Pelican NaturSoft® Water Softener Alternative NS3 | NS6
Protects your water heater, pipes and fixtures from hard-water scale, with no salt, no electricity and no drain line. It conditions the water; it doesn't filter it, and test strips will still read "hard."
Ships in 2–3 business days from our Pentair partner. Tracking emailed to you.
- 90 daysSatisfaction guarantee
- No saltNo power or drain line
- 10 yearsTank warranty
Is NaturSoft right for your home?
A great fit if you…
- Are on city (municipal) water
- See white crust on faucets, shower glass or kettles
- Want to protect a water heater, tankless heater or appliances from scale
- Don't want to haul salt, use electricity or waste water
Choose something else if…
- You want the slippery "soft water" feel or test strips that read soft. That takes a salt-based softener: the Carbon + Salt Softener Combo (PAC4/PAC7) filters chlorine too.
- Your main problem is chlorine taste or smell. That's a PC filter tank: the Pelican Premium Filter, or get both with the Filter + NaturSoft combo (PSE1800 = PC600 + NS3, PSE2000 = PC1000 + NS6).
- You're on well water. Call or text us first.
Scale prevention, not hardness removal
Salt softeners remove hardness minerals. NaturSoft leaves them in the water but keeps them from forming scale. That's why test strips still read "hard" after install, and that's expected.
- Sediment prefilter catches sand, silt and rust before they reach the tank. Swap it every 6–9 months.
- NaturSoft conditioning media changes how hardness minerals behave so they're far less likely to stick to pipes, heaters and fixtures as scale. The minerals stay in the water; they just stop building up.
Everything in the box
Specs
| NS3 | NS6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Home size | 1–3 bathrooms | 4–6 bathrooms |
| Flow rate | 10 GPM | 15 GPM |
| Tank diameter | 9" | 11" |
| Pipe size | Fits any pipe size. Most homes are ¾" or 1", and we ask yours after you order. | |
| Operating pressure | 25–80 PSI | 25–80 PSI |
| Water temperature | 36–120°F | 36–120°F |
| Salt, electricity, drain | None | None |
Installation
Most homeowners with basic plumbing skills install it in 1–2 hours. A local plumber also works. Install it where water enters the house, protected from freezing. It fits any pipe size; we'll ask yours after you order.
What upkeep looks like
Questions
Why do test strips still say my water is hard?
That's expected. NaturSoft doesn't remove hardness minerals; it keeps them from forming scale. Hardness test strips measure the minerals, not the scale, so they'll read about the same as before.
Will it remove chlorine?
No. The NS tank is a conditioner, not a filter. For chlorine taste and smell you need a PC carbon filter tank. The Filter + NaturSoft combo gives you both.
What's the difference between PC, NS and PSE?
Those letters name the tank. PC is the carbon filter tank (taste and smell). NS is the NaturSoft salt-free conditioner tank (scale). PF is the fluoride filter tank. PSE is a combo of a PC and an NS tank, always in the same pairs: PSE1800 = PC600 + NS3, and PSE2000 = PC1000 + NS6.
Will I still see some spots?
Possibly. Water spots on glass can still happen as water evaporates. The main job of NaturSoft is to stop scale from building up inside pipes, heaters and fixtures.
Does it work with tankless water heaters?
Tankless heaters are among the appliances most exposed to scale. Call or text us and we'll walk through your setup and the heater manufacturer's requirements.
Full product details
Protect Your Home From Hard Water Scale — Without Salt, Electricity, or a Drain Line
The Pelican NaturSoft® NS3 / NS6 is a whole-house water softener alternative designed to reduce hard-water scale buildup while keeping beneficial minerals in your water.
- Helps protect plumbing, water heaters, fixtures, and water-using appliances from scale buildup.
- Uses salt-free conditioning instead of ion exchange, so calcium and magnesium remain in the water.
- Designed for simple, low-maintenance whole-home operation.
- Choose NS3 for 1–3 bathrooms or NS6 for 4–6 bathrooms.
Is NaturSoft® the Right Fit for Your Home?
This system is best for homeowners who want scale prevention without the salt, maintenance, and feel of a traditional water softener.
Great fit if you want...
- Less scale buildup in plumbing and appliances.
- No salt bags, brine tank, drain line, or regeneration cycle.
- A low-maintenance alternative to salt-based softening.
- Conditioned water that still contains calcium and magnesium.
- A system that can pair with a whole-house carbon filter for chlorine reduction.
Choose a salt softener instead if...
- You need hardness minerals removed from the water.
- You expect hardness test strips to read zero or near-zero.
- You want the slick, slippery feel of traditionally softened water.
- You need the strongest possible spot reduction on glassware or shower glass.
