Stop Hot-Water Odor and Protect Your Water Heater
Water Tank Tec is an impressed-current cathodic-protection (ICCP) system designed to replace the traditional sacrificial aluminum anode while providing electrically supplied corrosion protection to the steel interior of residential water heaters.
All orders received by 5:00 AM eastern standard time ship the same day Monday – Saturday.
Our System Ships from Muncie, Indiana.
All emails Answered Within 24 Hours Or Less.
Will A Powered Anode Void My Tanks Warranty?
One of our customers contacted water-heater manufacturer Rheem regarding the installation of our powered-anode system. A response received from Rheem is reproduced below. The manufacturer's response should be reviewed in its original context. Warranty terms can vary by manufacturer, product, installation conditions, and applicable warranty provisions. Consumers should review the warranty documentation for their specific water heater.
Not All Powered Anodes Are Created Equal.
The powered-anode market includes a wide range of designs, prices, anode shapes, controllers, and power supplies. Products may use V-shaped, tubular, mesh, long, or short anodes, and manufacturers make different claims about their features and performance. At Water Tank Tec, we believe consumers should be able to evaluate powered-anode systems based on engineering information and documented product characteristics—not simply price, appearance, or customer reviews.
Editor's Note: The product images and screenshots shown on this page were captured from publicly available eBay and Amazon listings. They are presented to document the representations made in those listings at the time they were captured. Images and claims from other manufacturers are presented without intentional alteration.
Addressing Hot-Water Odor.
In some water-heater systems, particularly those using well water, sulfur-related odors can be associated with interactions between water chemistry, microorganisms, and the conventional sacrificial anode.
Replacing the conventional sacrificial anode with a powered anode can eliminate the source of odor in some installations. However, sulfur or “rotten-egg” odors can have multiple causes, so odor reduction is not guaranteed in every installation.
Installing a powered anode requires removing that aluminum rod. In many installations, the odor is greatly reduced or disappears after the conventional sacrificial anode is removed. If the odor persists, the water supply, plumbing, water chemistry, and other possible sources should also be considered. If this is the case, please contact us to help you diagnose it.
The Real Issue: Is Your Tank Being Protected?
This is where the engineering of the system matters.
A powered anode isn't supposed to simply make your hot water smell better. Its primary job is to provide cathodic corrosion protection to the steel interior of your water heater.
Water Tank Tec uses a microcontroller-based voltage/potential controller that monitors and regulates the electrical potential delivered to the anode. Our controller is what separates us from other brands.
Our system is designed to replace the conventional sacrificial aluminum anode with a titanium-based powered anode and provide impressed-current cathodic protection to the steel tank. The powered anode is designed for long-term operation without the routine consumption associated with a conventional sacrificial anode.
Don't Choose a Powered Anode Solely by Price or Appearance.
A different anode shape does not necessarily establish superior corrosion protection. Likewise, a higher or lower purchase price does not by itself establish the quality or effectiveness of the underlying electrical-control system.
Eliminating an odor also does not, by itself, demonstrate the level of cathodic protection being provided to the tank.
Our goal at Water Tank Tec is to provide an engineered ICCP system based on electrical-control principles and measurable product characteristics.
Installation Video Of Our Product.
Why ICCP Anodes Don’t Look Like Sacrificial Anodes.
A conventional aluminum anode rod provides galvanic, or sacrificial, corrosion protection. The aluminum is consumed as part of the electrochemical process and therefore eventually requires replacement. This is why they are in on average 44 inches long and ¾ inches in diameter.
An impressed-current cathodic-protection (ICCP) system operates differently. Instead of relying solely on the consumption of a sacrificial metal anode, an external power source supplies electrical current to the anode system.
Because the protective current is supplied electrically, an ICCP anode does not operate on the same sacrificial-consumption principle as a conventional aluminum anode.
The physical size and construction of an ICCP anode therefore cannot be evaluated solely by comparing it with the size of a traditional sacrificial anode.
