3/4" KA-90 Aluminum / Zinc Anode Rod, 100108571

I had the smelly well water problem for lots of years in hot and cold. I treated the well with a well kit from ETR Labs, they provided a sodium hypochlorite package that went directly down the well. I really didn't want the household bleach approach. After 5 -6 days the water on the cold side was odorless but the hot water still retained some odor. I have a 2 year old hot water storage tank with the standard anode. I bought this KA90 anode based on the recommendation of the tank manufacturer, Energy Kinetics. The rod came from AO Smith who provided excellent step-by-step installation instructions with the exception of the amount of chlorine to add during the tank flush steps - more later. The old rod is really torqued in so you will need a way to hold the tank stationary while you use a 2 foot pipe on the wrench. Even with 40 gallons in the tank it swiveled easily. I attached two ratchet straps around the tank, bottom one to wall studs top one had a 2x4 against the wall (this is on YOU TUBE someplace.) Once it broke free it came out fairly easily. I drained the tank completely per the instructions, refilled the tank and here is where I think the instructions are not accurate. Add 1 cup of household bleach for each 5-gallons in the re-filled tank. My tank is 40 gallon = 8 cups or 64 ounces. I didn't like it and still don't so I cut back to 6 cups and it was still way over chlorinated. Next day I drained the chlorinated contents of the tank because of the strength of the chlorine. I also didn't want all that chlorine in my septic tank. I am checking with the mfgr on this. In any case it solved the hot water odor problem. Unfortunately I made two changes at the same time but I do believe the new rod is performing as advertised. Expect lots of turbid water for a while as the air in the system disturbs all sorts of stuff in the lines. I'lll give it 5 stars if it's still odor free in a few weeks.

I installed this aluminum/ zinc anode rod in a 5 yr old 40 gallon water heater. I used bleach in the tank while I had the old anode rod removed. Once the new rod was installed, the smell was gone but only for a few days. My water system includes a well, whole house 3 stage water filter, water boss water softener and 40 gallon water heater. For the extra money spent, more than the magnesium anode rod, the aluminum/zinc rod was not worth it since I still have the rotten egg smell.