Anode rod

[Gr8bawana]

When draining the water heater today I noticed the anode rod is 99% used up.
When looking for a replacement I see a Camco aluminum anode rod $16.99 and one at Home Depot that says Marey magnesium RV water heater anode rod $8.99.
They both say compatible with Suburban and Mor-Flo water heaters.
Is there a difference?

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

The authentic Suburban brand anode is magnesium.

Here is one independent comparison of magnesium vs aluminum.
But other vendors say the opposite.

 

[Kirk]

The life of an anode in your water heater is dependent on the quality of the water that passes through it. I have always checked mine annually and replaced it if more than half gone. I also found that using cheaper ones than those by Suburban will sometimes damage the threads when you put it into the tank if you force it in. When changing the anode, I strongly recommend that you also use a flushing wand to remove accumulated minerals.

 

[darsben]

The cheap ones are more expensive as they do not last as long

 

[Domo]

As @darsben hinted - it's far easier and cheaper to put in the expensive anode than replace the water heater due to premature consumption of the sacrificial anode.

And, as a practical point - always have a spare on-hand when doing your annual check of the anode - no sense checking it's remaining life and finding you need to install a new one and then have to go to the store while you're all wet, your tools are laying around and there's no hot water - - -

 

[gwinger]

For the $15 dollars or so, why waste money on an off brand. You're protecting a $700 water heater.

 

[Isaac-1]

There are pros and cons to both Aluminum and Magnesium anode rods, and a lot depends on the water they will be exposed to. For example Magnesium rods provide better protection, but also don't last as long.