about every 10 days, and two people on 18 gpg water about every 14 days; aim for 5–8.
| Household | 8 gpg | 12 gpg | 18 gpg | 25 gpg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 people | 32 | 21 | 14 | 10 |
| 4 people | 16 | 10 | 7 | 5 |
| 6 people | 10 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
Spec score: 4.1/10 (provisional)
| Capacity | 2.3 / 3 — 48,000 grains (64,000 = full marks) |
|---|---|
| Flow | 0 / 3 — not stated |
| Iron handling | 0 / 1.5 — no iron limit stated |
| Value | 1.8 / 2.5 — price band $600-$900 |
What buyers report
Summarised from Amazon buyer reviews; not our own testing.
- Mostly positive comments on quality, installation, water quality and water softness.
- Mixed comments on durability: some buyers are happy, others report problems.
- More complaints than praise about instructions; check this before buying.
Alternatives to the DuraWater Fleck 5600SXT Iron Blaster 48K
- Kenmore 420 (#1): Stated limits for very hard water and iron, plus a sediment pre-filter.
- EcoPure EP42 (#2): Highest stated iron limit.
- Aquasure Harmony 50K Fine Mesh (#3): Fine-mesh resin and pre-filter at a mid price.
- PRO+AQUA 80K (#5): Big wells and big families; low iron limit.
See all our picks in the best water softener rankings, the top three on our best home water softener systems page, or every spec side by side in the water softener comparison table, or more from Fleck. Not sure about size? Use the calculator in our water softener buying guide.
Before you buy: how a water softener works, what water softener installation involves, the full cost of running a softener and the maintenance it needs. On a private well? See our water softener for well water picks.