I think you're doing the best thing by using the cartridge filter/softner. Thirty PPM is an ideal balance for both taste and the machine. You'll still need to descale twice a year (assuming near daily use) to keep the boiler clean and the water tasting fresh. If you have the salt rechargeable softner that came with the machine you might as well use it in addition to your Bestmax but I question how effective they really are. Just soak it in a glass of salt water every few weeks to recharge. I like Durgol for descaling but I'm told that Descal is just as good. You can use citric acid, it's much cheaper, but it takes a long time. I've found that citric acid must soak in the boiler for 12 hours to be really effective and you'll have to flush it about 20 times to remove the taste residue. With Durgol it takes only a few mintes to work and only two or three flushes. I've also used reverse osmosis water with PPM in the low single digits. It's great for the machine and will postpone descaling for a year or more but the taste is flat in my opinion.
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