Anode rod, aluminum or magnesium

[notanlines]

It is that time (maybe a little past time) to replace the rod. I have just used magnesium in the past because that's what was available. Anybody have an opinion on what might be better?

[Stumpy75]

The magnesium work better for protecting your hot water tank. They react faster to an aggressive water(sacrifice more). The aluminum rods react slower, and are used where there is very aggressive water that would cause the magnesium rods to disintegrate too fast(like less than a year).

I've always used the magnesium rods. Some years, they are more eaten than others, depending on the quality of the water where I was that year.

[tech740]

I use the mag rods. I figure I would rather replace the rod more often than the water heater. Just my thought.

[ChuckS]

I’ve always stayed with magnesium anodes... not a full timer so it’s in my routine to remove anode rod after every trip to drain water, flush tank and reinstall same anode.. I replace once a year.

[rhagfo]

If you go places and get smelly hot water get an aluminum rod.

[roadglide]

I have been using one aluminum rod 3 years after every trip I drain hot water heater then useing wire wheel brush buff off the caked pitted rod and threads add Teflon tape with small amount of anti seize . The rod gets stored away in the shop ready for the next trip.

[flybouy]

I have always used magnesium. For my money it's a small investment to keep the tank from rotting out. In my opinion, if the magnesium rod is disintegrating too rapidly then the fix is not to move to a metal that deteriorates slower (i.e. it's not protecting as well) but the needed treatment may be with a better filter and if the water is REALLY bad a water softener leading into the camper.

To my way of thinking it's only logical that if the water is so corrosive that it's eating up an sacrificial metal the LAST thing I want to do is place a metal in the tank that makes that more difficult. The whole idea of the "sacrificial" poart is that it sacrifices itself to save the other metals, not for you to "save" the anode rod.

[JRTJH]

This response is from a plumbing site that seems to address which anode to use with a better response than most:

Water Heater Anode Rod Aluminum vs Magnesium – Which is better?

Note: We do not compare zinc anode rods here as they are actually just aluminum rods with a small portion of zinc. A zinc anode rod however is useful for combating rotten egg smell (sulfur) that may come from the water. If you experience a rotten egg smell then an upgrade to a zinc anode rod may be a good idea.

choosing the right anode rod mainly comes down to the level of hardness in your water. For harder water an aluminum anode rod is the best choice for your heater and if you live in an area with soft water then a magnesium anode rod is your best choice. Aluminum anodes tend to be cheaper than magnesium anode rods. A magnesium rod will generally last less than an aluminum rod.

One issue with aluminium rods is that the corrosive material that is formed on the anode tends to harden and sink to the bottom of the water tank. This can potentially find its way into your taps and cause issues down the line.

Our overall decision in the water heater anode rod aluminum vs magnesium argument is that magnesium anode rods are the better choice when deciding which anode to buy for your water heater.

[notanlines]

Thanks for all the answers. DW and I made a trek to all four RV outlets in the west Tennessee area. Nothing but aluminum. Why is it that at 71 years old I find it so hard to just resort to 'one touch purchase' on Amazon, two for $21.00, including freight? They'll be here on Tuesday.

[flybouy]

Thanks for all the answers. DW and I made a trek to all four RV outlets in the west Tennessee area. Nothing but aluminum. Why is it that at 71 years old I find it so hard to just resort to 'one touch purchase' on Amazon, two for $21.00, including freight? They'll be here on Tuesday.

Between shopping on Amazon, having Alexa turn lights on and off and show me who's at the door and elsewhere that I have cameras I think they know more about me than my Proctologist does.:eek: