Water Heater Anode Rod Aluminum Vs Magnesium

I use magnesium anodes in my home water heater mainly because of mg being more active current collector.

Water heater anode rod aluminum vs magnesium.

If i had a choice i d go with magnesium but i buy the cameco anode because of availability. Since the working mechanism is slow this is the reason why it produces low voltage during electrolysis. This creates a rotten egg smell in the water that can be rather unpleasant. Soft water corrodes metal faster and an aluminum anode rod may not be reactive enough to cover the bases here.

Ten years ago there where no aluminum rods being sold. So is aluminum good enough considering most of the galvanized pipe has been replaced with pex. The aluminum rods are the slowest performing anode rods built from aluminum. I see aluminum or magnesium rods for sale the magnesium costs double.

The ph of your water also changes the way your water heater anode rod functions. If it was aluminum it would be useless because the water heater tank is aluminum also. If you have a low water ph or soft water this is easy to test for an magnesium anode rod is your best bet. To be fair this type of rod is much less expensive when you compare it with the magnesium or any other type of rods.

They work better at changing sulfates into hydrogen sulfides. A magnesium rod will generally last less than an aluminum rod. Magnesium anode rods are known to increase the level of hydrogen sulfides to extreme levels. Aluminum anode rods are a great option where the water contains a lot of sulfates.

Aluminum has been tied to alzheimer s but that may be a myth. I should probably replace the anode rod in my water heater. Suburban water heaters are steel tanks with a porcelain lining thus the need for anode rods incase a crack incures keeping the tank safe. Both types of anode will protect your tank.