Our Engineering vs Off-The-Shelf Power Supplies.
Not every power supply is designed for the same electrical application.
Some powered-anode products use commercially available power supplies that were not necessarily designed specifically for water-heater ICCP applications.
Examples of characteristics to consider include:
Voltage regulation
Current characteristics
Electrical stability
Output behavior under changing loads
Protection circuitry
Materials and environmental considerations
Compatibility with the anode and water-heater application
Long-term reliability.
Our controller and power system are designed specifically around the intended powered-anode application.
Our design approach considers the relationship between the controller, power supply, anode, water chemistry, and water-heater tank.
We focus on controlled electrical operation rather than simply supplying power to an anode.
Our Controller vs Other Brands.
Why The Controller Is an Important Part of the System.
The controller is an important component of an impressed-current cathodic-protection system.
Electrical output should be appropriate for the application. A system that supplies substantially different electrical conditions from those intended for the application may perform differently.
For that reason, consumers evaluating powered-anode systems should consider more than the physical appearance of the anode itself.
Relevant considerations may include:
How the output is controlled
Whether voltage is regulated
How current is controlled or monitored
Whether the system responds to changing operating conditions
What testing or certification has been performed
Whether the controller was designed specifically for the intended application
Powered Anode Questions & Answers.
Powered-anode advertising can contain many different claims. We believe consumers should examine those claims carefully and ask what the underlying engineering or testing actually demonstrates.
Has The Water Tank Tec Controller Been Tested? Yes. Independently Tested. Proprietary Design.
The Water Tank Tec Controller incorporates proprietary design and engineering features developed specifically for our powered-anode system.
To protect our proprietary technology and manufacturing relationships, we do not publicly disclose complete laboratory reports, internal engineering documentation, or manufacturing-source information.
The controller has nevertheless undergone independent third-party laboratory testing. Supporting documentation is maintained by Water Tank Tec and may be made available for qualified review under appropriate confidentiality conditions.
We believe customers should be able to know that independent testing exists without requiring us to disclose proprietary information that could compromise our product design or manufacturing relationships.
Are Other Powered-Anode Products Certified?
Certification varies by product and by the particular standard or requirement being evaluated.
For example, a product may have documentation relating to a specific material or "lead-free" requirement without that documentation necessarily establishing the same thing as certification of an ICCP controller.
Will a Powered Anode Eliminate Odor Electrochemically?
No. A powered anode's primary function is electrical cathodic protection. Odor can have multiple causes, and odor reduction should not automatically be interpreted as proof of cathodic-protection performance.
Will a Powered Anode Prevent Limescale or Sediment?
No. Limescale deposits occur when hard water comes into contact with solid surfaces and limescale loves hot water.
A powered anode should not be considered a substitute for water-treatment equipment or routine water-heater maintenance.
Water hardness and sediment accumulation are separate water-quality and maintenance issues.
Consumers should follow the water-heater manufacturer's recommendations for flushing and maintenance.
Will a Powered Anode Reduce Water Hardness?
No. Water hardness is a water-chemistry issue. A conventional water softener or other appropriate water-treatment system is designed to address water hardness.
Will It Neutralize Sulfur Odor No Matter What The Cause? No.
Will It Reduce The Need For Tank Flushing? No.
Can a Powered Anode "Break Apart the Calcium Molecule"?
Claims involving calcium should be evaluated carefully.
In water, calcium is present primarily as dissolved ions and compounds rather than as a simple "calcium molecule."
Will a Powered Anode Prevent Cloudy Water or Air in the Water Lines?
Cloudy water can have several causes, including dissolved gases, minerals, plumbing conditions, or other water-quality factors.
Sediment and mineral deposits inside a water heater can also contribute to operating issues.
A powered anode should not be represented as a universal solution for cloudy water, sediment, or air in plumbing.
