OzekWater Heater Anode Rod – 44 inch Magnesium Flexible Anode Rod for Hot Water Heater

Noticeable improvement in smell and water quality since the old rod was completely gone. Installation was easy especially with segmented design. Appears high quality and functional. No issues with fit. Price wise it’s a good value. Would recommend.

This was pretty straight forward to install. I used an impact gun to remove the old anode rod from my water heater using a 1-1/16" socket after shutting off the water to the hot water heater. I drained maybe 5 gallons first into a bucket using the drain at the bottom of the water heater. The old, original anode as seen in the photo was 2.5 years old, and you can see it definitely needs replacing. I wrapped some Teflon tape around the threads of the new anode rod, which was included, and installed. After doing so, turned the fresh water supply on, and drained another 10 gallons of water, blowing out any chunks that fell to the bottom removing the old one. I leave a label on the heater noting when I changed it.

Appears to be a quality product. However, the Teflon tape shipped with the unit was the flimsiest Teflon tape I have ever used. Before counting on the tape shipped with the unit, you might want to consider having a quality Teflon tape roll as a backup.

Anode rods are typically 42"-44". My H20 heater is in a closet having only ~25" clearance from the top of the heater to the ceiling, so it would be impossible to install a non-segmented anode rod. Installing this was a little tricky because the cables connecting the cylinders make it a bit difficult to not to bump-up against the heating elements. If the cylinders were connected by something having a hinge, making it perfectly straight, it would have been easier, but that improvement would likely increase the cost. Overall, this is a great invention and I appreciate having this option.

Thought it was time to replace my 50 Gal. gas water heater anode. I had installed a similar magnesium rod 4 years ago. Exact type was unavailable , so I purchased this one. Arrived in one day ( shocked) . Killed the power, and pulled the power vent off the top of the water tank to expose the anode rod access hole. Closed the cold water inlet and cracked a nearby hot water spigot. Drained about a gallon of water from the tank valve . Used a Milwaukee 1400 ft. Lb. high torque electric wrench with a 1 1/16 inch 6 point socket and the anode zipped right out. New anode went right in with a little Teflon tape and ptfe paste. Torqued to factory specs thanks to Eric O.Much to my surprise, the old anode was only missing one of the 4 sacrificial lobes on the rod that was installed 4 years ago. I have very hard water but use a high capacity water softener which must be helping.I hardly think I'd let the anode go 16 years to completely dissolve all 4 lobes ,but the water is great with no smell. The softener is 20 years old and I've religiously changed the anode every 4 years, but this is a first.Never changed the anode in my old tank and it was rusted out in 12 years. I'm convinced it's money well spent to change them out. This product makes it painless.Note: make sure you have the means to remove the old anode, especially if it's corroded in place. Soak the old nut with penetrating oil and leave overnight. There's no socket included in this kit. At the bare minimum, you will need a 1/2 inch ratchet and socket (1 1/16 in.) and probably a long breaker bar. You're better off borrowing an electric impact ( high torque) to avoid a lot of aggravation. Use the Teflon tape to assure easy removal next time. You'll be glad you did.

Excellent quality and easy to put in a AO Smith water heater..

This rod makes replacement easy. fits great and works flawlessly

It’s not made in USA as they claim to be a USA company!