A cartridge captures suspended particles such as dirt and sand before they reach the main treatment tank.
For hard-water spots & scale
Stainless Steel Whole Home Softener
Reduce the calcium and magnesium behind hard-water spots and scale. For homes with confirmed hard municipal water.
Swipe or select a thumbnail. Tap an image to enlarge.
Less scale. Softer water.Hardware by Crystal Quest
Base system shown. Softener packages include a separate brine tank.
Supplier model: CQE-WH-01125Compare model specsTreatment details
$2,599.00Equipment only
Free U.S. shipping
Installation and applicable taxes are separate.
Download installation instructions Get your plumber briefHow it works
Follow the water.
See what each stage does. Select a stage to take a closer look.
Water in To your home
Ion-exchange resin replaces calcium and magnesium hardness ions with sodium. Salt in the separate brine tank regenerates the resin; brine is not the normal water path to your home.
The final carbon cartridge polishes the water for taste and odor. Replace it as conditions require; it is not a disinfection stage.
Treatment overview, not a plumbing diagram. Shows the base equipment only; selected add-ons require additional stages. Performance depends on water chemistry, flow and maintenance.
Treatment details & performance information
The softener is the main treatment stage, with a sediment prefilter before it and a carbon-block postfilter after it. A separate brine tank holds the salt used for regeneration.
Reduces calcium and magnesium hardness. Includes sediment and carbon cartridges, but not a SMART filtration tank.
Confirm that performance information applies to your exact model and water conditions.
Standard or Large
Compare model specifications.
Manufacturer specifications for the Standard and Large models. Confirm your home’s peak demand before choosing.
| Specification | Standard | Large |
|---|---|---|
| Crystal Quest model | CQE-WH-01125 | CQE-WH-01126 |
| Main tank media | 1.5 cu. ft. softening resin | 2.0 cu. ft. softening resin |
| Nominal softener capacity | 45,000 grains | 60,000 grains |
| Listed service flow | 9–11 gallons/minute | 10–13 gallons/minute |
| Treatment tank size (diameter × height) | 10 × 54 inches | 12 × 52 inches |
| Brine tank (diameter × height) | 18 × 33 inches | 18 × 33 inches |
| Listed tank space (width × depth × height) | 30 × 20 × 64 inches | 30 × 20 × 62 inches |
| Listed pipe connection | 1 inch | 1 inch |
| Treatment tank finish | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Automatic control | Timed regeneration | Timed regeneration |
| Pre- & postfilter cartridges | 20-inch sediment + carbon block | 20-inch sediment + carbon block |
Source: Crystal Quest model specifications ↗
Listed service flow is not a guarantee of pressure at every fixture. Your plumber checks peak demand, incoming pressure and pipe size.
Usable softening capacity and regeneration frequency depend on hardness, water use, salt dose and settings.
The listed space includes the softener and brine tank. Have your plumber allow additional room for cartridge housings, plumbing and service access. Crystal Quest lists a 35–60 psi operating range for these softener models.
Installation requirements
-
A protected indoor location
Allow room around the tanks, control heads and cartridge housings for service. Protect the system from sunlight, weather and freezing.
-
An outlet within reach
The automatic controls need power. The manual calls for a nearby 110-volt outlet and says not to use an extension cord.
-
A suitable drain
Backwashing and softener regeneration discharge water. Your plumber plans the drain connection and sets the cleaning schedule.
-
Safe incoming pressure
The manual calls for a regulator if water pressure, including spikes, could exceed 60 psi. Your plumber confirms the limits for the supplied equipment.
Know what you’re buying
What’s included.
Your equipment package and the costs to plan for separately.
Included in your package
-
Softener tank + control head
Stainless steel resin tank and control head, plus a separate brine tank for salt.
-
Sediment + carbon cartridges
Prefilter and postfilter with housings, alongside the softener.
-
Leak-detection shutoff valve
The CQE-PT-03064 valve is part of this Clearhouse package.
Budget for these separately
- Your plumber’s labor and installation quote
- Any extra plumbing parts or site work
- Applicable taxes
- Softener salt and future replacement cartridges or resin
Get a complete installation quote before ordering.
Two sizes. One clear next step.
Choose your size.
Softener size depends on both hardness and water use. More people, harder water or simultaneous showers can change the right fit.
Lower water demand.
A 1.5 cu. ft. resin tank. Start here for moderate use, then have your plumber check your hardness and required flow.
Higher water demand.
A 2.0 cu. ft. resin tank. Consider it for more water use or a higher hardness load, with your plumber’s confirmation.
Your plumber confirms peak flow, pressure, hardness and space. Larger homes and shared plumbing need individual review.
Installation
Picture it in your home.
A clean, organized setup at your main water line. Your licensed plumber plans the connections and service access for your space.
