they remove hard water but not iron and you have to have salt in them

Yes it takes a few days. Water softeners do not remove metal minerals such as iron. You need an iron remover which is a whole completely different system. Or you can try using salt with a iron remover in it.

Wait a few days and see; sometimes with well water it has to settle down before it starts to work. I don*t think it removes rust though you have to put that in your washer.
It should remove the hard water though. If there is no improement call Culligan and complain. Of course they may try to talk you into some thing more expensive.