Watercat Cube - Descaling system recommendation / experiences?

The maintenance steps are in the manual. They consist of visual inspections and light cleaning tasks (rinsing the filter etc) as well as a measurement of the water hardness (anyone can do that, a few euros). Function test. Done. This is justified by a DIN standard and the fear of contamination. Well, everyone has to decide for themselves.

I have to ask stupidly, is it really easy? We wanted to have it done within the first 5 years, then see.

I have to ask stupidly, is it really easy? We wanted to have it done within the first 5 years, then see

Just book it once and stand next to it. An acquaintance later threw the great maintenance contract against the company (but he also has the heat pump checked annually by a professional, for whatever reason). But random inspections shape our country from start to finish – but I digress.
Under no circumstances would I commit to any random “maintenance” for five years in advance. What’s the benefit of that commitment? These are brand-new devices; if they are defective, you can make a claim. You can have it serviced when the risk of failure actually lies with you. Moreover, although these plastic buckets with pumps and salt containers cost a cheeky 1500€, that is still an amount that, in my opinion, you don’t need to fully insure with a maintenance contract. (Although parts probably cost extra again?). But that’s something everyone has to decide for themselves.

This is justified by a DIN and the fear of contamination. Well, everyone has to know that for themselves.

The installation and operation of a water softening system is a significant intervention in the drinking water network and may only be carried out by registered installers according to § 12(2) AVBWasserV. Everyone really has to know that for themselves.
Regarding the fear of contamination: The exchange surface of a softening system is between 40 and 60 m². For germs and microbiology, an enormous surface; if something sneaks in there due to unclean and improper work, even the chlorine cell won't be able to get rid of it quickly anymore.

Quite clear: The water tastes salty.

The name says it all. NaCl tastes salty. But since only Na is exchanged against Ca and Mg, it may be that the water tastes different. But never salty.

The name says it all. NaCl tastes salty. But since only Na is exchanged for Ca and Mg, it may be that the water tastes different. But never salty.

Maybe the sodium reacts with the chloride contained in the drinking water. Is there anything chemically against that?

Maybe the sodium reacts with the chloride contained in the drinking water. Is there anything chemically speaking against that?

Yes. The exchange of the hardness formers (Mg, Ca) for sodium occurs stoichiometrically. The compounds previously occupied by Mg and Ca, into which these sodium ions are introduced, are and remain stable. The exchange itself happens based on affinity and not because of an assumed surplus of sodium. Therefore, no excess/free sodium ions remain that could react in any way with any chloride present.

The information on the internet rather suggests that salty-tasting water is caused by incorrect backwashing during regeneration. So simply a faulty condition.