Installation instructions
Your system. Your plumber.
Share your equipment brief and manual with a licensed plumber. Confirm the fit and get a separate installation quote before you order.
Straight from the manufacturer
Manuals & manufacturer documents
Share these with your plumber. Follow the instructions supplied with your exact equipment.
Manufacturer PDFInstallation & owner’s manualPlumbing diagrams, control setup, maintenance and the manufacturer’s limited warranty terms.Open PDF
Manufacturer PDFLeak-detector valve manualSetup and operating instructions for the shutoff valve included in our package.Open PDF
Manufacturer websiteFull product specificationsReview Crystal Quest’s product listing, model options and technical details.View manufacturer page
Simple upkeep
Maintenance & replacement
Keep the system. Refresh the parts that do the work. Here’s what to plan for.
Replace the two cartridges
Change the sediment prefilter and carbon postfilter. Replace sooner if flow drops or your water conditions require it.
Check the softener salt
Check the brine tank and top up salt as needed. Salt use depends on hardness, water use and the regeneration settings.
Service the softener resin
Crystal Quest estimates about 10–15 years with proper maintenance. Water conditions and performance may require earlier resin replacement.
Automatic backwashing or regeneration does not eliminate cartridge changes or eventual media replacement.
Care for the stainless steel finish. Wipe off condensation and keep salt away from the steel surfaces. Crystal Quest notes that persistent moisture, high humidity and salt exposure can cause rust or pinholes. Ask your plumber to confirm a suitable location.
Schedules & manufacturer sources
The whole-house manual recommends 12–18 months for pre- and postfilters. The individual sediment listing estimates 18–24 months for CQE-RC-04015. Follow your system manual and installer’s advice; actual service life depends on water quality and usage.
Follow the shutoff, pressure-release and flushing instructions. Your plumber can handle the change if you prefer.
Keep the choice simple
A filter and softener do different jobs.
Choose the treatment that matches your water and existing equipment.
For taste, odor & sediment filtration
Stainless Steel Whole Home Filter
Everyday filtration. A starting point for chlorine taste, odors and sediment.
Care: cartridges and media. No softener salt.
From $2,699.00
View system
You’re viewing this system
Stainless Steel Whole Home Softener
Hardness reduction. For scale control, on its own or with your existing filter.
Care: salt refills, cartridges and resin.
From $2,599.00
Choose your size
For filtration + hardness control
Stainless Steel Whole Home Filter + Softener
Both jobs together. SMART filtration plus a separate salt-based softener.
Care: cartridges, media, resin and salt refills.
From $4,599.00
View system
Free U.S. shipping on equipment. Plumber installation and applicable taxes are separate.
A few useful answers
Before you order.
Is this the right system for my home?
Consider this if you have confirmed hard municipal water and want to reduce scale. Test incoming hardness, then have your plumber confirm the capacity, flow and setup. Shared plumbing and private wells need an individual review.
Do I need a water softener?
A softener is optional, even if your report shows hard water. Choose it if scale and water feel matter to you. Confirm hardness at your home before buying or setting the system up.
Is installation included in the price?
No. Hire and pay your own licensed plumber. Equipment ships free within the U.S.; installation, site-specific parts and taxes are separate.
What ongoing maintenance should I expect?
Check salt monthly. Replace cartridges every 12–18 months, or sooner if needed. Maintain the brine tank and controls; service resin as needed.
Will it remove everything in my water report?
No. Check exact-model performance for your concerns. A utility report is not a test of your tap.
How does the softener use salt?
The resin does the softening. During regeneration, brine made from salt and water restores the resin’s ability to capture hardness minerals. The system then rinses before returning to service. Check the brine tank regularly and use the salt recommended in the manufacturer’s care instructions.
How do grain capacity and water flow differ?
Grain capacity describes how much hardness the resin can remove between regenerations. GPM describes water flow through the system. A home with very hard water may need more softening capacity even if its peak flow is modest. Both numbers matter when choosing a size.
What does the automatic control do?
The control head schedules backwashing or softener regeneration so the tank can clean or restore its media. Crystal Quest lists a timed valve as the base configuration and a metered valve as an upgrade. Our listed packages do not include that upgrade. Your installer sets the controls for your water and usage.
What warranty information should I review?
The manufacturer’s whole-house manual describes a one-year limited warranty for defects in materials and workmanship, with component-specific terms. Routine cartridge replacement is excluded unless the cartridge is defective on receipt. Review the full terms in the owner’s manual and confirm coverage for the supplied package before ordering. Open PDF
Where can I see the technical details?
Supplier model: CQE-WH-01125 · Standard
Compare sizes, flow and dimensions in the model specifications above. Compare model specs
Start with your home
Unsure which water system fits?
Tell us about your water and home. We’ll suggest a starting system and explain the fit.