Al vs. Mag

[GallenH]

Water heater. Always wondered: What's the difference between aluminum and magnesium anode rods? One better than other? One better for hard water, etc.

[Gryphon]

Magnesium is supposed to be a better anode rod material, but it can give the water a rotten egg smell. If that bothers you, go with aluminum instead.

[Dogman]

Originally Posted by GallenH

Water heater. Always wondered: What's the difference between aluminum and magnesium anode rods? One better than other? One better for hard water, etc.

Yes, I'm a city boy and married a country girl. We have a water well 190' in Florida. Now one would think Florida water has to be clean "WRONG" lots of RUST WATER, having that odor in the mix with water just kept getting stronger. As the water heater was over 25 years old and time to replace. I also like RUBBER pad under the water heater on concreate (It's a Lighting Thing), in any case the odor was sickening. But once we added the Aluminum anode rod, all that was gone like magic no more odors from the water. YES, they do work and as to size of the heater can be a bit costly.

What I'm saying is over time the anode rod breaks down and will need to be replaced. But also understand when you winterize. your RV you have to by-pass the water heater and some chemicals can harm the water heater anode roads and lining inside the water heater as I have been told.

[GeorgeRa]

Magnesium will protect better based on this eleochemical potentials chart,

Mg -2.36V; Al -1.66V protecting iron at Fe +0.44V

https://www.google.com/search?q=elec...UPXVuM&vssid=l