Sacrificial Anodes

[Bogartmypool]

I knew about sacrificial anodes in water heaters but I just found out my Raypak heater has one too. It says to replace it when it is 40% of the initial 1.5 lbs but I don't have a scale that can measure it. Is there a time measurement? It is 3 years old. I have also read (in earlier TFP threads) that anodes in your skimmer basket are cheaper and are just as good. But, there must be a return current path for the electrons to flow from the anode to the material it is protecting. The ones on the heaters are grounded which makes sense. How can a skimmer basket anode work without a ground?

 

[ajw22]

I knew about sacrificial anodes in water heaters but I just found out my Raypak heater has one too. It says to replace it when it is 40% of the initial 1.5 lbs but I don't have a scale that can measure it. Is there a time measurement?

No time. Just weight....

I have also read (in earlier TFP threads) that anodes in your skimmer basket are cheaper and are just as good.

Maybe those were very old threads. Sacrificial anodes were a thing at one time but they have proven to not be useful and protect the general pool area.

But, there must be a return current path for the electrons to flow from the anode to the material it is protecting. The ones on the heaters are grounded which makes sense. How can a skimmer basket anode work without a ground?

No, the anode needs to be electrically connected to the metal it is supposed to be protecting.

What metal in your inground pool would an anode in the skimmer be protecting?

 

[proavia]

You can get a small kitchen scale pretty cheap on Amazon.
It will come in handy for measuring granular CYA and other items as well.

 

[Bogartmypool]

I am only trying to protect the heater element from the salt water corrosion.

 

[ajw22]

I am only trying to protect the heater element from the salt water corrosion.

Most heaters don’t have anodes and do fine.

If you believe in anodes then replace it.

If you are not a believer then ignore it.

Your heater will last about the same time either way.

 

[Newdude]

I am only trying to protect the heater element from the salt water corrosion

Good thing you have a freshwater pool then.

Salinity - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[1poolman1]

I am only trying to protect the heater element from the salt water corrosion.

There is not even close to enough salt in a pol with a SWG to cause an issue with a pool heater. Human tears are about 10,000PPM salt. Pool water with proper level is in the 3000 - 4000PPM range. True "saltwater," as in the oceans, is about 35,000PPM and may cause damage.