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[cjf12]

Does anyone here use a storage tank for thier domestic hot water?  Currently i am using a hot water heater and it is beginning to leak.  I have no need of the elements and such, I simply need an insulated tank.  I would think just a tank would be cheaper and last a little longer.  Any thoughts and if so where are you getting them.

[hondaracer2oo4]

Just get a used water heater  off craigslist that is a couple years old. You can usually find them for about $100 or less.

[cjf12]

They only seem to last for about 8 years at the most.  Hate to put one in just to replace it in a year or two.

[hondaracer2oo4]

I had one in my rental property that I believe was installed in the 80's and I just had to replace it 2 years ago. It is on city water which is what I believe made the difference. I think that if you replace the anode rods when they need to be replaced you can get many years out of them.

[cjf12]

Ignorant to the anode rods.  Where are they and how often do you replace them?

[ITO]

 We've used this for 11 years now, I have it hooked up so my indoor gas boiler heats it all off season and the OWB heats it the rest of the year. Has worked flawless for us, always have plenty of hot water, very simple, can't remember what I paid for it back in 03 but I have a 40 gallon unit. If you want I could go through my receipts and find the old price but I am sure they are more now.
http://www.htproducts.com/superstor-ultra-waterheater.html

[ITO]

 There are no anode rods if you have stainless, copper, brass and others but if you have soft metals then anode rods are used to sacrifice themselves instead of the moving water destroying the soft metal. All moving water has an electrical property which attacks some metals, anode rods are common in metallic water heaters.

[Sprinter]

Believe it or not, anode rods make a big difference in potable water tanks. With a closed system probably not so much, because the water is stabilized, not seeing a full exchange every time you shower for instance. An open system would probably be more susceptible, but that's just a guess. Either way it can't hurt that's for sure, but it would want a nice strainer in line for when the anode dissolves into those little gel beads you get when flushing.
I love the super store tanks, those things rock. I have a 30 and a 0011 pump. Never ending shower , even with the grohe body sprays. They last. Forever. Stainless steel. 160 degrees and a mixing valve.
If you have a scrap yard you can find an electric tank, just figuring out whether it leaks or not is the problem. 1" element taps for the boiler, and 4-3/4" taps. Makes a perfect hydraulic separator with a dirt flush port and air separator. Or buffer tank. So many options to do with a buffer/ hydraulic separator. Could even weld in more taps for lower temp needs. I've even used them for storage with Rinnai tankless heaters for huge dump loads, and or emergency back up heat source system.