Fleck 5600 Metered Softener – Cycle Steps and Times

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fleck 5600 softener cycle

If you have questions about your Fleck 5600 Metered Softener regeneration cycle and the amount of time each step takes, we’ve summarized and provided details below.

Simple Summary

If you only need a 30 second answer, here it is!

A Fleck 5600 Water Softener goes through a Regeneration Cycle every 3-15 days (in CT).

There are 6 steps in the cycle:

  • The Service Position – This is NOT part of the Regeneration Cycle
  • Step 1: Preliminary Slow Rinse (5 minutes)
  • Step 2: Backwash (10 minutes)
  • Step 3: Brine/Slow Rinse (50 minutes)
  • Step 4: Rapid Rinse (10 minutes)
  • Step 5: Settling Rinse (5 minutes)
  • Step 6: Brine Tank Refill (Usually 6 – 16 minutes)

Note: The language on the actual valve may differ, but the steps are the same.

Fleck 5600 Metered Softener Cycle Details

A Fleck 5600 Metered Softener “keeps track” of the gallons that it treats and when it reaches a preset number (programmed by the technician), it will automatically put itself through a “Regeneration Cycle” at 2 am.

When NOT in a cleaning cycle, the system is in a Service Position. This does not mean that it needs service, rather, it means that it is providing you with soft, treated water.

In the Service Position:

  • Untreated (raw) water enters the valve and flows DOWN through the resin.
  • The water is treated as it comes into contact with the resin.
  • The treated water at the bottom enters the riser pipe and flows up through the center tube, around the piston, and into the household plumbing.  
  • When the resin beads get “full”, the Cleaning Cycle will automatically begin at 2 am.

The actual Cleaning Cycle, called a Regeneration, lasts about 75 minutes and consists of:

Step 1: Preliminary Slow Rinse (5 minutes)

Note: The flow rate is based on the drain line flow control button. Usually 2.2 – 3 GPM for homes.

  • Raw water flows down through the resin, up the riser pipe and out to drain.

FACT: During a cleaning cycle or “Regeneration”, the house can use water BUT the water will be untreated (technically, all the way through the Rapid Rinse Stage)

Step 2: Backwash (Usually 10 minutes)

Note: The flow rate is based on the drain line flow control button. Usually 2.2 – 3 GPM for homes

  • Raw water flows DOWN the riser pipe and UP through the resin and out to drain. This lifts the resin and helps to flush and clean any trapped minerals, particles, “gunk” out of the tank. It also helps to fluff up the resin and break up any channeling of the media when it was in the “Service” position.
  • Although the backwash helps to clean the resin and tank, it’s the brine rinse that really scrubs the beads clean.  

Step 3: Brine/Slow Rinse (Usually 50 minutes)

Note: Flow Rate is based on the injector size. For example, a #1 White injector set flows at .476 GPM at 60 psi.

  • Raw water enters the valve, and passes through the nozzle and throat to help create suction.
  • Brine is then sucked from the brine tank, mixes with some raw water and flows DOWN through the resin, UP the riser pipe and OUT to drain.
  • During this brine rinse, the strong brine solution forces the hardness (calcium and magnesium) and iron (ferrous iron) off the resin beads.
  • The beads are now clean and coated with sodium ions
  • FACT: The brine usually enters the tank at .25 or .50 GPM. Slow and steady. SLOWER IS BETTER

Step 4: Rapid Rinse (Usually 10 minutes)

Note:   The flow rate is based on the drain line flow control button. Usually 2.2 – 3 GPM for homes  

  • Raw water enters the valve, flows DOWN the riser pipe, UP through the resin and OUT to drain.
  • This rinses the beads and gets rid of any extra sodium.
  • TIP: If you feel the water is “salty” the rinse might not be long enough.

Step 5: Settling Rinse (Usually 5 minutes)

Note:   The flow rate is based on the drain line flow control button. Usually 2.2 – 3 GPM for homes  

  • Water flows DOWN through the resin, UP through the riser pipe and OUT to drain.
  • This puts the resin back to its normal resting place.

Step 6: Brine Tank Refill (This will vary depending on your salt setting)

Note: Every gallon will dissolve 3 lbs of salt -really it is 2.46. So if you need 12 pounds of salt to be dissolved, you need 4 gallons of water. Your valve will then allow water to flow typically at .50 GPM for  (in this case) 8 minutes. Eight minutes will put 4 gallons of water into your brine tank and dissolve 12 pounds of salt.

FACT: The Brine Tank Refill step is NOT added to the total gallons used for a regeneration.

  • Raw water is diverted into the brine tank
  • The water will dissolve the salt (or potassium chloride)  to get ready for the next cycle
  • FACT: This is called a WET brine tank because you make brine days BEFORE you actually need it.
  • FACT: A DRY brine tank makes brine 90 minutes before you need it (most digital valves do Dry)
  • FACT: Every gallon of water can dissolve 2.48 pounds of salt (we usually round up to 3 lbs)

To learn how to reset the timer and put your Fleck 5600 Metered Softener into a manual regeneration, view our How To videos here.

Fleck 5600 Metered Softener cycle