Changing Softener resin

Just changed water softner resin as it as been used for 10 + years. 

The new resin does not seem as good. (based on ppm from old resin to new resin) Could I have overfilled it? Should I have left a gap? If so how much? 

I am using a 6.9L  resin bottle and manually rinsing the salts through a 10" housing. All connected by garden hose connectors. 

best said:

Just changed water softner resin as it as been used for 10 + years. 

The new resin does not seem as good. (based on ppm from old resin to new resin) Could I have overfilled it? Should I have left a gap? If so how much? 

I am using a 6.9L  resin bottle and manually rinsing the salts through a 10" housing. All connected by garden hose connectors. 

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I have always understood that a water softener doesn't affect the tds of your water. If your input water is 450ppm your output will be the same ppm. Your water softener removes the calcium and magnesium ions from your water but replaces them with easier to deal with sodium ions.

This makes the water appear to be softer as these metals are removed.

Thanks, but what level do I need to fill it too?