Water Tank Tec vs. Generic Systems
Water Tank Tec provides an ICCP powered-anode system designed to replace the traditional sacrificial aluminum anode while providing electrically supplied cathodic protection.
Our focus is on the complete system: controller, electrical output, anode, installation, and interaction with the water-heater tank. Other products may use different approaches, components, or power supplies.
Rather than assuming that products are equivalent because they have a similar appearance, consumers should compare the actual electrical components, specifications, testing, and certifications.
Understanding Powered Anode Differences.
Some powered anode products are sold under different brand names and may use components that appear similar or identical to other brands.
For example, we identified an AQOVOR product advertised at $59.99 that appeared to use a power-supply or electrical component also found in another branded product.
This observation does not, by itself, establish that the products are identical or that they will perform identically. Consumers should compare the complete system, including the controller, power supply, anode, electrical specifications, testing, certifications, and installation requirements.
Water Tank Tec Controller vs. Generic Power Supplies
Water Tank Tec's controller has been developed specifically for our powered-anode application.
Our design has been updated as components, microcontrollers, and electrical-control technology have evolved.
Some competing products use commercially available power supplies. The presence of a commercially available power supply does not, by itself, establish whether the complete system is or is not capable of providing appropriate ICCP protection.
Consumers should compare the actual electrical specifications and system design.
How Water Tank Tec Takes Care Of Our Customers.
The image below illustrates our commitment to standing behind our product to a consumer who purchased our product 5 years ago.
V-Shaped Anodes: Construction and Sealing
Powered-anode systems use different methods of constructing and sealing. One approach uses a molded or potted material as part of the sealing system. If leaks do occur, and left un-checked, the tanks insulation will become saturated with water.
Water Tank Tec uses an industry-standard rubber O-ring as part of its tank connection and sealing design. The O-ring provides a mechanically compressed seal between the appropriate mating surfaces.
Documented Examples of Leaks and Seal Failures
The photographs below show individual examples of leaking, separation, or other failures that were reported to us or otherwise documented in connection with particular epoxy-sealed powered-anode products.
These photographs are provided for informational and comparative purposes only. They are not intended to establish the failure rate, reliability, or performance of every epoxy-sealed powered-anode product, manufacturer, or design. Individual products may differ substantially in construction and performance.
Our Approach to Comparing Powered-Anode Products
There are many ways to market a powered-anode system.
At Water Tank Tec, we believe consumers benefit from comparisons based on:
Actual product construction
Electrical specifications
Controller design
Anode construction
Sealing method
Laboratory testing
Certification documentation
Installation requirements
Manufacturer claims
Documented product performance
Where we refer to a competitor's advertising, our goal is to identify the claim accurately and allow consumers to compare that claim with the available engineering information.
Where we show photographs of reported failures, we identify them as examples rather than representing them as proof that every product of that type will fail.
Where we make a statement about another manufacturer's product, we strive to base that statement on information that can be independently reviewed.
Disclaimer
This page contains technical comparisons and information concerning powered-anode and impressed-current cathodic-protection systems. References to other products, manufacturers, brands, photographs, screenshots, specifications, or advertising claims are provided for purposes of product comparison and consumer information.
Images and quoted or reproduced claims originating from other manufacturers or sellers are presented as obtained from their publicly available materials and are not intended to imply sponsorship, endorsement, affiliation, or approval by those manufacturers.
We do not claim that every product represented by a particular design, brand, sealing method, or power-supply type will perform identically.
Where Is The Anode Located?
All American water heaters have an anode rod that can be removed. Bradford White, however, uses a ‘nipple’ anode meaning it does not have a port rather it is on the Hot water side of the tank. This replacement is shown on this site further down on the page. Once the Anode Port is found, remove the plastic cover, and foam insulation. Once the Anode is located, use a 1-1/16 inch 6 point socket to extract the previous anode. With the same socket, screw our anode in the same location.
Water Tank Tec Standard vs Recessed Installation.
