Magnesium or Aluminum Anode Rod?

ktmrfs,
I'm not an expert on this subject but I do know that the use of potassium chloride in water softeners presents numerous health risks also. I'm with you on the idea of drinking and cooking with bottled water and using softened water for other purposes. Apparently some people are more at risk than others when exposed to certain levels of potassium and/or sodium and should minimize their exposure.

I forgot to mention we drink bottled water only.

Thanks to everyone who has replied. We have a filter in the kitchen for coffee and other recipes that call for water. We are not on a low sodium diet. We are getting a water softener & conditioner mainly for the appliances that use them. We are in the construction business and travel everywhere so we never know what kind of water we will run into.
My concern is protecting my water heater and a brand new washer. If the water inlets get clogged with junk, then we must dismount dryer on top, set on bed, then pull washer out to clean the inlet screens. When you work 60 - 80 hrs a week, that can be a problem. I read the reviews on the water softener/conditioner we ordered and one man said to make sure you used aluminum rod instead of magnesium rod. But after all the research I have done, I'm coming to the conclusion that I think that man got them mixed up.

ernie1 wrote:
I know this is a little off topic but I feel the need to present what I know to be fact. Through the traditional process of softening water with a salt brine solution, the resulting softened water has sodium ions in it and it IS bad for your health. Just ask your doctor! Don't know where the sodium bicarbonate in the Culligan system comes from since, if it's a conventional water softening system, there is no bicarbonate to be had in the mix. Sodium bicarbonate is baking soda. Where did that come from?

If your on a low sodium diet and/or what to limit sodium intake and want to use a water softener, use potasium chloride instead of sodium chloride. same soft water w/o the sodium ions.

we drink the soft water when we use a water softener on the road. yes, higher sodium intake, but it is limited to when we are traveling in hard water areas, and we aren't on a low sodium diet. Or use a softener and use bottle water for drinking and cooking.

plenty of options to still have the benefits of soft water for washing/cleaning etc.

ernie1 wrote:
Sodium bicarbonate is baking soda. Where did that come from?

About all can say at this point is.. do your own research.

I know this is a little off topic but I feel the need to present what I know to be fact. Through the traditional process of softening water with a salt brine solution, the resulting softened water has sodium ions in it and it IS bad for your health. Just ask your doctor! Don't know where the sodium bicarbonate in the Culligan system comes from since, if it's a conventional water softening system, there is no bicarbonate to be had in the mix. Sodium bicarbonate is baking soda. Where did that come from?

from the Culligan site:

"Some consumers are concerned that drinking softened water will increase the level of sodium in their diet. Despite the myth, softening your water will not result in salty-tasting water. Sodium bicarbonate, which is different from sodium chloride (table salt), is formed through the water softening process."

Yes, I know Culligan sells soft water, and I'm sure someone will find a "Doctor" who will say not to drink it, but I guess we all believe whom we choose to.

Will your conditioner remove the sodium from the softened water? If not, you don't want to consume any of the treated water. A reverse osmosis system will remove the sodium but limits the capacity of water available for use. So, in other words, there will be enough ro treated water for drinking but not for any other use.

Aluminum vs magnesium
Aluminum is best in hard water areas as it will last longer but can collect calcium/scale deposits which make it difficult to remove.
Magnesium is best with softened water.....but it can cause sulfur smell when it reacts with micros in water.

Check current one in 6 mos. after using portable softener and then decide if you need to change type of rod.

As long as it's deteriorating it's doing it's job

Thank you. Since it lasts longer, is it protecting my water heater like it should?