Monarch Midi HE FreeFlow Water Softener Ultimate Series - 15mm Hoses + 10kg Salt

I purchased this model to replace an old Monarch softeners which failed. I looked at several other brands most cheaper and a couple with smart tech which uses an App to tell you when the salt needs topping up. However, when reading the description and reviews it was clear that the footprint was bigger than my current Monarch model when the hose connections were taken in to account. It’s is a very tight fit in my under sink cabinet and I couldn’t go any bigger. Therefore, I paid £200+ more and went with Monarch again. Purely because the measurements provided were like for like with my current model, so I assumed it would be an easy switch. Unfortunately it turns out it was a few mm deeper and the measurements failed to include hose clearance, which add a good incremental 2cm to the depth. After a lot of cutting, messing and cursing I managed to fit it on a horizontal angle but even now the cupboard door is open a millimetre and the unit pushes my sink drain pipe (which of cause started to leak and had to be refitted). All in all this makes Salk fill an arduous and delicate procedure. I can’t fault the function of the machine. It does what it’s says on the tin with good pressure but an app and salt level indicator would be even more usefully now.