- Your water has untreated iron, manganese, sulfur, or other issues that need separate treatment.
Scale Prevention Is Different From Hardness Removal
Traditional salt softeners remove calcium and magnesium through ion exchange. NaturSoft® takes a different approach: it conditions hardness minerals so they are less likely to attach to surfaces as hard scale.
That distinction matters. Your water can still contain hardness minerals, and a test strip can still show hard water, while the system is still doing its job: helping reduce scale buildup inside the home.
Simple version
Before: hardness minerals can attach to pipes, heating elements, fixtures, and appliances as scale.
After NaturSoft®: minerals remain in the water, but are conditioned to reduce scale formation.
Why Homeowners Choose NaturSoft® Over Salt-Based Softening
If your main goal is scale protection without the hassle of salt, NaturSoft® is built for exactly that. It avoids the most annoying parts of salt softeners while helping protect the parts of your home that suffer from hard-water scale.
- No salt bags to buy, lift, store, or pour.
- No brine tank taking up extra space.
- No drain line or wastewater from regeneration.
- No electricity or programming.
| Feature | NaturSoft® Salt-Free Conditioner | Traditional Salt Softener |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Scale prevention / conditioning | Hardness mineral removal |
| Salt bags | No | Yes |
| Electricity | No | Usually yes |
| Drain line | No | Yes |
| Wastewater regeneration | No | Yes |
| Hardness minerals remain | Yes, conditioned | No, exchanged for sodium or potassium |
| Hardness test reads soft | No | Yes |
| Slippery soft-water feel | No | Yes |
| Maintenance style | Replace sediment filter; refresh media over time as needed | Add salt regularly; maintain brine tank; service valve as needed |
Hard-Water Scale Can Attack the Expensive Stuff First
Scale is not just a cosmetic nuisance. Over time, mineral buildup can collect on heating elements, inside fixtures, around valves, and throughout water-using appliances.
Water Heaters
Scale can build on heating surfaces, making the unit work harder than it should.
Plumbing
Conditioning helps reduce the scale that can accumulate inside pipes and fixtures.
Coffee & Ice
Small appliances and ice makers often show hard-water effects quickly.
Showers & Fixtures
Scale prevention can help reduce crusty buildup around shower heads and faucet outlets.
Dishwashers
Dishwashers are constantly exposed to heated hard water, making scale control valuable.
Washers
Conditioned water supports the appliances that use water every week.
Tankless Heaters
Tankless systems are especially sensitive to scale because water is heated rapidly through narrow passages.
Whole Home
One system treats water as it enters your home, before it reaches the fixtures and appliances downstream.
NS3 or NS6: Pick the Right System for Your Home
The right size is mainly based on bathroom count and household flow demand. When in doubt, choose the larger system for stronger flow capacity.
| Specification | NS3 | NS6 |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended home size | 1–3 bathrooms | 4–6 bathrooms |
| Maximum flow rate | 10 GPM | 15 GPM |
| Tank diameter | 9 inches | 11 inches |
| Connection size | 1 inch | 1 inch |
| Operating pressure | 25–80 PSI | 25–80 PSI |
| Operating temperature | 36–120°F | 36–120°F |
| Salt required | No | No |
| Power required | No | No |
Everything Included for a Proper Whole-House Installation
Your system includes the NaturSoft® conditioning tank plus the required sediment prefilter setup and manufacturer-included installation components.
- NaturSoft® conditioning tank: NS3 or NS6.
- Sediment filter system and wrench.
- Bypass valve and fittings as included by the manufacturer.
- Installation and operation manual.
What Maintenance Will You Actually Have?
One of the biggest reasons homeowners choose NaturSoft® is simplicity. There is no salt to refill, no brine tank to clean, no electrical programming, and no regeneration cycle to manage.
Typical maintenance
- Replace the sediment prefilter as needed, often around every 6–9 months depending on water conditions.
- Refresh the conditioner media over time as performance declines or as your service schedule requires.
- Keep the system protected from freezing and extreme conditions.
Need replacement media later?
Healthier Elements carries replacement media kits for both NS3 and NS6 systems, so long-term ownership is straightforward.
Want chlorine reduction too?
NaturSoft® is for scale prevention. If you also want chlorine taste and odor reduction, pair it with a whole-house carbon filter.
View Whole-House Carbon SystemsBuy With the Right Expectations
NaturSoft® is excellent when you want low-maintenance scale prevention. It is not the same thing as a salt-based softener, and being clear about that upfront helps you choose the right system.
Your water may still test hard
That is normal. NaturSoft® conditions hardness minerals instead of removing them.
