[jeff_banning]

Rod is made of magnesium or aluminum that's formed around a steel core wire and is screwed into the front of the tank. ... When the tank is filled with water, an electrochemical process begins whereby sacrificial anodes are consumed in lieu of the water attacking the steel inside the tank. I pulled the Anode rod out of my house hot water heater 12 years ago... not sure how much it helps or hurts.