Do you have a water softener system?

First of all, an apology to Snowy36 - I actually thought it was a flexible cable.

Furthermore, it is indeed a personal assessment whether and how one perceives the slightly different taste, whether better or worse, whether it can be detected in a blind test or not. Perhaps it is only due to the water here, as supplied by the provider. Therefore, a criterion for or against water softening cannot be generalized to this extent.

Where can one find something about the fact that a water hardness of 8°dH represents a sweet spot, below which hardly any more advantages regarding lime precipitation can be expected?

Where can something about this be found

In my thesis. But there is an NDA on it.

below which hardly any more advantages regarding lime precipitation are to be expected?

According to WRMG, water < 1.5 mmol/l CaCO3 is initially soft; softer in terms of the WRMG does not exist initially. Of course, you can further reduce the hardness formers in the blend water, gladly as long as you reach 0°dH. Accompanied by expenses and effects that I have already described. What advantage do you expect from a complete softening?

Tell me, has anyone heard of aquasain? It's probably just a piece of zinc pipe that is supposed to cause the lime to precipitate in sandy grains and not as limestone. This way it is simply washed away. Can that work?

Piece of zinc pipe

Sacrificial anode effect. Does not really soften the water, but (in theory) prevents coarser lime deposits. What I always miss with such things is a DVGW certificate as proof of compliance with the state of the art and as a declaration of harmlessness. Which would certainly be given with a "sacrifice" of zinc.

At some point while reading, I stopped counting how many times the thread was revived ;-) As a newbie, I have another question: Can anyone present explain to me why the nominal capacity of the Grünbeck softeners is given as a variable value? (SD18: 6-14 m³x°dH, SD21: 8-20 m³x°dH). The range is not insignificant. I am trying to estimate the regeneration frequency (daily, every other day, ...) using our water hardness at the construction site (20°dH), the target hardness (8°dH), the number of people in the household (currently 2, prospectively 4), and the nominal capacity. However, the mentioned range is throwing a wrench in the works. Depending on whether I calculate with the upper or lower limit, everything fits smoothly or the unit would have to regenerate during the day in certain scenarios. Can someone enlighten me?

Since Zweiblum just revived the thread, I'll jump right in :)

We are also currently dealing with the topic of water softeners, and I have now obtained offers from various manufacturers. Now I am trying to compare the offered products, but I can't find any reason why a Grünbeck SD:18 should be worth almost three times the price (~over €3000 without installation). As a cheaper alternative, I see the Alfiltra Basic 60 for ~€1000 without installation. Of course, the Grünbeck is nicer, with an app and other features, but am I overlooking an important point that speaks in favor of the Grünbeck?