guk on water heater anode rod

[oldbeek]

Have clear gooey guk on the anode rod in my Hot water heater. I pull the rod and drain the heater at the end of every trip

[wa8yxm]

Short answer: That means the rod is working as designed.

[whiteeye42]

Normal just clean the rod and the water heater and re-install the rod good to go

[Old-Biscuit]

As Aluminum anode rods corrode they can produce an aluminum oxide deposit.
The aluminum oxide forms a virtually odorless "gel" substance that can vary in texture from a firm somewhat sticky curd to a thick running slurry.
The gel can be either milky or clear.
Typical with higher PH water source.

Flush and rinse WH

Change to Magnesium Rod........but they can dissolve quicker so check routinely to get an idea of life span.
Also they can react with high sulfur content water source and produce Hydrogen Sulfide Gas ----Rotten Egg Smell.

[Dakota98]

Seems to me there was a posting very similar to yours a couple months ago. Might do a search & see if you can find it.