Water Heaters - Anode rods - Salt versus Potassium

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goodvolts
08-26-09, 07:46 AM
The water in our area is very hard and water heater life expectancy is rather short. Also, the heaters in our area, are supplied with aluminum anode rods. Using water softeners is a trade off. While they reduce the amount of calcium build up in the tanks, the salt eats up the aluminum anode rods very quickly, and the tanks will rust out unless the rods are changed out once a year or so.

My question is,(not being a chemist) does anyone know if the Potassium substitute has the same reaction on the aluminum rods as the salt does?

594tough
08-26-09, 05:24 PM
Potassium Chloride and Sodium Chloride are the two options to regenerate softeners. Both are simply "salt" so any effect on the anode rod would be similar.
goodvolts
08-26-09, 09:08 PM
Ok - Thanks. I appreciate the info.