The water heater could be the most important peripheral for your daily life. Without a water heater, winters are almost impossible to overcome. However, choosing a proper water heater should be a priority that you need to think about.

But does your heater really serve you properly? If your anode rod is not working, it will not be able to serve you at all. Of course, choosing the right anode rod between aluminum and magnesium should be a top concern.

Here is a detailed guide on water heater anode rod aluminum VS magnesium if you are confused between them. We’ve created a complete difference between both these types of anode rods so that you can have a look. Let’s not waste any time and get started on this.

Camco Aluminum Anode Rod- Extends the Life of Water Heaters by Attracting Corrosive Elements, Tank...
1,995 Reviews
Camco Aluminum Anode Rod- Extends the Life of Water Heaters by Attracting Corrosive Elements, Tank...
  • Extends the life of a water heater by attracting corrosive elements in the...
  • Aluminum anode rod
  • 5/8"diameter x 9.5" long
  • Provides corrosion protection

Last update on 2022-01-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

E-SDS Residental Magnesium Flexible Anode Rod for Water Heater,Prevent Corrosion Within your Water...
251 Reviews
E-SDS Residental Magnesium Flexible Anode Rod for Water Heater,Prevent Corrosion Within your Water...
  • Corrosion Protection: Replacing your anode rod at regular intervals may...
  • Flexible Design for Tight Areas: The Flexible anode rod went in very easy...
  • Advantages of Magnesium Anode Rods: Made from magnesium to provide a...
  • Fits: Almost all water heaters including; Rheem, Reliance, Richmond,...

Last update on 2022-01-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Water Heater Anode Rod Aluminum VS Magnesium [Head To Head Comparison]

Odor

While you are working with a water heater, the water smell could turn out to be a deciding factor. Indeed, you won’t be able to bear a bad water smell coming out from the heater. The anode rods do play a big part in this when it comes to creating the smell.

Aluminum Anode Rod

Aluminum anode rods are made up of simple aluminum metals. But it also contains a strong zinc metal along with this. The best part of having such materials is that it can quickly reduce the water smell and neutralize the strong smell.

Magnesium Anode Rod

Magnesium anode rods do come up with magnesium erodes. Sometimes, they might be highly responsive to produce a limited type of hydrogen sulfide. As a result, you may feel some rotten egg smell. Choosing an anode rod in these circumstances is much better.

Sediment Formation

Considering any heater, sediment builds up plays an important role in how your heater will perform. If you are located at a heavy containment prone zone, your heater is bound to build up more sediments. This is why the heating element along with anode rods should be important. It would help if you were a bit specific before choosing one.

Aluminum Anode Rod

Aluminum anode rods are not the best choice to make when you need to clear out sediments. Sediment tends to form at the bottom of your water heater. With anode rods, these sediment formation can rapidly increase.

Magnesium Anode Rod

On the other hand, Magnesium is a better choice when it comes to sediment formation and buildup. They do not produce any harmful sediments, which means magnesium anode rods are much better used in such circumstances.

Water pH

Water pH levels always determine the quality of your water that you receive from the heater. It is important to keep in mind that water pH levels indicate how healthy the water is. Having a decent water pH level with you is very important to consider.

Aluminum Anode Rod

Aluminum anode rods contain more natural metals, and that is why they react more. When it comes to soft acid water, this is why it starts to corrode the anode rod much faster than any other type. In such a situation, having an aluminum rod is never the ideal option to choose.

Magnesium Anode Rod

On the other hand, magnesium rod contains a lower amount of metals. For soft water situations, the amount of pH levels is much lower. This is why choosing a magnesium anode rod could benefit you in many ways.

Replacement

Anode rod replacement is always important when it comes to the use of anode rods. It is true that not even if you keep on sing your water heater, you won’t be able to use the anode rods. They require time to time replacement for continuous performance. Irrespective of your water quality, the anode rod might turn to wear out.

Aluminum Anode Rod

Aluminum anode rod tends to corrode as time goes by. The anode rod may break into pieces if it is not replaced after a certain time because of mild or strongly acidic water. Consequently, replacing such a corroded rod will always be difficult and a tough challenge in hand.

Magnesium Anode Rod

Magnesium anode rods do not tend to corrode. Only an outer layer of this rod may fade away to reduce levels of contamination. Thus, replacing a magnesium rod will never be a difficult challenge for you. You can easily take out the entire rod following a DIY procedure.

Key Water Heater Maintenance Tips

Camco Aluminum Anode Rod- Extends the Life of Water Heaters by Attracting Corrosive Elements, Tank...
1,995 Reviews
Camco Aluminum Anode Rod- Extends the Life of Water Heaters by Attracting Corrosive Elements, Tank...
  • Extends the life of a water heater by attracting corrosive elements in the...
  • Aluminum anode rod
  • 5/8"diameter x 9.5" long
  • Provides corrosion protection

Last update on 2022-01-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

E-SDS Residental Magnesium Flexible Anode Rod for Water Heater,Prevent Corrosion Within your Water...
251 Reviews
E-SDS Residental Magnesium Flexible Anode Rod for Water Heater,Prevent Corrosion Within your Water...
  • Corrosion Protection: Replacing your anode rod at regular intervals may...
  • Flexible Design for Tight Areas: The Flexible anode rod went in very easy...
  • Advantages of Magnesium Anode Rods: Made from magnesium to provide a...
  • Fits: Almost all water heaters including; Rheem, Reliance, Richmond,...

Last update on 2022-01-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Do not worry, for the greater part of these issues can be fixed rapidly. Know the manifestations, upkeep, and fix methods so you’ll realize what to do if these issues occur.

  • Foul odors result from a rotting sacrificial anode rod. Due to the decaying wire, water will possess an aroma like a spoiling egg, brought about by germs shaping in the water stockpiling tank. To fix this, buy another anode rod, supplant, and flush your water heater totally before utilizing it.
  • Breaks are a reason for the dead temperature and pressing factor valve. This part would then be able to be handily supplanted. Breaks from water heaters can likewise result from the rusting of the ignition chamber-if this occurs. You should purchase another water heater.
  • Polluted or stained water is brought about by an eroding heater tank inside. This generally occurs if the sacrificial anode rod rots. Rods are very modest and can be supplanted right away.
  • Finally, if the high temp water is no longer as hot as it used to be, check the thermocouple and check whether it should be supplanted. You can relight the pilot to cure the issue.

Final Verdict

Whenever a question raises and you are not able to finalize the water heater anode rod aluminum VS magnesium, we can say both rods work very well for any heater. However, they still do have some differences that need to be looked out for. Both of them are quite compatible with soft water and hard water.

However, aluminum anode rods do tend to provide a rotten egg smell, while adding zinc might counter this as well.

On the other hand, magnesium anode rods do not have this problem, but they are a bit expensive than aluminum anode rods.

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