Some spotting can still happen
When water evaporates, minerals can still leave deposits on surfaces. Wiping surfaces dry helps.
The main goal is scale control
The system is designed to help protect pipes, water heaters, fixtures, and appliances from hard scale formation.
What Happens After You Order?
The process is straightforward: choose your system size, receive your shipment, install it on the main water line, and start treating water before it reaches the rest of the home.
Choose Size
NS3 or NS6 based on bathrooms and flow needs.
Ships
Most orders ship quickly from available inventory.
Install
Install on the home’s main incoming water line.
Start Up
Follow the included startup instructions.
Enjoy
Conditioned water flows throughout the home.
Pelican & Pentair Specialists Who Help You Buy the Right System
Healthier Elements specializes in Pelican and Pentair whole-house systems and replacement media. That matters when you are trying to choose the right size, understand what salt-free conditioning can and cannot do, or find replacement media years later.
What you get from us
- Support from people who understand Pelican and Pentair systems.
- Help choosing between NS3 and NS6.
- Access to replacement media kits for long-term ownership.
- Clear guidance when a different system would be a better fit.
Salt-Free Conditioner Myths, Cleared Up
“If my water still tests hard, it isn’t working.”
Not true. NaturSoft® does not remove hardness minerals. It conditions them to help reduce scale formation.
“Salt-free means the same thing as soft water.”
No. Salt-free conditioning and salt-based softening are different technologies with different outcomes.
“This should remove chlorine too.”
No. NaturSoft® is for scale prevention. For chlorine reduction, pair it with a whole-house carbon filter.
Questions Homeowners Ask Before Buying
Does NaturSoft® remove hardness minerals?
No. NaturSoft® is a salt-free scale-prevention system. It conditions hardness minerals to help reduce scale formation, but it does not remove calcium and magnesium like a salt-based softener.
Will my hardness test strip show soft water?
Usually no. Because calcium and magnesium remain in the water, a hardness test can still read “hard.” That does not necessarily mean the system is failing.
Will it reduce white spots?
It may help with hard scale buildup, but evaporative spotting can still occur because minerals remain in the water. Wiping surfaces dry after use is still the best way to reduce visible spots on glass and fixtures.
Does it remove chlorine, chemicals, or bad taste?
No. NaturSoft® is for scale prevention. If you want chlorine taste and odor reduction, pair it with a whole-house carbon filter system.
Can I use this with city water?
Yes. It can be used on city water when the water is within the system’s operating requirements.
Can I use this with well water?
Yes, but well water often needs additional testing and pretreatment. Iron, manganese, sulfur, sediment, tannins, or unusual water chemistry should be addressed before the conditioner.
Which size should I choose?
Choose NS3 for 1–3 bathrooms and NS6 for 4–6 bathrooms. If your home has high simultaneous water use, the larger NS6 may be the better choice.
Does it require salt?
No. NaturSoft® does not use salt and does not require salt bags.
Does it need electricity?
No. The system does not require electricity.
Does it need a drain line?
No. NaturSoft® does not backwash or regenerate like a salt softener, so it does not require a drain line for regeneration wastewater.
Will the water feel slippery?
No. The slippery feel is associated with traditional salt-softened water. NaturSoft® keeps minerals in the water, so it will not feel the same as salt-softened water.
Can it help protect a tankless water heater?
Yes, scale prevention can be especially valuable for tankless water heaters because they heat water rapidly through narrow passages. Always follow your heater manufacturer’s maintenance requirements.
Can I install it outside?
Yes, if it is protected from freezing, direct harsh exposure, and conditions outside the operating range. Follow the manual and local plumbing code.
How often do I replace the sediment filter?
Replace it when pressure drops or based on your water conditions. Many homeowners replace it around every 6–9 months, but heavy sediment can shorten that interval.
How long does the conditioner media last?
Media life depends on water quality, usage, and performance expectations. Many homeowners plan to refresh media after several years, especially when performance declines.
Can I replace the media later instead of buying a whole new system?
Yes. Healthier Elements carries NS3 and NS6 replacement media kits for NaturSoft systems.
Does this replace my old Pelican NS3 or NS6?
Yes, this page is for the Pelican NaturSoft® NS3 / NS6 salt-free water softener alternative system. If you already own an NS3 or NS6 and only need media, choose the matching replacement media kit instead.
What if I’m not sure whether I need NS3 or NS6?
Contact Healthier Elements before ordering. We can help you choose based on bathrooms, household size, water use, and flow expectations.
Ready to Protect Your Home From Scale?
Choose the NS3 for 1–3 bathrooms or the NS6 for 4–6 bathrooms. If you want low-maintenance scale prevention without salt, NaturSoft® is one of the cleanest ways to do it.