Below are 2 alternatives for installation. If the anode port is recessed (higher efficiency tanks) we provide a free extension rod that screws onto our anode allowing for wire connection points.
Click here for our PDF installation Instructions.
My Anode Wont Break Loose Or Bradford White Installation.
Some factory anodes can be tough to remove. If you strip the bolt off or simply cant break it loose, you can purchase the below parts for less than $10.00 and install it on the Hot water side of the tank as shown below. This installation will also work with the Bradford White tanks installed on the HOT water side. Keep in mind, always flush the water tank before or after installing our product. This will remove any debris of of the old Anode and any limescale accumulation.
Correct Installation of Bradford white or alternative anode location.
Photos Of Our System Installed.
Just A Few Of Our Customer Installation Photos, Many Thanks!
Bradford White (nipple anodes) Installation.
How To Remove Your Nipple Style Anode Rod Click here for a short video
Bradford White and some A O Smith tanks use a nipple type Anode rod. If you can’t find your anode port on top of the heater then you more than likely have a nipple style rod. These replacement Anodes can not be purchased at Lowe’s or Menard's. These Anode Rods must be purchased on-line.
If your water heater has a single nipple style Anode Rod, please see the below diagram to convert your tank and incorporate our system. We do not sell these parts since by the time you add in USPS shipping costs, it would amount to $35.00 to send you $15.00 worth of parts.
Nipple Style Anode Rod Conversion Hardware.
Finding Your Anode Rod Location - Removing & Extracting. Click On Images For Helpful Notes.
Location Of The Anode Rod Before Ordering our product or purchasing a new Tank.
If you can find the location of your Anode Rod Bolt Top on your existing heater tank, our system can be installed (see above photos). It is advised that if you are purchasing a new water heater that you find the Anode Rod location on their display model. If you can't find the Anode port, ask to see the owners manual. If it is accessible and between 10 to 110 gallons, our product will work in your system. Removing the Factory Anode Rod will require a breaker bar and someone else to steady the tank when removing it.
Helpful Tip On Removing The Factory Anode Rod.
Instead of using thread tape or liquid sealant, the factory chooses to install the Anode Rod using Red Loctite which is a permanent liquid thread sealant and is difficult to remove. Use only a 6 point 1 1/16 socket. Leave the tank full of water or if a new installation, fill the tank full first. The water will help steady the tank. Best results are using a 1/2" breaker bar with a pipe extension. If you have access to an impact wrench, this would be even better. See our customer photos above for removing the foam insulation.
Our Warranty.
We offer a lifetime warranty on our Potential Controller. If the LED ever flashes Red, contact us via email: mray@waterodor.com If we cannot resolve the issue together, a new controller will be sent to you free of charge.
Shipping & Delivery Times. All Below Times Are Indiana Eastern Daylight Savings Time (EDT).
* All Orders Are Shipped USPS Ground Advantage. You Can Expect 1 to 3 Day Delivery times Anywhere In The USA.
* Shipping: All orders received by 5:00 AM Daylight savings time (DST) Monday - Friday ship the same day.
* Saturday Orders By 5:00 AM Ship Same Day.
What You Will Receive.
1 MMO Ti Coated Tank Sensor Rod.
1 Power Supply Control Module With 8' Power Cord.
1 Stainless Steel Extension Rod ‘If Needed’ For Recessed Anodes (insulation depth thickness).
Simple Installation Instructions.
Returns.
Non-Installation Returns After Purchase: 3 Months. If the anode has been installed, a $35.00 deduction will apply to your refund since we do not resale the anode.
Free 1 - 3-day shipping nationwide In The USA.
Our product is manufactured in an ISO-certified facility.
Always Flush Your Water Heater Once Every Year!
We Also Recommend Sanitizing Your Well Every 3 Years. Click Here For How To Perform This Task.
Just a few of our Members
We Are a Proud Sponsor Of The Riley Foundation Helping Children And Families. A portion of our sales goes to Riley’s every Sales Quarter.
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