A method for fluid treatment that provides alternative regeneration cycles within the same fluid treatment device. A second alternative regeneration cycle is available within the same device, which has independent cycles or processes from the first regeneration cycle. The first and second regeneration cycles can be programmed at the same time and be programmed to alternatively run based upon the number of individual cycles run, the time the cycles have run, the amount of fluid that has passed through the device, or the concentration of brine and/or chlorine in the fluid within the device.