Suburban Water Heater

[RobWNY]

I emptied my Water Heater today to begin winterizing my camper. When I took out the anode rod, it was pretty bad so I need to get a new one. I guess they are only good for one season. Looking online, I found aluminum rods and Magnesium rods. Which should I buy? Also, I stuck my finger in the tank and there's debris on the bottom of the tank. It feels sandy. It's just near where the anode rod gets threaded in. Is there a procedure to flush the tank better than just letting it drain? IS what I'm finding pretty normal?

[RobWNY]

Ok. I ordered a Magnesium anode rod and the water heater flush thing from Amazon. Thanks for your help Donn0128 and wa8yxm!

[wa8yxm]

If the garden hose is too big they make a smaller plastic "Nozzle" that is about a foot or so long for flushing out the tank, has an angled tip. Any RV place should have.

As to which type of anode you need. Check with surburan. make sure you have the MODEL number of your heater handy.. I'm unable to advise.

[donn0128]

Take your garden hose and stuff it in the hole and turn it on. If you happen to have a piece of plastic hose you could make something that screws onto a hose end, but still fits inside the tank and slosh it around to flush out the debris.
Get the magnesium anode. There is only a few dollars difference, so use the best you can find.