Anode rod aluminum vs. magnesium

zepfan · February 19

is there any difference in an aluminum or magnesium anode rod when installed in a natural gas water heater? In other words is one better than the other? Specially when installed on city water supply, not a well.
The reason I ask is that our local supply house is running low on heaters that have magnesium rods, but have plenty that have aluminum anode rods. I would consider the water quality to be fairly good from our local utility.

Thanks to all

mattmia2 · February 19

it is more important that you check them regularly and replace them when depleted than the type if bacteria isn't an issue

psb75 · February 19

I was told that the "factory issued" anode rod is generally magnesium. I just had a client who had "stinky water" i.e. sulphury-smelling or "rotten egg" smell. This was only the hot water. I replaced the magesium rod with an aluminum rod. The smell went away quickly.

tcassano87 · February 19

one isn’t better then the other, it’s a matter of your water quality and what’s better for the specific situation. Also like the above comment if you have rotten egg smelling water then 100% replace it to aluminum

Larry Weingarten · February 19

Hi, If you promise never to cook with or drink the hot water, and always rinse it from the faucet before using cold water, than it might be okay. Aluminum is a neurotoxin and I'd always remove those rods and replace with magnesium when servicing water heaters. There is an old document written by a doctor in the archives here, which goes into much more detail.

Yours, Larry

EBEBRATT-Ed · February 20

@Larry Weingarten

Isn't that the same thing as cooking in aluminum pans?

mattmia2 · February 20

i thought that was debunked like 30 years ago

4GenPlumber · February 20

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1888666#Comment_1888666

Was it a Bradford White? They were having a problem with their anodes and were replacing them for free for a while.

Larry Weingarten · February 20

Hi @EBEBRATT-Ed , Yes it is. It's one of the things that doctor from long ago was worried about. Here's the link. https://www.heatinghelp.com/systems-help-center/the-danger-of-food-contamination-by-aluminum/ Here are two links discussing aluminum and neurotoxicity: https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/aluminum-neurotoxicity/#gsc.tab=0 and https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43440-022-00353-4

They are from 2022 and 2025.

Yours, Larry

mattmia2 · February 20

t looks like aluminum is a problem in your brain but it isn't clear it gets there from ingesting it and the amount of aluminum from cooking vessels or plumbing products is miniscule compared to what is naturally in food.

Larry Weingarten · February 21

Hi, I may be a little over the top, but when it comes to health, it's guilty until proven innocent. I could not knowingly leave a client with something that ultimately could hurt them, even if it's not fully proven right now. Reading the document in the archives here from 1932 makes it quite clear there are multiple health risks associated with aluminum and its oxides. The modern studies confirm this. Dementia cases are on the rise. I don't want to risk contributing to it in any way. Guess you can tell I feel somewhat strongly about this "do no harm" thing.

Yours, Larry

psb75 · February 21

Yes, I believe the water heater that I swapped out a mag. anode and put in an aluminum was a Brad White electric. I will contact the owner/user and tell them NOT TO INGEST or use for cooking/drinking their HOT WATER. I don't believe folks generally do anyway. Thanks for that reminder Larry Weingarten. Owner claims that the swap was very effective for clearing up the "sulfury" smell. Almost immediate.

hot_rod · February 21

the electronic type seem to make the most sense?

mattmia2 · February 21

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1888990#Comment_1888990

As long as you make sure the power supply that was built by a 3rd party where cost was the only design criteria is still working and someone that doesn't understand it doesn't unplug it.

You get 100x more or more aluminum from eating some vegetables as you get from the tiny amount that dissolves from the anode in the water heater or an aluminum pot.

psb75 · February 21

I forgot all about plug-in electric anode. That probably would have worked too. Thanks hot_rod.

jumper · 1:46AM

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1889015#Comment_1889015

Seem to remember a permanent graphite protector that used a battery. Nine volt?

4GenPlumber · 3:56AM

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1888990#Comment_1888990

I've seen those, but never used one. How do they work?

mattmia2 · 3:59AM

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1889088#Comment_1889088

it usually uses a platinum rod and it uses a power supply connected to that rod to produce a current that favors deposition of iron in the same way the anode does it through an electrochemical reaction.

Robert_25 · 11:31AM

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1889088#Comment_1889088

Everything You Need to Know About Powered Anode Rods - Corro-Protec

Robert_25 · 11:36AM

I have only installed a powered anode rod once, and it worked as intended (stopped the hot water from smelling bad). The powered anodes are quite a bit more expensive, but you only do it once.

Aluminum vs Magnesium Anode Rods: Which is Best for Your Water Heater?

Anode rod aluminum vs. magnesium

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