Anode rod for water heater

[Richard]

I've got a GE water heater, 80 gallon, model GE-80T06AAG.

It's now several years old and I decided I need to check the anode rod and likely replace it.

I'm finding rods that are different diameters and different materials.

42" x 3/4" aluminum
54" x .9" Magnesium

I even think I saw a mixture.

How do I find out what is in there?
How do I find out what is the correct size for replacement?

I think one of them said "X" (Magnesium?) helped remove smells.

I don't have any obvious/obnoxious smells but every now & then it might have a slight oder. Would that rod help?

My plan is to disconnect the tank, drain it. Roll (hand truck) it out to the driveway. Remove the heating elements and anode rod (which will be replaced). Turn it upside down as necessary, use hose to help rinse the mounds of (expected) calcium flakes. Reassemble with new anode rod & hook back up.

I just can't figure out what rod to get and where to get it.

 

[Richard]

I think it's actually made by Rheem but am not 100%

 

[kenmac]

Call GE & give them mod # and they will send you an anode rod.. Or try calling rheem and give them mod #

I have made them out of copper tubing.. They just don't last as long

 

[HeLa]

not that people generally drink or cook with hot water but residual hot water can be found in the faucets. that said, i've read that water from tanks using aluminum anode rods should not be consumed.

we don't have any smells (sulfur?) so i can't comment on that.

i usually disconnect the power and let the coils cool (dry hot coils can crack). then i run a heat-tolerant hose from the tank drain to a floor drain and flush out the tank.

i also run a scale filter in front of the tank.

check the LENGTH of the rod too before ordering a replacement (and make sure there is clearance above the tank to remove it, if doing this inside)

 

[Al 2]

We had a bad sulfur smell in our hot water this year and replaced the rod as suggested and the smell disappeared. As HeLa suggested I just drained the tank to a floor drain. I got a new rod from the hardware store. You can buy a flexible rod if you don't have room overhead to install a new solid one. I also used an electric impact driver to remove the old one as they can be sized in and trying to remove them with a regular socket could be hard as the tank may be hard to hold stationary.
Al

 

[Rocky J]

I have a 5 month old GE Hybrid water heater and called GE about the odor/sulfur egg smell. They told me mine came with Magnesium and I need Aluminum. Also to sanitize with bleach . I goggled the bleach sanitizing and it was straight forward info. I have well water, whole house filter and water softener correcting 20 grain per gallon hardness. No smell to the water when cold or heated in a pan on the stove but does from the water heater. I drain 10 gallon from bottom valve ever month seance new and never see anything. I run the temp at 120 degrees straight heat pump only. They are sending me one and charging me $48 to the house. If I didn't live in the sticks I would take the old out and drive around and find one for $20.